How much does a divorce cost in Georgia in 2025?

Last updated 2026-07-09

What is the filing fee for divorce in Georgia?

The base filing fee to open a divorce in Georgia runs $215 to $235, depending on the county. That fee pays the Superior Court clerk to open your case, and the numbers come straight from the Georgia court system. ^[1]

A few counties charge a little more. Fulton County currently charges about $234. Gwinnett is $215. DeKalb sits around $220. Those figures cover filing your Petition for Divorce and nothing else. If the county sheriff has to formally serve your spouse, add $25 to $50. If you hire a private process server instead, budget $75 to $150.

Sign the petition together as a Joint Petition and some counties waive or cut the service fee, because there is no one left to serve. Confirm that with your clerk before you assume it.

Georgia charges a small fee at the finish line too. When you submit your Final Decree, some clerks add a recording or certification fee of $5 to $25. Minor, but real.

What does a full DIY uncontested divorce cost in Georgia?

Do everything yourself in a fully uncontested Georgia divorce and your total out-of-pocket cost usually lands between $300 and $700. Here is how it adds up.

The court filing fee is $215 to $235. ^[1] A pre-built document packet, if you want one to keep your forms correct, costs $100 to $200. File a joint petition and your spouse signs voluntarily, and you skip sheriff service fees. Some counties want a notary on certain forms, which is $5 to $15. A certified copy of your final decree, which you will need for name changes and account updates, costs $5 to $10 per copy.

The cost people underestimate is time. Georgia enforces a 30-day waiting period after the petition is filed before a judge can sign the final decree. ^[2] When everything is agreed and your paperwork is clean, judges in uncontested cases often sign without either spouse setting foot in a courtroom. That best case is genuinely reachable for people with no minor children, simple assets, and a cooperative spouse.

Minor children change the math. Georgia requires a parenting plan, and many counties require both parents to complete an online parenting seminar. Those seminars typically cost $25 to $35 per person through state-approved providers. ^[3]

DivorceClear's $149 document packet covers the full set of Georgia-specific uncontested forms and takes most of the paperwork risk out of this. That is one option. You can also download blank forms at no cost from Georgia Legal Aid or your county's Superior Court self-help center. ^[4]

How much does a Georgia divorce cost with an attorney?

Attorney rates in Georgia swing hard by market. Atlanta family law attorneys generally charge $250 to $450 per hour. In Macon or Augusta, expect $150 to $250 per hour. ^[5]

For an uncontested divorce where the attorney just drafts and reviews documents, most Georgia family lawyers charge a flat fee of $1,500 to $3,500. That price assumes both spouses already agree on property, debt, support, and custody.

The moment a case turns contested, meaning you disagree on even one significant issue, the meter runs fast. Most contested Georgia divorces require a retainer of $2,500 to $5,000 upfront just to begin. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers reports that contested U.S. divorce cases average over $15,000 per person once they reach a full hearing or trial. ^[5] Georgia cases involving business valuation, real estate disputes, or custody fights can pass $30,000 per spouse.

Mediation is common in Georgia courts and judges sometimes order it before trial. A private mediator typically charges $150 to $300 per hour, split between the parties, with sessions running three to six hours. Some counties run court-connected mediation on a sliding scale.

Worried about cost? Settle every issue before you file. Each item you and your spouse resolve on your own is a billable hour you never pay for. Our guide to divorce lawyers has more on how fees scale with case complexity.

Georgia divorce cost comparison: DIY vs. attorney-assisted vs. contested

The table below lays out realistic total cost ranges for three common divorce paths in Georgia. These are estimates built on typical county fees, published attorney rate surveys, and court cost data. Your case can land outside these ranges.

Divorce type	Typical total cost	Timeline
DIY uncontested (no children, simple assets)	$300 to $700	6 to 10 weeks
Uncontested with attorney drafting paperwork	$1,500 to $3,500	6 to 14 weeks
Uncontested with attorneys on both sides	$3,000 to $6,000	8 to 16 weeks
Contested, settled before trial	$8,000 to $20,000	6 to 18 months
Contested, goes to hearing or trial	$15,000 to $50,000+	12 to 36 months

The gap between a DIY uncontested case and a fully litigated one is enormous. A few hundred dollars on one end, a second mortgage on the other. If there is any way to agree with your spouse before filing, that agreement is worth more than almost any financial move you will make in this process.

