Georgia Divorce Cost Estimator

A Georgia divorce costs between $3,000 for an uncontested case and $14,000 or more for a contested divorce under Official Code of Georgia Title 19. The $213 court filing fee is just the starting point — attorney fees averaging $300 per hour, service of process ($50–$100), and mandatory parenting seminars ($25–$100) add to the total. Contested cases with custody disputes or business valuations can exceed $22,000 per spouse.

The Georgia divorce filing fee is $213 as of July 2024, which includes a $4 surcharge pursuant to Senate Bill 322. Filing fees vary by county, so check the Georgia Clerks' Authority fee schedule at gaclerks.org for your specific county's costs. Low-income filers may qualify for a fee waiver by submitting an Affidavit of Indigency to the Superior Court clerk.

Georgia divorce attorneys charge a median hourly rate of $300, with most rates falling between $250 and $500 per hour depending on experience and metro-area location. Initial retainer fees typically range from $2,500 to $10,000. For straightforward uncontested divorces, many Georgia attorneys offer flat-fee packages from $1,500 to $3,500 covering all paperwork and court appearances.

Georgia courts grant fee waivers for divorce filing fees through an Affidavit of Indigency filed with the Superior Court clerk. Applicants whose income falls below 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines qualify for reduced or waived fees. The waiver covers the $213 filing fee and may extend to court-ordered mediation costs. Each county administers its own indigency forms, so contact your local clerk for the specific application.

Georgia courts frequently order mediation in contested divorces, particularly in custody disputes, through the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. Private mediators charge $200 to $500 per hour, with total mediation costs ranging from $3,000 to $8,000 typically split between both parties. Court-approved mediation programs offer lower rates — for example, Fulton County charges $115 per party. Mediation costs 60–80% less than full litigation.

An uncontested Georgia divorce costs approximately $3,000 total, including the $213 filing fee, service of process ($50–$100), and attorney fees. Many Georgia attorneys handle uncontested divorces for a flat fee of $1,500 to $3,500 when both spouses agree on all terms. Self-represented filers using Georgia's free divorce forms can reduce costs to under $500 total, covering only court fees and service of process.

Georgia divorce costs beyond filing and attorney fees include mandatory parenting seminars ($25–$100 per parent under Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8), real estate appraisals ($300–$500), business valuations ($3,000–$10,000), guardian ad litem fees ($2,500–$5,000 retainer for custody cases), and certified document copies ($10–$20 each). Service by publication when a spouse cannot be located costs approximately $120 plus a $25 publisher's affidavit fee.

Georgia allows pro se divorce filing, and the Georgia Courts Self-Help Resources Center at georgiacourts.gov provides free divorce forms and filing instructions for Superior Court. A pro se uncontested divorce in Georgia costs as little as $263 to $313 total — the $213 filing fee plus $50–$100 for service of process. However, cases involving significant assets, custody disputes, or disagreements over whether the marriage is irretrievably broken benefit from attorney representation.