Georgia family law resources
Free guides for parents in Georgia custody and support cases, with links to the official statutes, court rules, and forms
What do you need help with?
I want to file for custody
Divorce with children, a legitimation petition, or a complaint about custody, and where each is filed
I am an unmarried father
Why legitimation comes first, and how to ask for custody or parenting time in the same petition
I want to change a custody order
A material change in circumstances, the two-year rule for visitation reviews, and where to file
I need child support or want it changed
The income shares worksheet, the parenting time adjustment, and when support can be modified
I have to write a parenting plan
What O.C.G.A. § 19-9-1 requires and the statewide form in Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.10
I want to move with my child
The 30-day notice of a change of residence and what can follow
The other parent is not following the order
Contempt, income withholding, and license suspension
I need an emergency or temporary order
Family violence protective orders and temporary custody while a case is pending
The Family Court Playbook: Georgia Edition
13 guides from start to finish
Step 1
How Custody Court Works in Georgia
The superior court, who decides custody, the people you will meet, and the statewide rules
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Step 2
Custody Types and the Best Interest Factors in Georgia
Joint and sole custody and the best interest factors in O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3
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Step 3
How to Start a Custody Case in Georgia
Which case to file, where to file it, and what goes with the complaint
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Step 4
Legitimation: How an Unmarried Father Gets Custody Rights in Georgia
The petition under O.C.G.A. § 19-7-22 and the custody claims it can include
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Step 5
Parenting Plans in Georgia
What every plan must contain and what happens if you do not file one
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Step 6
How to Modify a Custody Order in Georgia
Changing custody or parenting time, the two-year rule, and the child’s election at 14
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Step 7
Verifications, Affidavits, and Notaries in Georgia Family Court
Sworn pleadings, notaries, and the narrow rule for unsworn declarations
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Step 8
How to Prepare Evidence for a Georgia Custody Case
Discovery, hearsay, authentication, subpoenas, and temporary hearing limits
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Step 9
How Child Support Is Calculated in Georgia
Gross income, the obligation table, adjustments, deviations, and modification
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Step 10
The Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit in Georgia
The Domestic Relations Financial Affidavit and the five-day service rule
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Step 11
How to Serve Custody Papers in Georgia
The summons, sheriff and process server service, acknowledgment, and publication
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Step 12
Mediation and Parenting Seminars in Georgia Custody Cases
Court-referred mediation, confidentiality, domestic violence screening, and parenting seminars
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Step 13
What to Expect at a Georgia Custody Hearing
Temporary and final hearings, findings of fact, and appeal deadlines
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More guides
Specific topics and situations
Official Georgia sources
Family law self-help
Judicial Council of Georgia self-help pages on custody, parenting plans, legitimation, support, and divorce forms
Georgia Child Support Commission
The official child support calculator and worksheet guidance
Superior Court standard forms
Supreme Court of Georgia forms, including the summons and family violence protective order forms
Uniform Superior Court Rules
Rule 24 covers domestic relations: financial affidavits, guardians ad litem, and parenting plans
Custody schedule builder
Lay out a custody schedule on a real calendar and count each parent’s overnights
Build a schedule →
Onbello is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. These guides are general legal information about Georgia law and court rules, with sources listed on each page. The Supreme Court of Georgia’s standard forms do not include a custody petition, and many superior courts publish their own forms and procedures, so check with your county’s superior court as well.