contested & high-asset divorce

Contested & High-Asset Divorce Attorneys in Douglasville & Metro Atlanta

When your home, your business, or your retirement is on the line, you need more than paperwork. You need a strategy built to protect what you've worked for.

  • 10+ Years Serving Georgia Families
  • Douglasville & Midtown Atlanta Offices
  • 4.4★ Rating from 200+ Google Reviews
  • Complex Property Division Focus

When a Divorce Has More at Stake

Not every divorce is simple. When spouses can't agree on who keeps the house, how a business is valued, or how retirement savings are divided, the case becomes contested, and the decisions made in the next few months can affect your finances for decades.



At Chisolm Trimble & Associates, we represent clients in contested and high-asset divorces across Douglas County, Metro Atlanta, and surrounding Georgia counties. We build a clear picture of the marital estate, identify what is yours, and fight for a fair outcome, at the negotiating table or in the courtroom.

What We Help You Protect

Your Home & Real Estate

The marital home, rental properties, land, and vacation homes, including equity, mortgages, and who stays or sells.

Businesses & Practices

Family businesses, professional practices, and ownership interests, with proper valuation and a plan to keep the business running.

Retirement & Pensions

401(k)s, IRAs, pensions, and government or military retirement, divided correctly with the right court orders.

Investments & Compensation

Brokerage accounts, stock options, bonuses, and deferred compensation that are easy to overlook and hard to value.

Spousal Support (Alimony)

Whether you may receive or pay support, we work toward terms that are fair and sustainable.

Hidden or Undisclosed Assets

When something doesn't add up, we use financial disclosure and discovery tools to find the full picture.

How Georgia Divides Property

Georgia follows equitable division. That means marital property is divided fairly, which is not always a 50/50 split. Property you owned before the marriage, and gifts or inheritances received individually, may be treated as separate property, but that protection can be lost if those assets were mixed with marital funds.



How a judge or jury views fairness depends on the facts of your marriage. That is why preparation, documentation, and the right valuation experts matter so much.

Signs Your Divorce May Be Contested

  • You disagree about the house or other real estate
  • One or both of you owns a business
  • There are significant retirement or investment accounts
  • Alimony is being requested or disputed
  • You suspect assets are being hidden or moved
  • Your spouse has already hired an attorney

Our Approach

Initial Consultation

We meet with you to understand your goals, your assets, and your concerns, then outline a plan for your case.

The Full Financial Picture

We gather financial affidavits, tax returns, account statements, and business records so nothing is missed.

Valuation & Expert Support

When needed, we work with appraisers, forensic accountants, and business valuation professionals.

Negotiation & Mediation

Many contested cases settle through mediation. We negotiate from a position of preparation, not pressure.

Trial-Ready Representation

If a fair agreement isn't possible, we are prepared to present your case in court.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Does Georgia split everything 50/50 in a divorce?

    No. Georgia uses equitable division, which means marital property is divided in a way that is fair under the circumstances. A fair split may or may not be equal.

  • Is my business considered marital property?

    It depends on when the business was started, how it was funded, and how its value changed during the marriage. A business started before the marriage may still have a marital portion if it grew because of marital effort or funds.

  • What about property I owned before marriage or inherited?

    Pre-marital property and individual gifts or inheritances are generally treated as separate property. However, if those assets were combined with marital funds or retitled jointly, part or all of them may become marital property.

  • Can I keep the house?

    Possibly. Options include one spouse buying out the other's equity, trading the home against other assets, or selling and dividing the proceeds. The right choice depends on your finances and goals.

  • What if I think my spouse is hiding assets?

    Georgia divorce cases require financial disclosure, and attorneys can use discovery tools such as subpoenas, document requests, and depositions. Forensic accountants can also help trace missing funds.

  • How long does a contested divorce take?

    It varies with the complexity of the assets, the level of disagreement, and the court's schedule. Cases that settle in mediation typically resolve sooner than cases that go to trial.

  • What should I bring to my consultation?

    Helpful items include recent tax returns, pay stubs, bank and retirement statements, mortgage and deed information, business records, and any papers you have already received from the court or your spouse's attorney.