Divorce Resources in Georgia: Court Forms, Legal Aid & Filing Guide
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Crisis Resources
If you are in danger, call 911. For confidential support:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 | Text START to 88788
State/Provincial Hotline: 1-800-334-2836
Domestic Violence Resources
Statewide coalition coordinating domestic violence prevention, providing a 24-hour crisis hotline, and connecting survivors with local shelters and advocacy services across Georgia.
Metro Atlanta's largest provider of domestic violence services including emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, and transitional housing for survivors and their children.
Provides safe housing for the pets of domestic violence survivors, removing a barrier that prevents many victims from seeking safety. Serves all of Georgia.
State commission responsible for developing a comprehensive plan to end family violence in Georgia, providing judicial training, and coordinating statewide response to family violence under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-30.
Protective Orders
Georgia's Family Violence Act, codified at O.C.G.A. § 19-13-1 through § 19-13-4, provides protective orders for victims of family violence. Any adult who has experienced family violence — defined as battery, assault, stalking, criminal damage, unlawful restraint, or any felony between current or former spouses, cohabitants, parents of a common child, or parent-child relationships — may file a verified petition in Superior Court under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3. Upon finding probable cause, the court may immediately issue an ex parte Temporary Protective Order (TPO) without the respondent present. The TPO must be personally served on the respondent and remains in effect until a full hearing, which must occur within 30 days under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-4. At the hearing, the petitioner must prove allegations by a preponderance of the evidence. If granted, the court may issue a 12-month protective order that can include provisions for exclusion from the residence, no-contact requirements, temporary custody of minor children, and other relief. Violation of a protective order is a misdemeanor under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-6, punishable by fines up to $1,000 and up to 12 months imprisonment. There is no filing fee for protective orders in family violence cases.
Official Links & Resources
How to File for Divorce in Georgia
To file for divorce in Georgia, you must have been a bona fide resident of the state for at least six months immediately preceding the filing of the petition, as required by O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. File the Complaint for Divorce with the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where your spouse resides. If your spouse has moved out of state, you may file in your own county. Georgia recognizes 13 grounds for divorce under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3, including the no-fault ground that the marriage is irretrievably broken. The filing fee is $213, though exact amounts vary by county from $200 to $225. Prepare two copies of every document filed with the court. You will need your Complaint, a Verification sworn under oath, and a Summons for service on the opposing party.
After filing the Complaint, you must serve the opposing party through the county sheriff at a cost of $50 per copy pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 15-16-21, a private process server, or through Acknowledgment of Service if your spouse cooperates. The respondent has 30 days from the date of valid service to file an Answer or Answer and Counterclaim. In a no-fault divorce, the court cannot grant the divorce until at least 30 days after service on the respondent under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3(13). If the respondent fails to answer within 30 days, they waive the right to future notice about the case, including hearing dates. In uncontested cases, both parties sign a Settlement Agreement and Consent to Trial waiving their right to a jury trial.
When child support, alimony, or attorney's fees are at issue, both parties must file a Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit at least 15 days before any temporary or final hearing under Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.2. Cases involving minor children also require a Parenting Plan under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-1 and Child Support Worksheets calculated using the Georgia Child Support Commission's online calculator pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. The parenting plan must address legal custody, physical custody, and a detailed visitation schedule. If both parents agree, they may submit a joint parenting plan. If parents cannot agree, each parent must file a separate proposed plan for the court to consider.
For the final hearing in uncontested cases, prepare a Final Judgment and Decree of Divorce for the judge's signature, along with a completed Report of Divorce form (VS-4) required by the Georgia Department of Public Health. The plaintiff and a corroborating witness must testify at the final hearing to establish jurisdiction, residency, and grounds. Georgia courts may refer contested cases to mediation or alternative dispute resolution under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1. Many counties require divorcing parents to complete a court-approved parenting seminar under Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8 before the court will grant the divorce. E-filing is available through the Georgia Superior Court Clerks' eFileGA system at efile.gsccca.org in most Georgia counties.
Required Court Forms
Official complaint form to initiate a divorce action when the parties have minor children. Includes verification section for sworn statements under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3.
Official complaint form to initiate a divorce action when no minor children are involved. Filed with the Superior Court Clerk in the respondent's county of residence under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2.
Response form for the defendant spouse to answer the complaint and file their own counterclaim in divorce cases involving minor children. Must be filed within 30 days of service.
Response form for the defendant spouse to answer the complaint and file a counterclaim when no minor children are involved. Must be filed within 30 days of service.
