Divorce in Hall County, Georgia: costs, court rules and local help
Summary
Divorces in Hall County are filed with the Hall County Superior Court. The filing fee is $218, and sheriff service is $50 per copy served.
Hall County shares the Northeastern Judicial Circuit with Dawson County.[1] If you're handling your own divorce, the court's Family Law Information Center generally has to review your paperwork before you get a final hearing date.[2]
Where to file
Hall County Clerk of Superior and State Courts
Hall County Courthouse, 225 Green Street SE
Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone: 770-531-7025[3]
Filing fee
$218 to file. Sheriff service: $50 per copy served.[4]
Parenting class
In any case involving custody or parenting time of minor children, both parents must complete a court-approved co-parenting seminar: the spouse who filed within 31 days after filing, and the other spouse within 31 days after being served. You have to attend the whole seminar and then file proof with the clerk. Any four-hour, in-person co-parenting seminar approved by a Georgia Superior Court also counts, and a certificate is good for three years. Seminar dates, places and fee waivers are listed by the circuit's dispute resolution office. The judge can excuse a parent for good cause on a written motion.[5]
Mediation
In a contested divorce or other family case without a written agreement, the spouses have to mediate before the final hearing, within 90 days after the other spouse is served, though they can agree in writing to mediate between 90 days and six months after service. Family Violence Act cases and cases screened out as unsuitable by the regional dispute resolution office don't have to mediate. If a spouse without a lawyer reaches an agreement at mediation, that spouse has 10 days to have a lawyer review it and can revoke it in writing within that time, with shorter deadlines if a final hearing is coming up.[5]
Court forms
The circuit's Family Law Information Center posts Hall County divorce form packets. It warns that the forms may not fit your case or may become outdated, and gives its number, 770-531-2463, for anyone who doesn't understand that notice. Go to the forms.[6]
Standing order
A domestic relations standing order applies to every divorce and other family case filed in Hall County on or after March 1, 2025. Neither spouse may take the children out of Georgia without the court's permission or the other's written approval in a first custody case, though ordinary out-of-state trips are allowed if the other parent gets the travel dates, where the children will be and a working phone number. It also bars harassing the other spouse, the children or the family's pets; selling, hiding or moving property except in the ordinary course of business, including changing beneficiaries on wills, retirement and bank accounts; cutting off utilities, phone, internet or TV service; and cancelling or changing auto, health, dental, vision, prescription or life insurance. In a contested case about money, each spouse serves a financial affidavit at least 5 days before any hearing or mediation, and a child support worksheet in cases involving support. Hearings aren't scheduled automatically; the spouse who wants one sends a request, called a rule nisi, to the judge's office.[5]
Also good to know
If you're handling your own divorce, the judge's office won't give you a final hearing date until a Family Law Information Center staff member has reviewed your paperwork, with limited exceptions. Appointments are free but have to be requested in advance, and waits can be long.[2]
Free and low-cost help in Hall County
- Family Law Information Center. The circuit's free self-help center for people handling their own divorce or legitimation in Hall or Dawson County. Staff review your paperwork, and people who qualify financially can ask to meet with a center attorney. Request an appointment in advance by email or in person.
Hall County Courthouse, 225 Green Street SE, 3rd Floor, Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone: 770-531-2463[2] - Robert E. Andrews Law Library. Open to the public for legal research, with Westlaw. The law librarian can help you find materials but can't give legal advice.
Hall County Courthouse, 225 Green Street SE, 3rd Floor, Gainesville, GA 30501
Phone: 770-532-1895[7] - Gateway House. A state-certified family violence program serving Hall County. The number below is its crisis line; its office is 770-539-9080.
Phone: 770-536-5860[8] - 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[9]
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] The Northeastern Judicial Circuit provides spoken-language and sign language interpreters. Request one through the circuit's online form at least 10 business days ahead, or call the interpretive services coordinator at 770-538-5375.[10]
Hall County Superior Court website
Sources
- ^ O.C.G.A. § 15-6-1, judicial circuits (Justia) (law.justia.com)
- ^ Northeastern Judicial Circuit Family Law Information Center: key points, other court rules and local help (nejcga.gov)
- ^ Hall County Clerk of Superior and State Courts, contact (hallclerk.com)
- ^ Hall County Superior Court cost schedule, effective July 1, 2024 (hallclerk.com, PDF)
- ^ Northeastern Judicial Circuit, Hall County domestic relations standing order, effective March 1, 2025 (PDF): parenting class, mediation and standing order (nejcga.gov)
- ^ Northeastern Judicial Circuit Family Law Information Center, divorce forms (nejcga.gov)
- ^ Northeastern Judicial Circuit, Law Library (nejcga.gov)
- ^ Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, state-certified family violence agencies (PDF) (cjcc.georgia.gov)
- ^ Georgia Legal Services Program, what we do (glsp.org)
- ^ Northeastern Judicial Circuit, Interpretive Services (nejcga.gov)
- ^ 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.