Legal Settlement Debts

General Summary: Separation agreements are encouraged and binding when approved by the court. Agreements may be entered into before a divorce is filed to be effective when aproved by the court. A property settlement agreement incorporated into a final dissolution decree and order that contains a clear and express statement that future modification is expressly waived by the parties may not be modified unless the parties subsequently consent.

Georgia Code
Title 19 Domestic Relations
Chapter 6 Alimony and Child Support Generally

Voluntary separation, abandonment, or driving off of spouse - Agreement for support as bar to alimony: In cases of voluntary separation or in cases where one spouse, against the will of that spouse, is abandoned or driven off by the other spouse, a party voluntarily, by contract or other written agreement made with his spouse, may make an adequate provision for the support and maintenance of such spouse, consistent with the means of the party and the former circumstances of the spouse. Such an agreement shall be a bar to the right of the spouse to permanent alimony. Section 19-6-8.

Voluntary separation, abandonment, or driving off of spouse - Equity may compel support: Absent the making of a voluntary contract or other agreement, as provided in Code Section 19-6-8, and on the application of a party, the court, exercising its equitable powers, may compel the spouse of the party to make provision for the support of the party and such minor children as may be in the custody of the party. Section 19-6-9.

Revision of judgment for permanent alimony or child support generally - When authorized; petition and hearing; cohabitation with third party as ground for revision; attorney's fees; temporary modification pending final trial:

(a) The judgment of a court providing permanent alimony for the support of a spouse rendered on or after July 1, 1977, shall be subject to revision upon petition filed by either former spouse showing a change in the income and financial status of either former spouse. The judgment of a court providing permanent alimony for the support of a child or children rendered on or after July 1, 1977, shall be subject to revision upon petition filed by either former spouse showing a change in the income and financial status of either former spouse or in the needs of the child or children. In either case a petition shall be filed and returnable under the same rules of procedure applicable to divorce proceedings. No petition may be filed by either former spouse under this subsection within a period of two years from the date of the final order on a previous petition by the same former spouse. After hearing both parties and the evidence, the jury, or the judge where a jury is not demanded by either party, may modify and revise the previous judgment, in accordance with the changed income and financial status of either former spouse in the case of permanent alimony for the support of a former spouse, or in accordance with the changed income and financial status of either former spouse or in the needs of the child or children in the case of permanent alimony for the support of a child or children, if such a change in the income and financial status is satisfactorily proved so as to warrant the modification and revision. In the hearing upon a petition filed as provided in this subsection, testimony may be given and evidence introduced relative to the income and financial status of either former spouse.

(b) Subsequent to a final judgment of divorce awarding periodic payment of alimony for the support of a spouse, the voluntary cohabitation of such former spouse with a third party in a meretricious relationship shall also be grounds to modify provisions made for periodic payments of permanent alimony for the support of the former spouse. As used in this subsection, the word "cohabitation" means dwelling together continuously and openly in a meretricious relationship with another person, regardless of the sex of the other person. In the event the petitioner does not prevail in the petition for modification on the ground set forth in this subsection, the petitioner shall be liable for reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the respondent for the defense of the action.

(c) When an action for revision of a judgment for permanent alimony under this Code section is pending, the court in its discretion may allow, upon motion, the temporary modification of such a judgment, pending the final trial on the petition. In considering an application for temporary modification under this subsection, the court shall consider evidence of any changed circumstances of the parties and the reasonable probability of the petitioner obtaining revision upon final trial. The order granting temporary modification shall be subject to revision by the court at any time before final trial.

(d) In proceedings for the modification of alimony for the support of a spouse or child pursuant to the provisions of this Code section, the court may award attorneys' fees, costs, and expenses of litigation to the prevailing party as the interests of justice may require. Section 19-6-19. Factors in determining amount of alimony; effect of remarriage on obligations for alimony:

(a) The finder of fact may grant permanent alimony to either party, either from the corpus of the estate or otherwise. The following shall be considered in determining the amount of alimony, if any, to be awarded:

(1) The standard of living established during the marriage;
(2) The duration of the marriage;
(3) The age and the physical and emotional condition of both parties;
(4) The financial resources of each party;
(5) Where applicable, the time necessary for either party to acquire sufficient education or training to enable him to find appropriate employment;
(6) The contribution of each party to the marriage, including, but not limited to, services rendered in homemaking, child care, education, and career building of the other party;
(7) The condition of the parties, including the separate estate, earning capacity, and fixed liabilities of the parties; and
(8) Such other relevant factors as the court deems equitable and proper.

(b) All obligations for permanent alimony, however created, the time for performance of which has not arrived, shall terminate upon remarriage of the party to whom the obligations are owed unless otherwise provided. Section 19-6-5.

Case Law:

Georgia Code § 20-702 provides: "The cardinal rule of construction is to ascertain the intention of the parties. If that intention be clear, and it contravenes no rule of law, and sufficient words be used to arrive at the intention, it shall be enforced, irrespective of all technical or arbitrary rules of construction." If the intention of the parties as of the time of executing the agreement be clear, it should be enforced, even though the parties disagree as to its meaning as of the time of the litigation. Paul v. Paul, 235 Ga. 382 (1975), 219 S.E.2d 736.

"Where the parties in a divorce proceeding enter into a contract settling between themselves the questions of alimony, custody, and support of their minor children, the court may in its discretion approve the agreement in whole or in part, or refuse to approve it as a whole. If any change is made in the agreement as incorporated in the decree which makes the decree conflict with the agreement of the parties, the words of the decree will control. Amos v. Amos, 212 Ga. 670, 671 (2)(95 S.E.2d 5)." Booker v. Booker, 219 Ga. 358, 359 (133 S.E.2d 353); Barrett v. Manus, 219 Ga. 693, 694 (135 S.E.2d 430).

Alimony in a lump sum is in the nature of a property settlement, whether designated as such or as alimony, because the amount owed by the husband to the wife is a definite, ascertainable sum. Newell v. Newell, 237 Ga. 708 (229 S.E.2d 449) (1976).

In Georgia, it is the rule parties to an alimony agreement may obtain modification unless the agreement expressly waives the right of modification by referring specifically to that right; the right to modification will be waived by agreement of the parties only in very clear waiver language which refers to the right of modification. This ruling will be applied to alimony agreements entered into after November 23, 1978, which is the date on which this opinion is printed in the Georgia Law Reporter advance sheet. Varn v. Varn, 242 Ga. 309 (248 S.E.2d 667) (1978).

Where language is cast in the present tense there is no showing of intent to waive future rights. Garcia v. Garcia, 232 Ga. 869 (209 S.E.2d 201) (1974). The term "full and final settlement" without reference to the future is insufficient to express a waiver of modification rights. Fech v. Fech, 241 Ga. 613 (247 S.E.2d 79) (1978). In Kitfield v. Kitfield, 237 Ga. 184 (227 S.E.2d 9) (1976), the Court held the language "complete and final settlement of any and all rights that either of the parties hereto may have" did not foreclose an action for modification and that a waiver of future rights must be clearly expressed.