Does Georgia require a separation period before divorce?

Georgia does not require physical separation before you file. ^[2] You can file the day you decide to end the marriage.

What Georgia does require is a 30-day waiting period after the petition is served on the respondent (or after both parties sign a joint petition) before a judge can enter a final decree. ^[2] The statute is O.C.G.A. § 19-5-10, which states: "No divorce shall be granted until 30 days have elapsed from the filing of the petition." ^[2]

In practice, most uncontested Georgia divorces take 45 to 90 days from filing to final decree, because courts run on their own schedule. The 30-day minimum is the floor, not the average. In busy counties like Fulton or Gwinnett, count on 60 to 90 days even for a fully agreed case.

What are the residency requirements for a Georgia divorce?

At least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. ^[6] That rule comes from O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2. You file in the Superior Court of the county where the respondent lives, or, if the respondent is not a Georgia resident, in the county where the petitioner lives.

That six-month clock matters if you just moved here or your spouse left the state. File too early and the court dismisses your case, and you eat the filing fee. Wait until you cross six months of Georgia residency before you pay the clerk.

Are there additional costs in a Georgia divorce with children?

Yes, and they climb faster than most people expect.

Georgia requires a parenting plan in every divorce with minor children. ^[3] Agree on custody and visitation, and you write the plan yourselves and submit it, with no extra court cost. If you cannot agree, the court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) to investigate the children's best interests and make a recommendation. GAL fees in Georgia typically run $1,500 to $5,000 or more, paid by one or both parents as the court orders.

Child support is calculated using an income shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. ^[7] The state publishes a Child Support Calculator on the Georgia Department of Human Services website. ^[7] Running the numbers costs nothing. Fighting over the numbers costs attorney hours.

Many Georgia counties require parents to complete a court-approved parenting seminar before the case finalizes. Fees run $25 to $35 per person. ^[3] Some counties call it a "Family Transition" program. Check your county's Superior Court website for the specifics.

You can estimate what you might owe with our child support calculator before you file, which sets realistic expectations going into negotiations.

Can you get a fee waiver for Georgia divorce filing fees?

Yes. Georgia courts let you file an Affidavit of Indigency (also called an In Forma Pauperis application) to request a waiver of filing fees when you cannot afford them. ^[8] The court reviews your income and expenses. If approved, the filing fee, and sometimes the service fee, are waived.

No statute sets a strict income cutoff, but courts generally look at whether your income falls at or below 125% to 150% of the federal poverty level. The 2025 federal poverty level for a single person is $15,650 per year, so a gross income under roughly $23,500 could put you in range for consideration. ^[8]

Georgia Legal Aid and the State Bar of Georgia's Lawyer Referral Service both help low-income residents apply for fee waivers and sometimes connect them with pro bono representation. ^[4][11]

What hidden costs catch Georgia divorce filers off guard?

A handful of expenses show up that almost nobody budgets for.

Property appraisals. Own a home and disagree on its value, and you need an appraisal. That runs $400 to $600 in most Georgia markets. Even in an uncontested divorce, if you trade the house for other assets, a formal appraisal gives both spouses a number they can defend.

QDRO fees. Splitting a 401(k) or pension requires a Qualified Domestic Relations Order. Some plan administrators charge $300 to $600 to review and implement a QDRO, on top of what you pay an attorney or QDRO specialist to draft it.

Debt refinancing. If the decree says your spouse must refinance the mortgage into their own name, that triggers lender closing costs of $2,000 to $5,000. Not a court cost, but real money out of pocket.

Name change follow-up. The decree handles the legal name change itself, but updating Social Security, the DMV, bank accounts, and your passport all take time and, in a few cases, small fees. The Social Security Administration charges nothing for a name change. The Georgia DMV charges $32 for a replacement driver's license. ^[9]

Postage and certified mail. It sounds trivial, until your spouse is hard to serve or lives out of state. Certified mail fees, affidavit of service fees, and publication fees for a missing spouse add $100 to $500.

If alimony is part of your settlement, the tax and long-term financial effects can dwarf every court cost combined. Our guide to alimony covers how Georgia courts set spousal support and what to expect.

How does Georgia calculate alimony and does it affect divorce cost?

Georgia uses no formula for alimony. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-1, judges weigh the standard of living during the marriage, each spouse's earning capacity, the length of the marriage, and contributions to the household, among other factors. ^[10] No statutory cap. No guaranteed minimum.

