Georgia divorce at a glance
Confirm with your county before filing — fees and rules can vary.
Divorce in Georgia: no-fault plus a long list
Georgia is unusual because it pairs a modern no-fault ground with 12 traditional fault grounds that are still on the books. The no-fault path — the marriage is irretrievably broken — is what almost everyone uses, filed as a Complaint for Divorce with the Superior Court in the county where either spouse has lived for six months. A 30-day waiting period runs after service before the court will finalize the decree.
What makes Georgia different is that the fault grounds still matter. Grounds like adultery, desertion, and cruel treatment can affect property division and alimony in ways they cannot in a pure no-fault state. In practice, most couples use no-fault, but the option shapes how contested cases are argued.
Property is divided equitably, and child support follows the Georgia Child Support Guidelines under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15. The complaint and summons forms come from the Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts, and filing fees run about $200 to $256 depending on the county.