ga-family-law · diff
v0.1.0 to v0.1.0
470 added, 29 removed. Audit A to A.
---
name: ga-family-law
description: >
- Subject-matter bundle for Georgia family-law substance: divorce / annulment / legal separation / custody / child support / parenting plan / property distribution / maintenance. Substantive law of Georgia's family code.
+ Use for Georgia family-law matters — divorce, equitable division of
+ marital property, child custody, parenting plans, child support,
+ alimony, family-violence protective orders, legitimation, and
+ paternity. Covers the 13 grounds for divorce (O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3)
+ including no-fault "irretrievably broken", the 6-month residency
+ rule (§ 19-5-2), equitable distribution (*Stokes*; § 19-5-13), the
+ income-shares child-support guidelines (§ 19-6-15), best-interests
+ custody with the mandatory parenting plan (§§ 19-9-3, 19-9-1) and the
+ age-14 child-election quirk, alimony with the adultery/desertion bar
+ (§§ 19-6-1, 19-6-5), the Family Violence Act / TPO (§ 19-13-1 et
+ seq.), the UCCJEA (§§ 19-9-40 to 19-9-104), UIFSA, common-law
+ marriage abolition (§ 19-3-1.1), and legitimation vs. paternity
+ (§§ 19-7-22, 19-7-40). Triggers: "file for divorce in Georgia",
+ "Georgia child support calculator", "equitable division", "custody
+ best interests Georgia", "modify alimony", "TPO Georgia".
version: 0.1.0
---
- # Georgia Family Law
-
- > **TODO**: Author substantive content. This is a scaffolded
- > stub. Research the Georgia analog from authoritative sources
- > before writing — do not search-and-replace from another
- > state plugin.
+ # Georgia Family Law — Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Alimony
> **NOT LEGAL ADVICE.** This subject-matter bundle describes
> a procedural and substantive framework for Georgia cases in
> this area, not legal advice and not strategic advice for
> any specific case. Outcomes are fact-specific; the choice
> of defenses, claims, motions, and discovery belongs to the
> litigant (and any counsel the litigant retains). Verify
> every rule, deadline, and citation against current law
- > before filing.
+ > before filing. Family-law cases carry significant
+ > long-term consequences for property, children, and finances
+ > — strongly consider consulting a licensed Georgia
+ > family-law attorney even on a "simple" divorce.
- ## State context
+ This bundle covers the principal Georgia domestic-relations matters:
+ **divorce** (dissolution of marriage), **equitable division of
+ property**, **child custody and parenting plans**, **child support**,
+ **alimony** (spousal support), **family-violence protective orders**,
+ **legitimation**, and **paternity**.
- - **State**: Georgia
- - **Format rule**: O.C.G.A. § 9-11-10 + Uniform Superior Court Rules
- - **Civil rules**: Georgia Civil Practice Act (O.C.G.A. Title 9, Ch. 11)
- - **Evidence rules**: Georgia Evidence Code (O.C.G.A. Title 24)
- - **Style manual**: Georgia appellate citation (Bluebook-based)
+ Georgia family law is codified primarily in **O.C.G.A. Title 19**
+ (Domestic Relations). Divorce, custody, alimony, and equitable
+ division are heard in the **Superior Court** (O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1).
+ Procedure runs on the Georgia Civil Practice Act (O.C.G.A. Title 9,
+ Ch. 11) and the Uniform Superior Court Rules.
- ## What to author
+ ## Snapshot — Georgia family-law principles
- 1. Description: replace the placeholder with realistic trigger
- phrases for how a Georgia pro se filer would ask about this
- 2. Body: substantive content matching the role
- 3. Composition notes: which other ga- skills this layers
- with
- 4. References: the supporting `references/*.md` files
+ - **Divorce grounds**: O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3 lists **13 grounds** — 12
+ fault grounds plus the no-fault ground (#13) that the marriage is
+ **"irretrievably broken."** *Harwell v. Harwell*, 233 Ga. 89
+ (1974), construes "irretrievably broken." A no-fault petition under
+ § 19-5-3(13) cannot result in a divorce **until at least 30 days
+ after the date of service** on the respondent.
+ - **Residency**: a party must have been a **bona fide resident of
+ Georgia for six months** before filing (O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2). A
+ person stationed on a Georgia military post for one year is treated
+ as a resident.
+ - **Venue**: Superior Court of the **respondent's county** of
+ residence (O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2; constitutional venue for divorce).
