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Divorce in DeKalb County, Georgia: costs, court rules and local help
Summary
Divorces in DeKalb County are filed with the DeKalb County Superior Court. The filing fee is $217.
A standing order applies automatically to every family case, limiting what either spouse can do with property, the children and insurance while the case is open.[1] The court's Family Law Information Center, in the courthouse, offers form packets, low-cost attorney consultations and free notary service for family law papers.[2]
Where to file
DeKalb County Clerk of Superior Court
DeKalb County Courthouse, 556 North McDonough Street, Ground Floor, Room 210
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: 404-371-2836[3]
Filing fee
$217 to file.[3]
Parenting class
In cases with children under 18, both parents must complete the Families in Transition seminar within 31 days after the divorce papers are served.[1]
Mediation
If parents disagree about where the children will live, they must make a good-faith effort to mediate before any hearing. Other issues can be mediated if both agree. The first hour at the DeKalb County Courts Dispute Resolution Center is free.[1]
Court forms
The DeKalb County Family Law Information Center posts free family law forms, with instructions. Go to the forms.[4]
Standing order
A standing order applies to every family case. While it's in effect, neither spouse may sell or get rid of property except in the ordinary course of business, take the children out of the court's jurisdiction, cut off utilities at the home, or change insurance coverage or beneficiaries.[1]
Free and low-cost help in DeKalb County
- DeKalb County Family Law Information Center. Form packets with instructions for a small fee, including divorce and changing custody or child support. People without a lawyer can book a one-time, 30-minute attorney consultation for a small fee (cash or money order only), and staff notarize family law papers free. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
DeKalb County Courthouse, 556 North McDonough Street, Suite 160, Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: 404-687-3990[2] - Atlanta Legal Aid Society, DeKalb office. Free legal help if your income qualifies, including some divorce and custody cases. Call for intake hours before you visit.
246 Sycamore Street, Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: 404-377-0701[5]
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.[6]
Atlanta Legal Aid Society has a phone line for Spanish speakers: 404-377-5381.[5]
DeKalb County Superior Court website
Sources
- ^ DeKalb County Superior Court: key points, parenting class, mediation and standing order (dksuperiorclerk.com, PDF)
- ^ DeKalb County Family Law Information Center: key points and local help (dekalbgasuperiorcourt.gov)
- ^ DeKalb Superior Court Clerk: address and phone and filing fees (dksuperiorclerk.com)
- ^ DeKalb County Superior Court: court forms (dekalbgasuperiorcourt.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.