Contested alimony drives up attorney fees fast. It is one of the most expensive parts of Georgia divorce litigation, because it pulls in financial discovery, sometimes expert witnesses, and often several hearings.

Agree on alimony (including agreeing that neither spouse pays anything) and it becomes a single line in your settlement agreement, costing nothing extra in court fees. One more reason reaching agreement before you file pays off.

Is a DIY divorce in Georgia actually safe to do yourself?

For the right case, yes. For the wrong case, no.

A DIY Georgia divorce works well when you both agree on everything, you have been married under 10 years, you have no minor children or already have a written custody agreement, your marital assets are simple (a joint account, maybe one car), and neither of you holds significant retirement accounts or real estate.

It gets risky when you own real property together, one spouse has a pension or substantial 401(k), there are minor children and custody is genuinely uncertain, one spouse suspects the other of hiding assets, or there is any history of domestic violence or coercion. In those cases, a divorce attorney earns the cost.

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority and Georgia Legal Aid both offer self-help resources and blank forms. ^[1][4] Pairing those with a reliable document packet cuts your odds of rejection for a technical error. Courts do reject improperly formatted petitions, and re-filing means paying fees again.

Nobody has good statewide data on how many DIY filings get rejected on the first try. Anecdotally, the most common reasons are missing notarization, filing in the wrong county, and leaving out the required domestic standing order.

How long does a divorce take in Georgia, and does time affect cost?

Time and cost move together in a divorce. The longer the case runs, the more it costs.

The legal minimum is 31 days from filing to final decree (a 30-day waiting period plus the day of signing). In practice, uncontested cases in most Georgia counties close in 45 to 90 days. Contested cases average 12 to 24 months in most metro counties. Custody disputes or big asset fights can drag on two to three years.

Every month a case stays open means more attorney time, more discovery, possibly more hearings, and more emotional wear. A case that settles the day before trial still typically costs 80% of a full trial, because most of the work happens in preparation.

The 30-day waiting period is set by O.C.G.A. § 19-5-10 and cannot be waived. ^[2] Past that floor, your timeline comes down to how fast you and your spouse agree, and how crowded your county's Superior Court docket is.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to get a divorce in Georgia?

The cheapest path is a joint uncontested divorce where both spouses sign the petition together, which cuts service costs. You file your own paperwork using free forms from Georgia Legal Aid or a low-cost document packet, pay the $215 to $235 filing fee, and submit a signed settlement agreement. No attorneys, no hearings. Total cost can drop to $250 to $350 in counties with lower filing fees.

How much does an uncontested divorce cost in Georgia?

An uncontested Georgia divorce costs $215 to $235 in court filing fees. DIY with your own paperwork totals $300 to $700. Hiring an attorney to draft and file the documents typically runs $1,500 to $3,500 as a flat fee. If both spouses retain separate attorneys who agree quickly, budget $3,000 to $6,000. The biggest cost variable is whether you need professional help or can handle the paperwork yourself.

Do both spouses have to agree for an uncontested divorce in Georgia?

Yes. An uncontested divorce in Georgia means both spouses agree on every issue: division of property and debt, spousal support, and, if applicable, custody, visitation, and child support. If your spouse contests even one issue, the case turns contested and costs can jump from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars. Getting full written agreement before filing is the strongest cost-control move you can make.

How long does an uncontested divorce take in Georgia?

Realistically, 45 to 90 days from filing to final decree. The statutory minimum is 30 days under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-10, but courts need time to process paperwork and schedule the judge's review. In rural counties with lighter dockets, you may hit 35 to 45 days. In Fulton or Cobb County, 60 to 90 days is more common even on clean, agreed cases.

Can I file for divorce in Georgia without a lawyer?

Yes. Georgia allows pro se (self-represented) divorce filings in Superior Court. Free blank forms are available through Georgia Legal Aid and most county Superior Court self-help centers. The process works best for uncontested cases with no minor children and straightforward finances. For cases with children, real estate, retirement accounts, or any dispute, at least a consultation with a family law attorney is worth the cost.

What forms do I need to file for divorce in Georgia?

At minimum you need a Petition for Divorce, a Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit, and a Final Judgment and Decree. With children, add a Parenting Plan and a Child Support Worksheet. If both spouses file jointly, you also need a Settlement Agreement. Your county's Superior Court clerk can tell you exactly which forms they require. Georgia Legal Aid publishes a free checklist for uncontested divorces.

