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Divorce in Clayton County, Georgia: costs, court rules and local help
Summary
Divorces in Clayton County are filed with the Clayton County Superior Court. The filing fee is $213, and sheriff service is $50 per service.
In a contested case, you must contact the court's ADR office to schedule mediation within 31 days after service, and you can't ask for a hearing date until you do.[1]
Where to file
Clayton County Clerk of Superior Court
Harold R. Banke Justice Center, 9151 Tara Boulevard, Room 1CL25
Jonesboro, GA 30236
Phone: 770-477-3395[2]
Filing fee
$213 to file. Sheriff service: $50 per service.[3]
Parenting class
Both parents must complete a parenting seminar in divorce cases with children. Clayton currently offers it online.[4]
Mediation
Contested family cases go to mediation under a standing order. Within 31 days after service (or sooner, if an answer is filed), contact the court's ADR office to schedule it; you must do this before you can ask for a hearing date. If the ADR office assigns the mediator, the fee is at least $240 for the first two hours ($120 from each spouse). If you can't afford your share, you can ask the ADR office for a fee waiver application at least 48 business hours before mediation.[1]
Court forms
Georgia's courts post free statewide divorce forms and instructions that can be used in any county, including Clayton. Go to the forms.[5]
Free and low-cost help in Clayton County
- Clayton County Law Library. Open to the public Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., with Georgia legal reference materials and forms. Staff can't give legal advice.
Harold R. Banke Justice Center, 9151 Tara Boulevard, Suite 3CA01, Jonesboro, GA 30236[6] - Court and Community Access Program. Computers for court information, local court forms (including divorce and child support), case search and court calendars, at the Clayton County Library System's Headquarters Library (reserve at the information desk) and at the Justice Center on weekdays.[7]
- Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Clayton and South Fulton office. Free legal help if your income qualifies, including some divorce and custody cases. Call for intake hours before you visit.
1590 Adamson Parkway, Suite 360, Morrow, GA 30260
Phone: 404-669-0233[8]
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.[9]
Atlanta Legal Aid Society has a phone line for Spanish speakers: 404-377-5381.[8]
Clayton County Superior Court website
Sources
- ^ Clayton County Superior Court: key points and mediation (claytoncountyga.gov)
- ^ Clayton County Superior Court: address and phone (claytoncountyga.gov)
- ^ Clayton fee schedule, effective Jan. 1, 2024 (claytoncountyga.gov, PDF)
- ^ Clayton County Superior Court: parenting class (claytoncountyga.gov)
- ^ Clayton County Superior Court: court forms (georgiacourts.gov)
- ^ Clayton County Law Library (claytoncountyga.gov)
- ^ Clayton County Court and Community Access Program (claytoncountyga.gov)
- ^ Atlanta Legal Aid Society, offices: local help and Spanish help line (atlantalegalaid.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.