Divorce in Floyd County, Georgia: costs, court rules and local help
Summary
Divorces in Floyd County are filed with the Floyd County Superior Court. The filing fee is $213, and sheriff service is $50 per copy served.
Floyd County is its own judicial circuit, the Rome Judicial Circuit.[1] If your spouse can't be found and has to be served by a newspaper notice, the clerk's fee schedule lists $80 to publish a divorce notice, subject to the newspaper's fees.[2]
Where to file
Floyd County Clerk of Superior Court
3 Government Plaza, Suite 101
Rome, GA 30161
Phone: 706-291-5190[3]
Filing fee
$213 to file. Sheriff service: $50 per copy served.[2]
Parenting class
In a divorce involving custody of a minor child, each parent must complete an online course for divorcing parents within 45 days after the defendant is served. The order names two courses, Children of Divorce (dearchildofdivorce.org) and Course for Parents (courseforparents.com), or a similar course the court approves. A parent who doesn't finish on time can be held in contempt or face other sanctions. The clerk attaches a copy of this order to the divorce papers served on the other spouse.[4]
Mediation
Under a January 2024 standing order, Floyd County's judges refer all civil cases, including divorce and other family cases, to mediation under the Seventh Judicial Administrative District's mediation rules, effective January 1, 2022. The spouses are directed to mediate and negotiate in good faith. Cases excluded under Rule 3 of those rules aren't referred.[5]
Court forms
The county posts pro se divorce forms, with and without minor children, with a checklist of what to file. Its checklist lists the clerk's filing fee as $213 with children and $210 without, while the clerk's own fee schedule lists $213, so confirm the amount when you file. To have the sheriff serve a spouse in Floyd County, you fill out two forms at the clerk's office and pay $50. Court staff can't give legal advice. Go to the forms.[6]
Standing order
A standing order signed in January 2024 applies to every divorce or other family case in Floyd County Superior Court, binding the spouse who files from the time of filing and the other spouse from the time of service. Neither may take the children out of the court's jurisdiction; injure, harass or threaten the other spouse or the children; or sell, borrow against or move the couple's property out of the court's reach, except in the ordinary course of business. A copy is attached to the complaint served on the other spouse, and either spouse can schedule a hearing on it through the assigned judge's office.[7]
Also good to know
In an uncontested divorce, you schedule the final hearing with the assigned judge's chambers: Division 1 (Judge Niedrach) 706-291-5121, Division 2 (Judge Sparks) 706-291-5126, Division 3 (Judge Johnson) 706-291-5124, or Division 4 (Judge King) 706-290-6077.[8]
Free and low-cost help in Floyd County
- Hospitality House for Women. A state-certified family violence program in Rome serving Floyd County. The number below is its crisis line; its office is 706-235-4608.
Phone: 706-235-4673[9] - 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[10]
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.[11]
Floyd County Superior Court website
Sources
- ^ O.C.G.A. § 15-6-1, judicial circuits (Justia) (law.justia.com)
- ^ Floyd County Clerk of Superior Court fee schedule: key points and filing fees (floydsuperiorcourt.com)
- ^ Floyd County Clerk of Superior Court, contact (floydsuperiorcourt.com)
- ^ Floyd County Superior Court, standing order for domestic relations cases involving minors, January 2024 (floydsuperiorcourt.com, PDF)
- ^ Floyd County Superior Court, court-annexed mediation standing order, January 2024 (floydsuperiorcourt.com, PDF)
- ^ Floyd County government, pro se divorce with minor children (floydcountyga.gov)
- ^ Floyd County Superior Court, standing order for domestic relations cases, January 2024 (floydsuperiorcourt.com, PDF)
- ^ Floyd County government, pro se divorce information (floydcountyga.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.