+ - **Parties**: in a Georgia divorce the moving party is the
+ **PETITIONER** and the other spouse is the **RESPONDENT**.
+ - **Property — equitable distribution**: Georgia is an
+ **equitable-distribution** state, **not** a community-property
+ state. *Stokes v. Stokes*, 246 Ga. 765, 273 S.E.2d 169 (1980),
+ recognized equitable division of marital property; § 19-5-13
+ governs the award. **Separate property** (gifts, inheritance, and
+ pre-marital assets) is generally **not** divided (O.C.G.A.
+ § 19-3-9) unless it has been **commingled** into the marital
+ estate.
+ - **Child support — income shares**: O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 uses the
+ **income-shares** model. Combine both parents' adjusted gross
+ monthly income, apply the **Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO)**
+ table, then prorate by each parent's income share.
+ - **Custody — best interests**: O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3. **No presumption**
+ in favor of either parent or any form of custody; the **judge (not
+ a jury)** decides; a **parenting plan is mandatory** (§ 19-9-1).
+ - **Alimony — discretionary**: O.C.G.A. § 19-6-1 et seq. Alimony is
+ **authorized, not mandatory**, and is **barred** where the
+ separation was caused by the seeking party's **adultery or
+ desertion** (§ 19-6-1(b)).
+ - **Jurisdiction over children**: the **UCCJEA** (O.C.G.A.
+ §§ 19-9-40 to 19-9-104) governs which state may decide custody;
+ **UIFSA** (O.C.G.A. §§ 19-11-100 to 19-11-191) governs interstate
+ support.
+ - **Common-law marriage**: **abolished prospectively** — no
+ common-law marriage may be entered in Georgia **on or after
+ January 1, 1997** (O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1.1); valid pre-1997 common-law
+ marriages remain recognized.
- ## References to author
+ ## Filing path — Superior Court
- - Research the Georgia analog from authoritative sources
- before authoring; do NOT search-and-replace from another
- state plugin
+ Georgia divorce, custody, alimony, and equitable-division actions are
+ filed in the **Superior Court** (O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1), normally in the
+ county where the **respondent resides** (O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2). Some
+ high-volume circuits operate a dedicated **Family Division** by local
+ rule (Fulton and DeKalb have standing Family Divisions; Cobb and
+ Gwinnett run family case-management tracks). Family-division
+ assignment and local domestic-relations forms are **venue-specific** —
+ cross-reference `ga-family-court` and the relevant county venue skill.
- ## Cross-references
+ ## Case types within domestic relations
- - `ga-statewide-format` for format baseline
- - `ga-fulton` / `ga-cobb` / `ga-county-courts` for venue
- - `ga-pro-se` for pro se conventions
+ | Case type | Statute | When to use |
+ |---|---|---|
+ | Divorce (dissolution of marriage) | O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1 et seq. | Spouses seeking to legally end a valid marriage |
+ | Custody / parenting plan | O.C.G.A. §§ 19-9-1, 19-9-3 | Determination or modification of legal/physical custody and a parenting plan |
+ | Child support (establishment / modification) | O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 | Establish or modify a support obligation |
+ | Alimony | O.C.G.A. § 19-6-1 et seq. | Spousal support during or after divorce |
+ | Family-violence protective order (TPO) | O.C.G.A. § 19-13-1 et seq. | Protection from a family or household member |
+ | Legitimation | O.C.G.A. § 19-7-22 | An unwed biological father seeking parental rights |
+ | Paternity | O.C.G.A. § 19-7-40 et seq. | Establish biological fatherhood (chiefly for support) |
+
+ ## Divorce — the standard path
+
+ ### Step 1 — Verify grounds, residency, and venue
+
+ - **Grounds (O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3)**: thirteen grounds are available —
+ twelve fault grounds (including adultery, desertion, cruel
+ treatment, habitual intoxication, and others enumerated in the
+ statute) and the no-fault ground that the marriage is
+ **"irretrievably broken"** (§ 19-5-3(13)). Most pro se petitions
+ proceed on the no-fault ground. *Harwell v. Harwell*, 233 Ga. 89
+ (1974), is the controlling construction of "irretrievably broken."
+ - **Residency (O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2)**: confirm six months of bona fide
+ Georgia residency before filing. The court will dismiss for lack of
+ jurisdiction if the residency requirement is not met.
+ - **Venue**: file in the Superior Court of the **respondent's
+ county**.
