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Divorce in Paulding County, Georgia: costs, court rules and local help
Summary
Divorces in Paulding County are filed with the Paulding County Superior Court. The filing fee is $215, and sheriff service is $50 for one person served ($265 with the filing fee).
Paulding County is its own judicial circuit, the Paulding Judicial Circuit.[1] Online parenting classes you watch on your own don't count here: the seminar has to be in person or live video where you stay on camera.[2]
Where to file
Paulding County Clerk of Superior Court
280 Constitution Boulevard, Room 1023
Dallas, GA 30132
Phone: 770-443-7527[3]
Filing fee
$215 to file. Sheriff service: $50 for one person served ($265 with the filing fee).[4]
Parenting class
In a divorce with minor children, both parents must attend a seminar of at least four hours run by the Seventh Judicial Administrative District, in person or by live video where you stay visible the whole time. Recorded online courses aren't accepted. There's a fee unless it's waived, and the completion certificate must be filed with the clerk within 30 days after the divorce is filed. Another program can count if it meets the court's requirements and the provider certifies that.[2]
Mediation
Paulding uses the Seventh District's mediation rules, which the court updated on August 19, 2026. In a contested divorce, the first mediation session must take place within 60 days after the other spouse is served, unless the court orders otherwise, and spouses have to try mediation before a temporary hearing is scheduled unless there's an emergency. Besides the domestic relations financial affidavit, each spouse must share last year's W-2s and 1099s, last year's federal tax return and recent retirement account statements.[5]
Standing order
A standing order signed June 13, 2024 applies to every divorce and other domestic case. It binds the filing spouse when the case is filed and the other spouse once served, and a copy is attached to the complaint. It bars taking the children out of the court's jurisdiction without permission; changing the children's custody arrangement from what it was when you separated, or blocking reasonable contact with the other parent; harassing or threatening the other party or the children; selling or hiding property except in the ordinary course of business; and cutting off home utilities or canceling auto, health or life insurance.[6]
Also good to know
An uncontested divorce can be granted without a hearing on a written motion. The file has to show that both spouses agreed to a hearing any time 31 days after service and gave up a jury, and that they signed a witnessed agreement covering custody, child support, alimony, property and debts. With children, child support has to follow the state guidelines and both parents have to have completed the parenting seminar.[7]
Free and low-cost help in Paulding County
- Paulding County Law Library. Open to the public, including people handling their own case, with Georgia statutes, court rules, family law books and Westlaw. Open weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Paulding County Justice Center, 280 Constitution Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Dallas, GA 30132
Phone: 770-443-7505[8] - SHARE House. A state-certified family violence program serving Douglas and Paulding counties. The number below is its 24-hour crisis line; its office is 770-949-0626.
Phone: 770-489-7513[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.[12] Paulding's Court Administrator coordinates and schedules qualified interpreters for court proceedings.[11]
Paulding County Superior Court website
Sources
- ^ O.C.G.A. § 15-6-1, judicial circuits (Justia) (law.justia.com)
- ^ Paulding Judicial Circuit, standing order on the parenting seminar (PDF): key points and parenting class (paulding.gov)
- ^ Paulding County Clerk of Superior Court (paulding.gov)
- ^ Paulding County Clerk of Superior Court, civil case filing fees (paulding.gov)
- ^ Paulding Judicial Circuit, order adopting mediation rules (PDF) (paulding.gov)
- ^ Paulding Judicial Circuit, standing order on injunctive relief in domestic cases (PDF) (paulding.gov)
- ^ Paulding Judicial Circuit, standing order on judgment on the pleadings (PDF) (paulding.gov)
- ^ Paulding County Law Library (paulding.gov)
- ^ Georgia Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, state-certified family violence agencies (PDF) (cjcc.georgia.gov)
- ^ Georgia Legal Services Program, what we do (glsp.org)
- ^ Paulding County Superior Court, Court Administration (paulding.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.