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Divorce in Liberty County, Georgia: costs, court rules and local help
Summary
Divorces in Liberty County are filed with the Liberty County Superior Court. The filing fee is $218, and sheriff service is $50 per party served.
Liberty County is in the Atlantic Judicial Circuit with Bryan, McIntosh, Tattnall, Evans and Long counties.[1] The clerk accepts credit cards for civil case filings; under Georgia law, card payments for government services carry a surcharge.[2] Once the court orders mediation, the spouses have 10 days to pick a mediator, and most cases have 120 days from the order to finish. In a divorce, each spouse must complete a sworn Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit, and children aren't allowed at the session.[3]
Where to file
Liberty County Clerk of Courts
201 South Main Street, Suite 1200
Hinesville, GA 31313
Phone: 912-876-3625[2]
Filing fee
$218 to file. Sheriff service: $50 per party served.[4]
Parenting class
In a divorce where custody of children under 18 is at issue, both parents attend the Seminar for Divorcing Parents within 31 days after the complaint is served, and each must file a certificate of completion before the divorce can be granted. In Hinesville the class is "Helping Children Cope with Divorce" at the Fraser Counseling Center, on the first Wednesday of the month, 6 to 9 p.m., except holidays. It costs $45 a person, paid in cash or by money order, and the fee can be waived with an affidavit of poverty approved by the clerk. The clerk's page also links two online courses.[5]
Mediation
In contested divorces in the Atlantic circuit, the spouses must attempt mediation or get an exemption from the court within 90 days after the last answer or response is filed or was due. When you file the complaint or the answer, you also file an ADR initiation form and send a copy to the ADR office; if the ADR office doesn't get it on time, the case is automatically referred to mediation. Before asking for a pretrial conference or trial, a party must state in writing that the case was submitted to mediation or that an exemption was granted.[6]
Court forms
The circuit's ADR page posts a do-it-yourself divorce packet along with the domestic initiation and domestic relations screening forms used to start mediation. Go to the forms.[3]
Also good to know
Since January 1, 2019, civil cases in Liberty County Superior Court, including divorces, are filed electronically, with a few exceptions such as sealed cases, adoptions and protective orders. The clerk's office keeps a public computer where lawyers and people representing themselves can upload filings; using it waives the e-filing portal fee, though a card fee applies unless you pay in cash. Filing and service costs are the same either way.[7]
Free and low-cost help in Liberty County
- TriCounty Protective Agency. A state-certified family violence program in Hinesville serving Liberty, Long, Bryan, Evans and Tattnall counties. The number below is its crisis line; its office is 912-368-8668.
Phone: 912-368-9200[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.[10]
Liberty County Superior Court website
Sources
- ^ O.C.G.A. § 15-6-1, judicial circuits (Justia) (law.justia.com)
- ^ Liberty County Clerk of Courts, filing fees page: key points and address and phone (libertyco.com)
- ^ First Judicial Administrative District, Atlantic Circuit mediation page: key points and court forms (firstjudicialdistrict.org)
- ^ Superior Courts of Georgia 2024 internal cost schedule, posted by the Liberty County Clerk of Courts (PDF) (libertyco.com, PDF)
- ^ Liberty County Clerk of Courts, Seminar for Divorcing Parents (libertyco.com)
- ^ Atlantic Judicial Circuit, order mandating alternative dispute resolution (PDF) (firstjudicialdistrict.org, PDF)
- ^ Liberty County Clerk of Courts, notice on mandatory civil e-filing, January 2019 (PDF) (libertyco.com, PDF)
- ^ 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.