+
+ ### Step 2 — File the Petition for Divorce
+
+ The **Petition for Divorce** identifies the parties (PETITIONER and
+ RESPONDENT), the marriage date, the date and county of separation,
+ any minor children, the grounds relied on, and the relief sought
+ (equitable division, alimony, custody, child support, restoration of
+ a former name, attorney's fees). Many circuits provide approved pro
+ se divorce packets; venue-specific forms are tracked in
+ `references/forms.md` and the venue skills.
+
+ ### Step 3 — Serve the Respondent
+
+ Service follows the Georgia Civil Practice Act (O.C.G.A. Title 9,
+ Ch. 11). The **30-day clock** embedded in § 19-5-3(13) runs from the
+ **date of service** — a no-fault divorce cannot be granted until at
+ least 30 days after the respondent is served. Where the respondent
+ acknowledges service and consents, an **uncontested** divorce can be
+ finalized shortly after the 30-day minimum; defaults and
+ service-by-publication cases take longer.
+
+ ### Step 4 — Temporary (pendente lite) relief
+
+ Either party may seek **temporary alimony, temporary child support,
+ temporary custody, exclusive use of the marital residence, and
+ restraints on dissipating assets** while the case is pending. The
+ temporary-alimony authority is O.C.G.A. § 19-6-3; attorney's fees in
+ divorce/alimony actions are authorized by § 19-6-2.
+
+ ### Step 5 — Financial disclosure and discovery
+
+ The parties exchange financial information needed to value the
+ marital estate and run the child-support worksheet. Use
+ `ga-discovery` for the mechanics; the child-support worksheet inputs
+ are described below.
+
+ ### Step 6 — Resolution: settlement agreement or trial
+
+ - **Uncontested / settled**: the parties sign a **Settlement
+ Agreement** (and a **Parenting Plan** if there are children); the
+ court can enter the **Final Judgment and Decree of Divorce** after
+ the 30-day minimum.
+ - **Contested**: the court (judge, **not** a jury, decides custody)
+ resolves equitable division, alimony, custody, and child support at
+ a final hearing or bench trial. Either party may demand a jury on
+ the issues a jury may hear in Georgia divorce (e.g., certain
+ property/alimony questions), but **custody is decided by the
+ judge** (§ 19-9-3).
+
+ ### Step 7 — Final Judgment and Decree
+
+ The decree confirms jurisdiction and residency, dissolves the
+ marriage, divides marital property and debt equitably, sets alimony
+ (if any), incorporates the Parenting Plan and a child-support order
+ with the worksheet attached, and restores a former name if requested.
+
+ ## Equitable division of property — O.C.G.A. § 19-5-13
+
+ Georgia divides **marital property equitably** — meaning **fairly**,
+ which is **not necessarily equally**. *Stokes v. Stokes*, 246 Ga.
+ 765, 273 S.E.2d 169 (1980), established equitable division as
+ Georgia's regime; § 19-5-13 governs the equitable award.
+
+ ### Marital vs. separate property
+
+ - **Marital property** — assets and debts acquired during the
+ marriage by the labor or investment of either spouse — is subject
+ to equitable division.
+ - **Separate property** — **gifts, inheritances, and pre-marital
+ assets** belonging to one spouse — is generally **not** divided
+ (O.C.G.A. § 19-3-9). The classic pitfall is **commingling**:
+ separate property that is mixed into the marital estate (e.g.,
+ inheritance deposited into a joint account and used for marital
+ purposes) can lose its separate character and become divisible.
+
+ ### How the court divides
+
+ The court considers the contributions of each spouse (including
+ homemaking and child-rearing), the conduct of the parties toward the
+ marital estate, the relative needs and circumstances of the parties,
+ and other equitable factors. Document the **source and tracing** of
+ any asset claimed as separate.
+
+ ## Child support — O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 (income-shares)
+
+ > ⚠ **A revised O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 took effect January 1, 2026, and
+ > is now the controlling statute.** Pull the **current** (post-Jan. 1,
+ > 2026) text of § 19-6-15 and use the current worksheet and tables —
+ > do not rely on figures or worksheet layouts from earlier versions.
+
+ Georgia uses the **income-shares** model. The mechanics:
+
+ 1. Determine each parent's **adjusted gross monthly income**.
+ 2. **Combine** both parents' adjusted gross income.
