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Read Catherine Ryan’s perspective on divorce and personal injury law to understand steps you can take to protect your legal rights.

The Divorce Survival List: 7 Things to Remember

A divorce attorney’s words of encouragement for the road ahead. If you’re reading this in the middle of a divorce, there’s a good chance your life feels a little unrecognizable right now. The future may feel uncertain. Your emotions may be taking turns driving the…

Uncontested Doesn’t Stop at Divorce

Approaching Family Law Matters Without Unnecessary Warfare When people hear the phrase “uncontested family law,” they usually think of one thing: Divorce. And yes—uncontested divorce is a major part of what I do. But it’s far from the only thing. Because life keeps…

Myth & Order: The “If We Agree, We Don’t Need Attorneys” Myth

⚖ THE MYTH “We agree on everything, so we really don’t need lawyers.” This one usually starts with good intentions. Two people decide they want to handle things “like adults.”No fighting. No courtroom drama. No expensive legal war. And genuinely? I respect that…

Keeping the Peace Shouldn’t Mean Losing Yourself

There’s a moment that happens in a lot of divorces. Usually somewhere between emotional exhaustion and “I just want this over with.” One person leans back in the chair and says: “Fine. They can have it.” The house.The furniture.The retirement account.Extra parenting…

The Art of (Not Going to) War

If you’re both reading this—whether together, separately, or somewhere in between—I want to speak to you as two people, not two sides. Because that’s where this starts. Not in a courtroom.Not in a legal strategy session. But with two people trying to figure out how to…

Slow Down to Speed Up: Why Rushed Divorces Often Take Longer—and Cost More

There’s a moment in almost every divorce where urgency takes over. “I just want this done.”“As fast as possible.”“Whatever it takes.” It’s completely understandable. Divorce is uncomfortable. Uncertain. Emotionally draining. Of course you want out. But here’s the…

The Fork in the Road

No one wakes up hoping to navigate a divorce. And yet, here you are—facing decisions that will shape your finances, your time, your family, and your future. It’s a lot. So instead of making this more complicated, let’s simplify it. At its core, there are two paths…

Myth & Order: The Fair Fight Myth

If It’s Fair, It Has to Be a Battle There’s a phrase people cling to in divorce like a life raft: “I just want what’s fair.” Reasonable enough. Fairness is the goal, right? But somewhere along the way, that idea gets… distorted. Because for many people, “fair” quietly…

Signed Isn’t the Same as Settled

Uncontested Divorce: Less Drama. More Closure. There’s a moment people imagine when they think about divorce. The papers are signed.The judge approves it.It’s over. Cue the emotional exhale. Closure achieved. Life neatly reset. But here’s the truth, spoken plainly:…

It’s “Just Paperwork”… Until It Isn’t

The Hidden Risk of DIY Divorce in Georgia There’s a phrase I hear more often than you might expect: “It’s uncontested. We agree on everything. It’s just paperwork.” I understand where that comes from. If you and your spouse are on the same page, it should be simple….

He Stopped Paying—Now What? How to Handle Missed Child Support

Jul 28, 2025 | Alimony & Child Support

You’ve got a custody agreement. You’ve got a child support order. Things seemed settled—until the payments stopped coming. If this is happening to you, take a breath. You’re not alone, and you’re not powerless. Life happens—job loss, relocation, or just plain…

Caught in the Middle? What to Do When Family & Friends Pressure Your Divorce Choices

Jul 26, 2025 | Divorce

Divorce is hard enough on its own—but throw in a chorus of opinions from family, friends, and that cousin who thinks she’s a lawyer, and suddenly your private decision feels like a group project. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by outside pressure during your…

What If My Child Doesn’t Want to Come With Me?: When Custody Battles Get Emotional

Jul 24, 2025 | Alimony & Child Support

When Love Gets Complicated by Custody Let’s be honest—divorce is tough enough. But when your child doesn’t want to come with you during your court-ordered time, it hits differently. It’s not just about the legal process anymore. It’s about your heart. This isn’t…

My Kid Doesn’t Want to Come With Me—Now What?

Jul 22, 2025 | Alimony & Child Support

Let’s set the scene: you’re the financially stable parent. You’ve got a court order saying your child is supposed to be with you every other weekend—or maybe full-time. But when it’s time for the visit or transition? Your child refuses. They cry, they cling to the…

Birthday Battles: The Surprising Truth About Who Gets to Celebrate With Your Kids After Divorce

Jul 20, 2025 | Alimony & Child Support

Kids shouldn’t have to pick between cake and conflict. Birthdays are supposed to be magical—balloons, cake, laughter, and maybe a meltdown or two (from the kids, not the adults!). But when you’re navigating a divorce or custody split, something as joyful as a birthday…

Who Gets the Dog? How Georgia Law Handles Pets in Divorce

Jul 18, 2025 | Divorce

They were both your fur baby and your family. But now that you’re splitting up, who gets custody of the dog? Or the cat? Or the parrot who talks back like your ex? In Georgia, pets are considered property, not people. And that changes everything about how courts…

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Attorney Catherine Verdery Ryan | Divorce, Family Law, Personal Injury

Catherine Ryan is the best attorney in the Augusta area for your uncontested divorce and legitimation cases. With over 30 years of experience, she’s the attorney who will advocate for your rights.