How Does Georgia Determine Equitable Distribution of Marital Assets?

It's an interesting fact that a recent article in Brides magazines focused on how to divide marital assets in a divorce. The fact is, that 50% of marriages do end in divorce. When a couple in Georgia decides to divorce, they have to decide how to divide their marital property and debts. Georgia is what’s called an equitable distribution state, which means that the assets from your marriage are fairly divided based on the financial contributions of each party in the relationship. But there’s more to the process of deciding just what is ‘equitable’ than you might think. 

Georgia Marital Property Law 

Marital property law in Georgia is different from that in many other states but is designed to make the distribution of assets and wealth as fair as possible to both parties. Equitable distributions of assets is intended to protect the interests of the party who has earned or in other ways contributed the most throughout the marriage while also providing for the party who has earned or contributed less. Property acquired during a marriage is to be equitably divided between the spouses, although the property’s division is not always an equal split. 

What Is Considered Marital Property in Georgia?

In general, all property that is acquired by either party during the course of the marriage is considered marital property. That means even if only one party is listed on the title for the property, it is considered ‘marital property.’

Your marital property could include gifts, retirement accounts, homes, cars, savings accounts and any other assets or debts that either of the parties currently has. But there are a few things that are not considered marital property.

• First, property that either party brought into the marriage that they acquired before the marriage MAY be considered separate property, but this is not guaranteed and each asset must be evaluated to see if it qualifies as true separate property. 
• Anything that they received as a gift from someone who is not their spouse, or an inheritance that was given to them, is typically protected as separate property as well. 
• Also, a prenuptial agreement may stipulate other assets or debts (even those acquired after the marriage) that are considered separate property.

It's important to note that equitable distribution does not mean an equal division of marital assets. Equitable means fair, and fair doesn’t always mean equal.

What Does Equitable Distribution Mean?

Equitable distribution is about determining who is entitled to what portion of the assets in the marriage, based on what they have brought into the marriage. It includes things like: 

• the income that each party had prior to the marriage and throughout the marriage
• the length of the marriage
• financial needs of each party
• who is the custodial parent 
• the needs of the minor children and even things like the cause of divorce 

When evaluating each of these factors the judge will determine what percentage or amount of the marital assets each party is entitled to. This is different from community property states where anything that exists within the marriage is considered to be equally owned by both parties.

In community property states if there is $10,000 in the bank account and one party makes $100,000 a year and the other party makes $50,000 a year it does not matter. Both parties would be entitled to $5,000 (half). Georgia is not an equitable distribution state, not a community property state. Equitable distribution means that the amount of money each contributed toward that $10,000 would be considered as well. 

Do I Need a Lawyer to Ensure An Equitable Distribution of Assets?

In Georgia, there are no set rules used by judges to determine what is a fair division of marital assets. The short answer is that you absolutely should have a lawyer who can help you with a fair and equitable distribution of your assets. Keep in mind that equitable and equal are not the same thing. This means you will need to be able to prove what you are entitled to and a lawyer will be an essential piece of the puzzle in this process. A skilled divorce lawyer can negotiate on your behalf to make sure that you get what you’re entitled to in your divorce.  

Learn More:

• Is Georgia a Community Property State?

Georgia Divorce & Property Divison Lawyer Sharon Jackson

During divorce proceedings, you want to make sure that your rights are protected and that you receive a fair and equitable division of your assets. An experienced divorce lawyer will negotiate and fight for your interests to ensure optimal property distribution. 

Sharon Jackson has years of experience handling complex property division settlements and trials. Contact us now at (678) 436-3636 and book an appointment to discuss your case.