+ 3. Apply the **Basic Child Support Obligation (BCSO) table** to the
+ combined income and the number of children to find the presumptive
+ basic obligation. *(Verify current BCSO amounts against the
+ post-Jan. 1, 2026 § 19-6-15 schedule.)*
+ 4. **Prorate** the basic obligation between the parents in proportion
+ to each parent's share of the combined income.
+ 5. Apply **adjustments / add-ons**: the cost of the child's **health
+ insurance**, **work-related child care**, and a **parenting-time
+ adjustment**.
+
+ The result is the **rebuttable presumptive** amount. A court may
+ **deviate** from the presumptive amount, but a deviation requires
+ **written findings** explaining the basis and why the deviation
+ serves the child's best interest. A **self-support reserve /
+ low-income adjustment** protects a low-earning obligor.
+
+ ### Use the official calculator
+
+ The **Georgia Child Support Commission** publishes the official
+ **online child-support calculator and worksheet**
+ (csconlinecalc.georgiacourts.gov). Courts expect the worksheet to be
+ completed and submitted; run the numbers with the calculator and
+ attach the worksheet to the order. *(Confirm the calculator reflects
+ the post-Jan. 1, 2026 § 19-6-15 revisions before relying on output.)*
+
+ ### Modification — O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(k)
+
+ A child-support order may be **modified** on a substantial change in
+ circumstances. Section 19-6-15(k) recognizes modification where a
+ parent has suffered an **involuntary loss of income of 25% or more**,
+ among other triggers. Verify the current modification provisions in
+ the post-Jan. 1, 2026 statute.
+
+ ## Custody and parenting plans — O.C.G.A. §§ 19-9-1, 19-9-3
+
+ ### Best-interests standard
+
+ Custody is decided by the **best interests of the child** (O.C.G.A.
+ § 19-9-3). There is **no presumption** favoring either parent or any
+ particular custody arrangement, and the **judge — not a jury —**
+ decides custody. The court weighs the statutory factors at
+ **§ 19-9-3(a)(3)** (the parent-child bond, each parent's capacity to
+ provide for the child, home stability, the child's adjustment, and
+ the like). Where family violence is present, the child's **safety is
+ the primary consideration** (§ 19-9-3(a)(4)).
+
+ ### Mandatory parenting plan — O.C.G.A. § 19-9-1
+
+ A **parenting plan is mandatory** in any case involving custody. The
+ plan must address the **physical-custody schedule** (regular,
+ holiday, and vacation time), **decision-making authority** (education,
+ health, religion, extracurriculars), **transportation/exchange
+ arrangements**, and how the parents will resolve future disputes.
+
+ ### Child election — the Georgia age-14 quirk
+
+ Georgia gives older children a statutory voice in custody:
+
+ - **Age 14 and older (§ 19-9-3(a)(5))**: a child **may select** the
+ parent with whom the child wishes to live, and that **selection is
+ controlling unless the selected parent is determined not to be in
+ the child's best interest**. A child's election can constitute a
+ **material change in circumstances** sufficient to seek
+ modification — but the election may be exercised to modify custody
+ **only once within a two-year period**.
+ - **Ages 11–13 (§ 19-9-3(a)(6))**: the court **considers** the
+ child's desires and educational needs, but the child's choice is
+ **not controlling**, and the child's wishes **alone do not
+ constitute a material change** in circumstances.
+ - **Under 11**: the court may consider the child's wishes in its
+ discretion, but is not required to.
+
+ ### Modification of custody
+
+ Modification requires a **material change in circumstances**
+ affecting the child's welfare, after which the court re-applies the
+ best-interests standard. Section 19-9-3(i) provides protections
+ related to a parent's **military deployment**.
+
+ ## Alimony — O.C.G.A. § 19-6-1 et seq.
+
+ ### Authorized, not mandatory
+
+ Alimony is an **allowance for support** that a court **may** award —
+ it is **discretionary, not mandatory** (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-1(a)). Either
+ spouse may be the obligor.
+
+ ### The adultery / desertion bar — § 19-6-1(b)
+
+ Alimony is **barred** to a party whose **adultery or desertion caused
+ the separation**, proved by a **preponderance of the evidence**
+ (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-1(b)). This fault bar is a distinctive Georgia
+ feature — the conduct must be the cause of the separation.
