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Who Gets the House in a Divorce in Georgia

Ardemis Properties • Jan 13, 2023

In Georgia, property division during divorce is governed by court cases instead of legislative statutes. Georgia courts will generally distinguish between what's marital property and what's separate property. Marital property is defined as those assets acquired during the marriage, like real estate, stocks and bonds, cars, income, and some insurance policies. Assets defined as the separate property will normally include property acquired before marriage, gifts, inheritances, and items you and your spouse agree are separate property.


The verdict of the jury disposing of the property in a divorce case shall be carried into effect by the court by entering such judgment or decree or taking such other steps as are usual in the exercise of the court's equitable powers to execute effectually and fully the jury's verdict.

Does a Spouse Need to Move Out During a Divorce?

While divorce processes are pending, it is usual for one spouse to urge the other to leave the marital residence. The residence, however, remains marital property until a court decree states otherwise. This implies that both spouses have equal rights to the house and that neither may kick the other out while the divorce is still pending. If one spouse alleges domestic violence and files for a protection order together with a request for exclusive possession of the residence, there is an exception. 


If the court issues this order, the other spouse will be required to leave the residence even if the divorce is still pending.

Dividing the House During a Divorce

First, you must evaluate if the residence is a separate or shared property. Separate property refers to assets that each spouse possesses, such as inheritance and items purchased before marriage. These assets are not divisible and remain the sole property of the owner. Meanwhile, shared property refers to assets both couples jointly possess, including items purchased during the marriage. 


Even though only one name is on the title, if the couple purchased their marital house during their marriage, it is community property. Similarly, if one partner purchased the house before they married but the other contributed to it in other ways, such as improvements, the house may become a communal property and be divided.

Who Gets the Marital Residence in a Divorce in Georgia?

If you're wondering who gets the house in a divorce in Georgia, there are various options for dividing the marital house or deciding who gets to retain it. One option is for the couple to agree on how to divide the property. They can then present their agreement to the court for approval. Similarly, if the couple has a prenuptial or post-nuptial agreement that specifies how the property will be divided, this arrangement will most likely take effect upon divorce. 


If one spouse wishes to keep the home, they may persuade the other party to agree by purchasing the other party's rights to the property or providing them with other assets of equivalent value. Other assets may include cars, savings, jewelry, and other expensive objects. If the partners cannot agree and the divorce goes to trial, the court must decide what happens to the marital house. The judge may order that the house be sold, and the money split fairly among the parties. 


Alternatively, the judge may give the residence to one of the spouses, particularly if that spouse has child custody. In this scenario, the court may give the other spouse extra assets to make the property divide equitable. If you are concerned about the split of your marital home in Georgia, it is advisable to contact an expert divorce lawyer as soon as possible to safeguard your interests.

Tips for Selling Your House During a Divorce

Acknowledge Your Emotions to Remain Rational

You may be attempting to determine if you want to sell or maintain the property. Because you won't be living together, you must agree on the ultimate choice of what to do with the house. If only one person will be living there with the children, maintaining the house may be the best option. However, it may become too expensive for them to maintain with their lower salary.


Examine the situation as objectively as possible in order to make the best option for all parties concerned.

Consider the Costs of Not Selling the House

Even if you believe retaining the house would be best for your children, consider the costs of home ownership. You must consider the other assets you are giving up if you decide to keep the home. Since the house may be your most expensive asset, there will be a significant give-in to balance out the marital assets and divide them equally. Another crucial factor to consider is the carrying costs for the home moving forward. 


You must pay for repairs and upkeep in addition to your mortgage payment. There are also utility, insurance, and other expenditures to consider. It may be more than you want or need with one salary and one less person living in the house. Consider talking to a financial advisor to understand your ability to afford the known and unknown costs.

Think about who owns the property

It's not always easy to sell a property in Georgia following a divorce. First, evaluate who owns the land. Both parties must agree to the transaction if their names are on the property. If the property is owned by only one person or was acquired by one person prior to your marriage, that individual may have sole authority to decide what to do with it. 


Property ownership rules differ per state, which is why it is vital to understand how it works in Georgia. Because this is a serious legal problem, it is important to consult with an attorney about your rights to the house.

Sell quickly in Order to Go Forward

If you both agree that you need to sell the house, you'll want to sell it as soon as possible. Your divorce will not be completed until all issues have been resolved. With a standard sale, you'll have to deal with open houses, home tours, offers, and the expenditures involved, which means you and your spouse will have to work together to make a choice. If you don't get along, a difficult decision might become even more difficult. 