Does Georgia have a residency requirement for divorce?

Yes. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. You file in the Superior Court of the county where the respondent lives. If the respondent lives outside Georgia, you file in the petitioner's county. Filing before you hit the six-month mark gets your case dismissed and you forfeit the filing fee.

What is the filing fee for divorce in Georgia by county?

Filing fees vary slightly by county but generally run $215 to $235. Fulton County charges about $234, Gwinnett charges $215, and DeKalb charges around $220. Check your county's Superior Court website before you go, since fees change. Sheriff service fees add $25 to $50 on top of the filing fee when formal service is required.

Can I get my Georgia divorce filing fee waived?

Yes. File an Affidavit of Indigency (In Forma Pauperis) with the court clerk. If the judge approves it, filing fees and sometimes service fees are waived. Courts look at whether your income sits at or near the federal poverty level (about $15,650 for a single person in 2025). Georgia Legal Aid can help you prepare the affidavit if you qualify and need assistance.

How is property divided in a Georgia divorce?

Georgia is an equitable distribution state, meaning courts divide marital property fairly but not necessarily 50/50. Judges weigh each spouse's contributions, earning capacity, the length of the marriage, and other factors. In an uncontested divorce, you and your spouse can divide property however you agree, and the court will generally approve a reasonable settlement. Separate property (owned before marriage or received as a gift or inheritance) is typically not divided.

Does Georgia require a separation period before you can file for divorce?

No. Georgia has no mandatory separation period before filing. You can file a petition the same day you decide to end the marriage. Once filed, a mandatory 30-day waiting period runs before the judge can sign the final decree under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-10. That waiting period cannot be waived, no matter how fast both spouses agree on everything.

What does a contested divorce cost in Georgia?

Contested Georgia divorces routinely cost $8,000 to $20,000 per person for cases that settle before trial. Cases that reach a full hearing or trial often top $15,000 to $30,000 per spouse, and complex disputes over business valuations, large retirement accounts, or long custody battles can exceed $50,000 per side. Attorney hourly rates in metro Atlanta run $250 to $450. The biggest cost driver is how long the disagreement lasts.

Is alimony common in Georgia divorces, and how does it affect costs?

Alimony is not automatic in Georgia and is less common in shorter marriages. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-1, judges weigh factors like marriage length, standard of living, and each spouse's earning capacity. If alimony is agreed, it is just a line in your settlement and costs nothing extra. If contested, expect it to raise attorney fees sharply, potentially adding thousands in discovery and hearing time.

What happens if my spouse cannot be found to serve divorce papers in Georgia?

If you cannot locate your spouse after a diligent search, Georgia law allows service by publication: you publish a notice in a newspaper of general circulation in the county for four consecutive weeks. Publication fees typically run $100 to $300 depending on the paper. You must file an affidavit documenting your search. The court can then proceed with a default divorce after the publication period ends.

Sources

1. Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority, Filing Fees: Georgia Superior Court divorce filing fees run $215 to $235 depending on county
2. Georgia Code O.C.G.A. § 19-5-10, 30-day waiting period: No divorce shall be granted until 30 days have elapsed from the filing of the petition
3. Georgia Courts, Parenting Plans and Family Seminar Requirements: Georgia requires a parenting plan and many counties require a parenting seminar costing $25 to $35 per person in divorces with minor children
4. American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Divorce Cost Survey: Contested divorce cases in the United States average over $15,000 per person when they go through a full hearing or trial
5. Georgia Code O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, Residency Requirements: At least one spouse must have been a Georgia resident for six months before filing for divorce
6. Georgia Department of Human Services, Child Support Calculator: Georgia uses an income shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15 and provides a public child support calculator
7. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines: The 2025 federal poverty level for a single person is $15,650 per year, used as a baseline for Georgia fee waiver eligibility
8. Georgia Department of Driver Services: The Georgia DMV charges $32 for a replacement driver's license after a name change
9. Georgia Code O.C.G.A. § 19-6-1, Alimony Factors: Georgia judges consider standard of living, earning capacity, marriage length, and contributions when deciding alimony; there is no formula
10. State Bar of Georgia, Lawyer Referral and Pro Bono Services: The State Bar of Georgia operates a Lawyer Referral Service and pro bono programs for low-income divorce filers