Home › Georgia › Northeastern Judicial Circuit
Divorce in the Northeastern Judicial Circuit: court rules for Dawson and Hall counties
Summary
The Northeastern Judicial Circuit's Superior Court judges set one domestic relations standing order and one set of family law rules for Hall and Dawson counties. Filing fees, clerks' offices and local help differ by county, so check your county's page too.
- A standing order applies automatically to every divorce and other family case filed since March 1, 2025.1
- In a contested case without a written agreement, you and your spouse have to mediate before the final hearing, generally within 90 days after service.1
- If custody or parenting time is at issue, both parents complete a co-parenting seminar within 31 days.1
- Since January 1, 2024, anyone filing for divorce without a lawyer has to go through the Family Law Information Center's review before asking for a hearing date, with limited exceptions.2
- The circuit covers Hall and Dawson counties.3
County pages
Fees, clerks' offices and local help differ by county:
- Dawson County: filing fee $218, sheriff service $50 per entry of service
- Hall County: filing fee $218, sheriff service $50 per copy served
Standing order
A domestic relations standing order applies to every divorce and other family case filed in Hall or Dawson County on or after March 1, 2025. In a first custody case, neither spouse may take the children out of Georgia without the court's permission or the other's written approval. 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. The order 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.
- 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.1
Mediation
In a contested divorce or other family case without a written agreement, you and your spouse have to mediate before the final hearing. Mediation has to happen within 90 days after the other spouse is served, though you can agree in writing to mediate between 90 days and six months after service. Family Violence Act cases, and cases the regional dispute resolution office screens out as unsuitable, 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. The deadlines are shorter if a final hearing is coming up.1
Co-parenting seminar
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 has 31 days after filing, and the other spouse 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.1
Filing without a lawyer
Since January 1, 2024, anyone filing for divorce without a lawyer in Hall or Dawson County has to apply for and go through the Family Law Information Center's review before asking for a hearing date. You can ask the court to waive this by motion, and the center gives cases it can't help with a notice to show the court instead.2
The center offers free, limited help to people handling their own divorce or legitimation in either county. Staff review paperwork, and people who qualify financially can ask to meet with a center attorney. It's in the Hall County Courthouse in Gainesville, and Dawson County residents use the same office.4
Interpreters
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 770-538-5375.5
Sources
- ^ Northeastern Judicial Circuit, Hall County domestic relations standing order, effective March 1, 2025 (PDF) (nejcga.gov)
- ^ Northeastern Judicial Circuit, administrative order requiring Family Law Information Center review in self-represented divorces, 2023 (PDF) (nejcga.gov)
- ^ O.C.G.A. § 15-6-1, judicial circuits (Justia) (law.justia.com)
- ^ Northeastern Judicial Circuit Family Law Information Center (nejcga.gov)
- ^ Northeastern Judicial Circuit, Interpretive Services (nejcga.gov)
Court rules change. If something here looks out of date, email help@divorce.city.