Sworn financial disclosure form required under Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.2 in any case where child support, alimony, or attorney's fees are at issue. Lists all income, expenses, assets, and liabilities.
Step-by-step instructions and checklist for filing a pro se divorce in Georgia. Covers required forms, filing procedures, service requirements, and final hearing preparation.
Online calculator and worksheet generator required under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 for determining presumptive child support amounts. Both parents' gross income, childcare costs, and health insurance premiums are factored into the calculation. Produces a printable worksheet for court filing.
Filing on your own?
Divorce.law's FormOS walks you through preparing your court documents step by step — no attorney required.
How Much Does It Cost to File for Divorce in Georgia?
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial Complaint for Divorce | $213 |
| Sheriff Service of Process | $50 |
| Foreign/Out-of-State Service | $53 |
| Certified Copies | $15 |
Fee Waiver: Georgia courts allow fee waivers for individuals who cannot afford court costs. To apply, file an Affidavit of Indigence (also called an Application to Proceed In Forma Pauperis) with the Clerk of Superior Court. The affidavit requires detailed information about your financial situation, including income, assets, and expenses, to demonstrate inability to pay. Each county uses its own version of the form — ask the clerk's office for the local Affidavit of Indigency form. If approved, the court waives filing fees, sheriff service fees, and other court costs. There is no statewide standardized form, but the requirements are consistent across counties.
Free & Low-Cost Legal Help
Provides free legal assistance across metro Atlanta in family law, domestic violence, and custody matters.
Eligibility: Low-income individuals in Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties
Provides free legal services in all Georgia counties outside metro Atlanta in family law and other civil matters.
Eligibility: Low-income residents; income based on federal poverty guidelines
Parenting Class Requirements
Georgia requires divorcing parents to complete a court-approved Parent Education and Family Stabilization Course under Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. Almost all Georgia counties mandate this seminar for any case involving custody or visitation of minor children, including divorce, separate maintenance, paternity, legitimation, and modification of custody or visitation. The seminar typically lasts four to six hours and costs $30 to $60 per parent. Both parents must attend separately. Many counties now accept online completion, though some local rules may require in-person attendance. Topics covered include the impact of divorce on children, co-parenting communication, and conflict resolution. Failure to complete the seminar may result in contempt sanctions, and the court may refuse to grant the final divorce decree until certificates of completion are filed. Each parent must file their completion certificate with the Clerk of Superior Court before the final hearing.
Mediation Requirements
Georgia law authorizes judges to refer contested divorce cases to mediation or alternative dispute resolution under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-1. In counties with established ADR programs, judges may order any contested divorce to mediation. In counties without formal programs, judges may still refer cases if mediation is reasonably available without additional cost to the parties. Many Georgia counties, including Fulton, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Clayton, and Cobb, have standing orders requiring mediation in all contested domestic relations cases within 45 to 55 days after the answer is due. Court-annexed mediation fees typically start at $240 total ($120 per party) for the first two hours, with additional time billed at $120 per hour split between parties. Fee waivers are available for indigent parties. Mediation is confidential and non-binding — neither party is required to agree to any settlement terms. Cases involving family violence are screened by the ADR office, and cases filed solely under the Family Violence Act are not referred to mediation. The Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution (godr.org) provides additional resources and registered mediator directories.
Financial Disclosure Requirements
Georgia requires both parties to file a Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit (DRFA) in any divorce case involving child support, alimony, or attorney's fees under Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.2. The DRFA is a sworn statement listing gross monthly income from all sources, net monthly income after taxes and FICA, all assets (marital and separate), all debts, and average monthly expenses. The affidavit must be filed with the Clerk of Court and served on the opposing party at least 15 days before any temporary or final hearing and at least 10 days before any mediation session. Account numbers must be partially redacted for privacy — no party is required to disclose full account numbers. In cases involving child support, Child Support Worksheets and schedules required by O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 must also be completed using the Georgia Child Support Commission's online calculator. Failure to file the DRFA may subject the non-compliant party to contempt of court, continuance of the hearing, or other sanctions at the court's discretion. Either party may request that financial documents be sealed by court order.
Vetted Georgia Divorce Attorneys
Each city on Divorce.law has one personally vetted exclusive attorney.
Thomas V. Duck III P.C.
Albany, Georgia
Daniels & Rothman P.C.
Athens, Georgia
Kessler & Solomiany LLC
Atlanta, Georgia