+
+ ### The eight factors — § 19-6-5
+
+ When alimony is allowed, the amount and duration turn on the
+ **eight statutory factors** (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-5): the standard of
+ living during the marriage; the duration of the marriage; the age and
+ physical/emotional condition of each party; the financial resources
+ of each party; the time needed to acquire education or training to
+ find employment; the contributions of each party to the marriage
+ (including homemaking, child care, and assistance to the other
+ spouse's career); the earning capacity and fixed liabilities of each
+ party; and any other relevant equitable factors.
+
+ ### Temporary alimony and fees
+
+ **Pendente lite (temporary) alimony** while the case is pending is
+ authorized by O.C.G.A. § 19-6-3; **attorney's fees** in divorce and
+ alimony actions are authorized by O.C.G.A. § 19-6-2.
+
+ ### Termination and modification — § 19-6-19
+
+ Alimony **terminates upon the remarriage** of the recipient.
+ Post-decree, alimony is **modifiable** on a change in circumstances
+ under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-19, which also includes the Georgia
+ **cohabitation ("live-in lover") provision** — voluntary cohabitation
+ of the recipient with a third party in a meretricious relationship
+ can support modification or termination.
+
+ ## Family-violence protective orders (TPO) — O.C.G.A. § 19-13-1 et seq.
+
+ The **Family Violence Act** provides civil protective orders for
+ victims of family violence.
+
+ - **Definition and qualifying relationships (§ 19-13-1)**: "family
+ violence" covers certain acts — simple assault, battery, stalking,
+ criminal damage to property, unlawful restraint, criminal trespass,
+ and any felony — committed between people in a **qualifying
+ relationship** (current or former spouses, parents of the same
+ child, parents and children, stepparents and stepchildren, foster
+ parents and foster children, and others living or formerly living
+ in the same household). **Reasonable parental discipline is
+ excluded.**
+ - **Venue (§ 19-13-2)**: the petition is generally filed where the
+ **respondent resides**.
+ - **Ex parte TPO (§ 19-13-3)**: the court may issue an **ex parte
+ temporary protective order** lasting **up to 30 days**, with a
+ hearing required before the order can be extended.
+ - **Protective order (§ 19-13-4)**: after a hearing, the court may
+ enter a protective order for **up to one year**, **extendable to
+ three years or made permanent**. Available relief includes
+ **no-contact** directives, **exclusive use of the residence**,
+ **temporary custody and visitation**, **temporary support**, and
+ **possession of property**.
+ - **No filing fee**; the **GSCCCA** publishes the standard TPO forms
+ (the SC-15 / SC-16 series). Cross-reference `references/forms.md`.
+
+ ## Jurisdiction over children and interstate support
+
+ ### UCCJEA — O.C.G.A. §§ 19-9-40 to 19-9-104
+
+ The **Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act**
+ determines which state may make or modify a custody determination.
+ The general rule is **home-state jurisdiction** (O.C.G.A. § 19-9-61) —
+ the state where the child has lived with a parent for the six months
+ before the proceeding. **Temporary emergency jurisdiction** exists
+ where the child is present in Georgia and is abandoned or needs
+ protection from mistreatment or abuse (O.C.G.A. § 19-9-64).
+
+ ### UIFSA — O.C.G.A. §§ 19-11-100 to 19-11-191
+
+ The **Uniform Interstate Family Support Act** governs the
+ **establishment, enforcement, and modification of support orders
+ across state lines** and the rule of **continuing, exclusive
+ jurisdiction** over a support order.
+
+ ## Common-law marriage — O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1.1
+
+ Georgia **abolished common-law marriage prospectively**: **no**
+ common-law marriage may be **entered in Georgia on or after January
+ 1, 1997** (O.C.G.A. § 19-3-1.1). Common-law marriages **validly
+ formed before January 1, 1997** remain recognized. A party asserting
+ a pre-1997 common-law marriage in a divorce must plead and prove its
+ formation.
+
+ ## Legitimation vs. paternity
+
+ These are **different** proceedings and are frequently confused.
+
+ - **Legitimation — O.C.G.A. § 19-7-22**: legitimation is the
+ Superior Court process by which the **biological father of a child
+ born out of wedlock obtains legal parental rights** (custody,
+ visitation, inheritance). Apart from marrying the mother or a valid
+ voluntary acknowledgment of legitimation, **legitimation is the
+ only way an unwed biological father acquires parental rights.**
+ Section 19-7-22(h) also addresses third-party legitimation.
+ - **Paternity — O.C.G.A. §§ 19-7-40, 19-7-43**: paternity establishes
+ the **biological fact** of fatherhood, chiefly so a **support
+ obligation** can be imposed.
