We are experts at resolving matters amicably to ensure everyone returns to a happy, safe and stable environment. When children are involved, their interest remains paramount.

You are not alone, nor are you the first! The divorce attorneys at our firm have seen our clients through some of the most bitter divorces imaginable.

How to Prepare for a Divorce

The Three Types of Divorce

Prior to your consultation, consider which type of divorce is best for you. The three types of divorce are contested, uncontested and amicable.

Contested Divorce

If you and your spouse are unable to agree on factors such as sharing debt, paying alimony or whether custody of children should be shared, then a contested divorce is likely the method to resolution in your case.

Uncontested Divorce

In an uncontested divorce, both parties have agreed upon the terms of the divorce in advance and simply need the assistance of a skilled divorce attorney to correctly file the paperwork. Terms that need to be fully agreed upon (if applicable) include:

• Asset Division
• Debt Division
• Alimony
• Child Custody
• Child Support
• Visitation

Amicable Divorce

An amicable divorce is a low-conflict divorce that is handled out of court.

When you come in for your initial consultation, you do not need to bring anything with you. However, feel free to bring any documents that you believe are important to your divorce case including tax returns, credit card or bank statements, emails and written documents.

High Asset Divorces

Business Valuation & Division

Patterson Moore Butler is a law firm that business owners can rely on to protect their assets and businesses during a divorce.

Business owners who seek our counsel are able to operate their businesses freely while we work in the background to ensure that their business and its assets are maintained as part of their divorce settlement.

If you are the spouse of a business owner, our focus is to make sure you are awarded your fair share of the business. When required, we have forensic evaluators or CPAs to verify that the business is properly valued, and that assets and expenses have not been hidden.

Divorce Mediation

In most counties in the state of Georgia, mediation is required prior to a final hearing or a trial in a contested divorce case. Divorce mediation occurs after the discovery phase, so both spouses will have access to information and documents requested as part of discovery.

Ironically, even during an intense contested divorce, spouses are better able to negotiate the terms of their divorce through a neutral mediator and avoid the need for an unpredictiable hearing before a judge or jury trial. This saves time and preserves assets for both spouses that would otherwise be spent on a bitter and often times disappointing court battle.

Let us shepherd you through this complicated and unpredictable legal process including alimony and child support using tactful negotiation to ultimately arrive at a lasting and binding resolution. That said, if it is not possible to reach an agreement out of court, we are prepared to go to trial and present your case.