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Divorce in Bartow County, Georgia: costs, court rules and local help
Summary
Divorces in Bartow County are filed with the Bartow County Superior Court. The filing fee is $215, and sheriff service is $50.
Bartow County shares the Cherokee Judicial Circuit with Gordon County.[1] Contested divorces have to go to mediation before the final hearing, and parents of minor children must finish a co-parenting seminar before the final order.[2]
Where to file
Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court
135 West Cherokee Avenue, Suite 233
Cartersville, GA 30120
Phone: 770-387-5025[3]
Filing fee
$215 to file. Sheriff service: $50.[4]
Parenting class
In any case involving custody or parenting time of minor children, both parents must complete a court-approved co-parenting seminar before the final order is issued. Online seminars are accepted. Each parent files proof of completion with the clerk, and skipping the seminar can lead the judge to withhold visitation or hold a parent in contempt.[2]
Mediation
In a contested divorce or other family case without a written agreement, the spouses have to mediate before the final hearing. Family Violence Act cases and contempt motions about only child support or alimony are exempt. To skip mediation, a spouse files a written motion explaining why, and the court decides. After mediation, the spouses file a notice with the clerk that they've complied.[2]
Court forms
The clerk doesn't post divorce packets of its own. Its site links to free forms at GeorgiaLegalAid.org and warns that its forms aren't legal advice and may need changes to fit your case. Go to the forms.[5]
Standing order
A standing order signed July 22, 2025 applies from the day a divorce or other family case asking for court protection is filed, and a copy is attached to the complaint served on the other spouse. In a custody case, neither parent may take the children out of Georgia without the court's permission or both parents' written approval. It also bars harassing or stalking the other spouse or the children; selling, hiding or moving property except in the ordinary course of business, including changing beneficiaries on wills, retirement, bank or investment accounts; cancelling or changing auto, health, vision, prescription, dental or life insurance; cutting off utilities, phone, internet or TV service; and interfering with the other spouse's mail. Hearings aren't scheduled automatically; the clerk's office assigns a date when a spouse asks for one.[2]
Also good to know
In a case involving child support, alimony, property division or attorney's fees, each spouse files a sworn financial affidavit with the clerk at least 5 days before any temporary or final hearing, contested or not, and a child support worksheet when support is at issue.[2]
Free and low-cost help in Bartow County
- Tranquility House. A state-certified family violence program in Cartersville serving Bartow County. The number below is its crisis line; its office is 770-386-8093.
Phone: 770-386-8779[6] - Georgia Legal Services Program. Free civil legal help, including family law, for people with low incomes in 154 of Georgia's 159 counties. Apply online or call the intake line.
Phone: 833-457-7529[7]
If you need an interpreter
If you or a witness needs an interpreter, including sign language, tell the court in writing before the hearing, at least 5 days ahead where you can. The court then works to provide a licensed interpreter at its own expense.[8] For a court interpreter in Bartow County, the clerk's office directs you to Kathy Ruff at 678-721-3242.[3]
Bartow County Superior Court website
Sources
- ^ O.C.G.A. § 15-6-1, judicial circuits (Justia) (law.justia.com)
- ^ Cherokee Judicial Circuit, standing order for Bartow and Gordon counties, July 2025 (PDF): key points, parenting class, mediation, standing order and other court rules (bartowcountyga.gov, PDF)
- ^ Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court, contact: address and phone and interpreters (bartowcountyga.gov)
- ^ Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court cost and fee schedule (bartowcountyga.gov, PDF)
- ^ Bartow County Clerk of Superior Court, forms (bartowcountyga.gov)
- ^ Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, state-certified family violence agencies (PDF) (cjcc.georgia.gov)
- ^ Georgia Legal Services Program, what we do (glsp.org)
- ^ Uniform Superior Court Rule 7.3, interpreters (rulesofcivilprocedure.com)
Court fees and rules change. Check with the clerk before you file. If something here looks out of date, email help@divorce.city.