+ - **Key point**: **paternity is not legitimation.** Establishing
+ paternity (e.g., for child support) does **not** by itself confer
+ custody or visitation rights on the father — the father must
+ **legitimate** the child to obtain those rights.
+
+ ## Common pro se mistakes
+
+ 1. **Filing before meeting the six-month residency** (§ 19-5-2) —
+ the court will dismiss for lack of jurisdiction.
+ 2. **Expecting an instant no-fault divorce** — § 19-5-3(13) bars a
+ divorce until at least **30 days after service**.
+ 3. **Treating Georgia as a community-property (50/50) state** — it is
+ **equitable distribution**; division is fair, not automatically
+ equal (*Stokes*; § 19-5-13).
+ 4. **Losing separate property through commingling** — keep
+ gift/inheritance/pre-marital assets segregated and traceable
+ (§ 19-3-9).
+ 5. **Skipping the official child-support worksheet** — courts require
+ the Georgia Child Support Commission worksheet; run the current
+ (post-Jan. 1, 2026) § 19-6-15 calculator.
+ 6. **Omitting a parenting plan** — a parenting plan is **mandatory**
+ in any custody case (§ 19-9-1).
+ 7. **Assuming a 14-year-old's choice always controls** — the
+ selection is controlling **only if** the selected parent is in the
+ child's best interest, and the election may modify custody only
+ **once every two years** (§ 19-9-3(a)(5)).
+ 8. **Seeking alimony after one's own adultery or desertion caused the
+ separation** — alimony is **barred** (§ 19-6-1(b)).
+ 9. **Establishing paternity and assuming it grants visitation** — an
+ unwed father must **legitimate** (§ 19-7-22), not merely establish
+ paternity, to obtain custody/visitation.
+
+ ## Composition
+
+ - For statewide format baseline: `ga-statewide-format`
+ - For the dedicated Family Division and family-court procedure:
+ `ga-family-court`
+ - For the specific venue (Family-Division assignment, local
+ domestic-relations forms): `ga-fulton`, `ga-cobb`, `ga-gwinnett`
+ - For drafting the petition / motion: `ga-draft-motion`
+ - For affidavits / declarations: `ga-draft-declaration`
+ - For the proposed final decree / order: `ga-draft-order`
+ - For time computation and Georgia holidays (the 30-day post-service
+ minimum, answer deadlines): `ga-deadlines`
+ - For citation verification: `ga-fact-check`
+ - For pre-filing format + content QC: `ga-quality-check`
+
+ ## References
+
+ - `references/dissolution.md` — divorce grounds (§ 19-5-3), residency
+ (§ 19-5-2), venue, the 30-day post-service minimum, and the
+ step-by-step procedure
+ - `references/property-distribution.md` — equitable division
+ (*Stokes*; § 19-5-13), marital vs. separate property, and
+ commingling (§ 19-3-9)
+ - `references/child-support.md` — income-shares mechanics, BCSO
+ table, add-ons, deviations, and modification (§ 19-6-15; flag the
+ Jan. 1, 2026 revision)
+ - `references/parenting-plan.md` — mandatory parenting-plan elements
+ (§ 19-9-1) and a Georgia-style scaffold
+ - `references/alimony.md` — discretionary award, the adultery /
+ desertion bar, the eight factors, termination, and modification
+ (§§ 19-6-1, 19-6-3, 19-6-5, 19-6-19)
+ - `references/family-violence-tpo.md` — Family Violence Act, ex parte
+ TPO, protective-order relief and duration (§ 19-13-1 et seq.)
+ - `references/uccjea.md` — home-state and emergency custody
+ jurisdiction (§§ 19-9-40 to 19-9-104)
+ - `references/uifsa.md` — interstate establishment, enforcement, and
+ modification of support (§§ 19-11-100 to 19-11-191)
+ - `references/legitimation-paternity.md` — legitimation (§ 19-7-22)
+ vs. paternity (§§ 19-7-40, 19-7-43) and why they differ
+ - `references/common-law-marriage.md` — prospective abolition and the
+ pre-1997 carve-out (§ 19-3-1.1)
+ - `references/forms.md` — annotated index of Georgia and venue
+ domestic-relations forms (divorce petition, parenting plan,
+ child-support worksheet, GSCCCA TPO SC-15/SC-16 series)
+ - `references/examples/` — worked Georgia examples