In this instance, you should consider other alternatives, such as selling to a cash house buyer.

Consider How a Cash Home Buyer Can Assist You

A cash buyer is the quickest and easiest option to sell your property during a divorce. Cash buyers do not need to go through lenders to obtain financing, which might shorten the process. They are not frightened by difficult situations, attorneys, or court battles. They give a reasonable cash payment and will even handle most of the paperwork to get you out of the house and move on with your divorce as soon as possible.

Options for Selling Your House During a Divorce in Georgia

If the judge orders both of you to sell the house and split the money equally, you can sell it to a cash home buyer. You can also opt to sell the house through a real estate agent, but the process may take weeks or months. After going through the divorce process, you may want to get rid of the house as quickly as possible, and selling to a Newnan We Buy Houses Company will speed up the process. This will ensure that you and your spouse can quickly move on with your lives. 


If you need to sell your house fast in Newnan, during a divorce, you will experience the following

Minimal Stress

There is a lot of stress involved in selling your property the traditional way. You don't need to deal with this stress if you're also trying to get a divorce. You must manage any modifications and repairs and clean and prepare the space for viewings. You must also hire a real estate agent, oversee the inspection and appraisal process, and maintain your house clean even if you still live there. 


On top of that, you have to worry about the buyer changing their mind or the mortgage lender refusing to fund the transaction. Selling your property for cash might drastically lessen your stress and the amount of overhead you have if you don't want to drag out the selling process or just want to sell quickly so you can move on sooner.

Avoid Too Much Paperwork

The standard selling procedure involves a lot of paperwork, which may be complex and time-consuming. The quantity of documentation you must carefully read and sign in the correct places can be intimidating, and even the smallest error can cost you in the long run. Working with a trustworthy cash house buyer eliminates the need to handle paperwork since they do it for you. Keep in mind that not all cash homebuyers have access to this service, so check references and reviews to see how they assist buyers with the paperwork and closing process.

Save On Commission Fees

In addition to the expenses of preparing your house for sale on the market, real estate brokers charge a commission fee, which cuts into your earnings. Depending on the agent, this commission may be too high, minimizing the profit you make from the sale. You don't have to worry about paying a real estate agent when you sell to a cash buyer. Remember to keep an eye out for hidden costs since cash buyers might surprise you when you least expect it. Overall, the cash buyer will give you a cash offer, and if you accept it, you will get the entire amount from the sale.

Avoid an Appraisal

Many consumers prefer cash sales because they avoid the hassle of an assessment. This can be very beneficial when getting a divorce. Mortgage lenders require traditional purchasers to go through the appraisal procedure to reduce risk and evaluate the home's worth. A poor appraisal value may cause the mortgage lender to refuse to grant finance for the house, discouraging most purchasers. 


The advantage of a cash transaction is that it eliminates the need for an appraisal. You don't have to be concerned about missing out on a sale because of your home's assessment value. Furthermore, cash home buyers buy your home in whatever condition it is in, eliminating the need for an appraisal.

Save on Repair Costs

Repairs might be a big hurdle for many people selling on the market. This may apply to you if you're in the process of getting a divorce. A professional assessment might reveal the need for several essential repairs, which will cost you a fortune. Depending on the severity of the problems, you'll have to considerably reduce your asking price if you don't complete the repairs. 


When you sell your house for cash, you can sell it as-is, regardless of its condition. You won't have to worry about investing money in repairs or modifications that may cost you more money than a standard sale. You won't even need to prepare or clean your property to display it to possible buyers, which might be difficult if you have a job, pets, or children and still dealing with divorce proceedings.

Endnote

During a divorce in Georgia, you must divide the property according to the principle of equitable distribution. This means you must divide the property according to what is fair. Instead of dividing marital property equally in Georgia, the judge may examine various factors to reach a conclusion. If the judge orders both you and your spouse to sell your home, the tips above will simplify the process and help you avoid dealing with additional stress while trying to get a divorce. 


For instance, you can sell your home to a cash house buyer if you want the sale completed quickly. In addition, this option allows you to avoid dealing with repairs and excessive paperwork. Further, you can enjoy all the above benefits by opting to sell your house to a cash home buyer in Georgia.

Give us a call anytime at 832-506-8040 or fill out this quick form to get started today!

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