How Much Does it Cost to File for Legal Separation?
There are many benefits to a separate maintenance action over divorce. The cost of a separate maintenance action will depend on whether or not the parties agree to the terms, just like a divorce action.
However, in a divorce action, it is likely that the parties will be more contentious and that will likely cause the costs to escalate. Whether you are low-, middle-, or high-income, there are many other benefits of filing for a separate maintenance action, including the following.
Maintaining benefits of marriage
Marriage comes with a number of financial benefits, such as tax savings, medical coverage under a spouse’s employee insurance plan, and more.
You have not been a state resident for very long
Under Georgia code 19-5-2, the residency requirement for filing for divorce is six months. If you have not been a resident for at least six months, you may not divorce. However, no residency minimum time limit is set for separate maintenance agreements.
Religious or cultural beliefs
Many people cannot get a divorce without violating their religious or cultural beliefs, or harming their relationship with their community or family.