Divorce in the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit: court rules for Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade and Walker counties

County pages

Fees, clerks' offices and local help differ by county:

• Catoosa County: filing fee not posted online; ask the clerk
• Chattooga County
• Dade County: filing fee $213.50, sheriff service $50 per copy served by the sheriff
• Walker County: filing fee not posted online; ask the clerk

Standing order

The standing order applies to every domestic relations case filed in the circuit on or after January 1, 2026, and stays in place until a judge changes it. While a divorce or separate maintenance case is pending, neither spouse may:

• Sell, mortgage, put a lien on, add debt against, trade, damage, destroy or remove from the court's reach any property either one has an interest in. Ordinary transactions for fair value, such as household bills or reasonable lawyer's fees, are allowed.
• Disconnect a utility serving the other's home, or change insurance that protects either spouse, the children or their property.
• Let the children be out of Georgia for more than eight days, or take them out of the school they attend at filing, except in an emergency. This doesn't apply if a custody or visitation order was already in place.
• Injure, vilify, molest or harass the other, or try or threaten to.

Under Pace v. Pace (2010), the order also warns that evidence presented at a temporary hearing can be considered again at later hearings in the case, including the final hearing.¹

Mediation

Before a final hearing or trial, the parties in every contested case go to mediation unless the court waives it. Child support enforcement and contempt cases are left out. Mediation must be finished within 90 days after the complaint is served; the parties can agree in writing to mediate between 90 days and six months after service. If the case isn't ready within six months, for example because discovery was extended, the court schedules a status hearing.¹

Mediation isn't required when domestic violence is alleged, unless the court specifically assigns the case to a qualified mediator. As soon as possible after mediation, and before the final hearing, the parties file a notice with the clerk that they complied.¹

The Seventh Judicial Administrative District's ADR office (770-387-4820) handles mediation for all four counties. The parties choose a mediator from its roster together, or the office assigns one. Mediators average $100 to $200 an hour, split equally and paid at the session, and a party who can't afford it can apply to the office for a fee waiver before the session.³

Co-parenting seminar

In every case involving minor children, all parties complete a court-approved co-parenting seminar before the final hearing: the plaintiff within 31 days of filing, the defendant within 31 days of service. Only full attendance counts, and each party files written proof with the clerk. A certificate of attendance is valid for three years.¹

For good cause, the assigned judge can excuse a party, but only on a written Motion to Waive Seminar Attendance filed with the clerk and delivered to the judge's office and the other party. Domestic violence cases, U.R.E.S.A. cases (child support cases between states), and uncontested changes to visitation or child support are exempt.¹

The order says approved seminars, dates and locations are listed on the Seventh District's website, but as of November 2026 the district's seminar page names only Douglas, Haralson, Paulding and Polk counties. Ask your clerk which seminars the court accepts before you register.⁴

Papers due before hearings

Deadlines in the standing order:

• Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit: in any contested case over child support, alimony, property division or attorney's fees, serve it and file a certificate of service at least 5 days before a temporary hearing, final hearing or mediation. If the other side doesn't, you can reschedule mediation with at least 48 hours' notice.
• Child support worksheets: serve them at least 5 days before a temporary hearing, final hearing or mediation.
• Parenting plan: when custody is at issue, each parent submits a proposed plan to the court and the other side at least 5 days before any hearing on custody or parenting time, except when seeking emergency relief for family violence.
• Witness affidavits for a temporary hearing: serve them at least 24 hours ahead.

Missing these deadlines can lead to a postponed hearing, sanctions or contempt.¹

Judge Melissa Gifford Hise requires attorneys in her cases to use the circuit's Child Support Addendum, with every part completed and no paragraphs deleted. It's also on the circuit's forms page for people filing without a lawyer.²

Hearings and final orders

How cases move:

• Hearings, including temporary hearings, are set by a rule nisi submitted to the assigned judge's office with a time estimate. A hearing expected to take more than two hours is specially set.
• In a case changing an earlier order, a temporary hearing needs its own motion with specific grounds and a supporting affidavit. In a new divorce, no separate motion is needed.
• An uncontested case can end without a hearing on a Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings, with an affidavit, a written settlement agreement and its attachments, such as child support worksheets and a parenting plan. The judge can still call a hearing.
• With the court's approval, a hearing can be held by videoconference, such as WebEx.
• Court reporters aren't provided in domestic cases. The spouse who wants a transcript hires one and works out with the other side whether to share it.

Once either side demands a jury trial, the demand can be withdrawn only with both spouses' written consent and the court's approval.¹

The circuit posts free forms for uncontested divorces with and without minor children, a financial affidavit, an answer and counterclaim, and a motion for service by publication.⁵

Related guides

• Mediation or court in Georgia
• Georgia divorce costs by county