If you’re in Georgia and going through a divorce, you might be worried about a personal injury settlement you received in the past. This money was meant to help you recover from an accident. Now, with divorce proceedings underway, you’re faced with a tough question: Should this settlement be shared with your ex? It’s a real concern, especially since this settlement directly relates to your personal experience and hardship. Plus, you need this money to help you move forward into your future.
Do you need to share your personal injury settlement with your ex? Is it considered marital property in Georgia?
What is Marital Property in Georgia?
In Georgia, understanding what constitutes marital property is crucial to the divorce process. This term encompasses almost everything you and your spouse acquired during your marriage. It’s not just about physical items. It also includes what you’ve earned, like your salaries, bonuses, and other income. The house you lived in, the cars you drove, and even the furniture and electronics you purchased together fall under this category. Marital property also extends to more intangible assets, like retirement accounts and stocks, if they grew during your marriage.
When you’re facing a divorce in Georgia, one of the biggest steps is figuring out how to split this shared property. It’s not just about dividing things equally; it’s about finding a fair distribution based on various factors, including each person’s financial situation and contributions during the marriage. This process can be straightforward or complex, depending on the range and type of assets involved.
Personal Injury Settlements & Divorce in Georgia
Personal injury settlements, however, are a bit different. These settlements are awarded to compensate for injuries, pain, suffering, and financial losses due to accidents. They’re personal by nature – for your pain, medical expenses, and lost wages.
Are They Marital Property?
Georgia law looks at personal injury settlements differently from other assets in a divorce. When it comes to these settlements, it’s more complex. Part of your settlement could be considered marital property, while other parts might be yours.
Let’s break it down. Say you got a settlement covering medical expenses or lost wages during your marriage. In Georgia, there’s a chance this portion could be treated as marital property. Why? Because it’s money that, in a way, stands in for the income or financial support you and your spouse would have had if the accident hadn’t happened.
On the other hand, the portion of your settlement meant for your pain and suffering, or for any future medical costs and wages you might lose because of your injury, is usually seen differently. This part is often considered your separate property. The law recognizes that this part of the settlement is tied directly to your personal experience and trauma, as well as how it affects your life moving forward.
This distinction is vital. It acknowledges that while some aspects of a settlement replace shared financial contributions, others are deeply personal and tied to your pain and future challenges. It’s a balance between recognizing the joint nature of some financial aspects in a marriage and the personal impact of an injury on you as an individual.
How an Atlanta Divorce Lawyer Can Help
Every divorce and personal injury case in Georgia is different, and your situation will have its own unique aspects. The specific details of your case, like the timing of your accident in relation to your marriage and the particulars of your settlement, can greatly influence how your settlement is classified in a divorce.
This complexity is exactly why getting advice from an experienced Atlanta divorce attorney is so valuable. Your lawyer can cover all the variables that might apply to your case, look at the details of your situation, and give you advice tailored just for you.
In addition, your divorce lawyer can assist in negotiating and advocating for a fair division of assets, including your settlement, during the divorce process. They can help ensure that your rights are protected and that the outcome reflects a fair consideration of your personal experience and the contributions you made during your marriage.
Contact Our Atlanta Divorce Attorneys Today
Going through a divorce while trying to protect your personal injury settlement in Georgia can be daunting, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our divorce lawyers understand the intricacies of these cases and are here to provide the personalized, compassionate guidance you deserve. Don’t let uncertainty cloud your future. You deserve to explore all your legal options during a divorce.
To schedule a consultation, please call us at (770) 284-6153 or fill out our confidential contact form. We are here to help you simplify the divorce process and take the burdens off of your shoulders.
Attorney Sarah Hobson at Hobson and Hobson, P.C. are powerful advocates for those who fight for better futures for those going through divorce and custody law matters.
