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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.

Who Gets the Dog? Pet Plans That Don’t Turn Peace Into War

The furry third rail of “friendly” divorce You split the furniture, you mapped the parenting schedule, you even agreed on the refinance. Then four words blow it up: “But he’s my dog.”Pets carry real emotion. In Georgia, they’re treated as property in divorce, but...

Miss This Window, Lose Your Voice: Uncontested Legitimation Explained

The headline no one tells dads You can love your child, be on the birth certificate, and still have no legal say about school, doctors, travel, or where your child lives. In Georgia, if you weren’t married to the mother at birth, you must complete legitimation to be...

One Lawyer for Both of Us? The “Neutral Attorney” Myth

The tempting shortcut that isn’t a shortcut When a couple is calm and cooperative, the idea pops up:“Can one lawyer just do everything for both of us?” Short answer: No. In Georgia, one attorney can’t ethically represent two people whose legal interests may differ in...

Paper Trail, Peace of Mind: The 30-Day Proof Plan That Ends Money Fights

Why “trust me” collapses after the first bill You meant it when you said you’d keep things friendly. Then the mortgage auto-pays, a medical bill arrives, and a streaming subscription renews on the wrong card. Without a clear proof routine, even kind people end up...

Can Respect Survive the Move-Out? The Polite Person’s Guide to Temporary Separation

“Can you stay somewhere else for a bit?”It sounds reasonable. You want the tension to drop, the kids to relax, the house to feel calm again. But the way you leave matters more than why. In Georgia, possession (who’s living there) can shape everything from bill paying...

Friendly… Until the Fine Print: 10 Tiny Clauses That Change Everything

Uncontested divorces are won or lost in the margins. Not on who keeps the house, but on one-liners that control how fast things happen, who pays, and what happens if plans fall through. If you want a drama-free divorce that stays drama-free, sharpen these ten...

One Bank Account, Two Lives: Your 10-Day Money Detox After Filing

Signing the settlement is not the finish line for your finances. Autopays keep running, joint cards keep syncing, and one missed mortgage hits both credit scores. The fix is speed plus structure. Use this 10-day plan to unwind cleanly in Georgia and keep your...

He Says “Skip Child Support”—Will the Court Even Allow That?

You can agree on houses, cars, even dogs—but you can’t just wave away child support. In Georgia, support is the child’s right, not a bargaining chip between adults. Judges approve orders that protect kids, follow the Georgia Child Support Worksheet, and explain any...

No Judge, No Drama: Can We Finalize 100% Outside Court?

The Dream: Sign, File, Finalize… Without Stepping in Court You want a clean, quiet divorce. No hallway anxiety. No waiting for your name to be called. The good news: in many uncontested Georgia cases, if your paperwork is complete and county-compliant, the judge can...

Keep the House, Lose Your Credit? The Refinance Clause Everyone Gets Wrong

The Myth That Torches Credit You want the house. Your ex agrees. The line gets added: “Spouse will refinance when able.”Looks friendly. Reads reasonable. Enforces nothing.If the loan stays in both names, one missed payment dings both credit scores, blocks future...

Recent Posts

He’s Not a Bad Dad—But I Still Want Full Custody

You’ve likely been told: “If he’s not abusive, you should split time.” “You’ll look bitter if you push for full custody.” “Don’t take the kids from their dad—it’s not fair.” But here’s the reality: you can respect your co-parent and still ask for full custody.It’s not...

Stop Paying for Peace: How to Protect Yourself Without Going Broke

Being reasonable doesn’t mean being a doormat. Too often, people enter divorce or custody agreements thinking if they’re just nice enough, quiet enough, or generous enough, it’ll all work out. But here's the truth:Being agreeable doesn’t mean giving everything away....

She’s Not ‘Letting You See the Kids’—You Have Rights

It’s Time to Reclaim the Narrative We hear it too often: “She’s letting me see the kids this weekend.”“She won’t let me FaceTime him.”“She said I can’t come to the birthday party.” If you’re an unmarried father in Georgia, this might sound familiar. But here’s what...

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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.