Navigating Family Court in Metro Atlanta

Divorce, custody, visitation, and family safety cases move through the superior courts of Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Gwinnett counties every day. This site explains how those courts work, what to expect at each stage, and where to find help — in plain English, with no agenda and no legal jargon.

Why family court feels confusing — and how this site helps

In Georgia, there is no single building called "family court." Family law matters — divorce, child custody, visitation (called "parenting time" in many orders), legitimation, child support, and family violence protective orders — are handled by the superior court of each county. Every county runs its family division a little differently: different filing procedures, different required parenting classes, different self-help resources, and different courthouse layouts.

If you live in the Atlanta metro, your case will most likely be heard in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, or Gwinnett County Superior Court, depending on where the parties live. Each of our county guides covers what that court handles, where it sits, how a typical custody or visitation case moves from filing to final order, and what local requirements (like mandatory parenting seminars) you should expect.

County family court guides

• Fulton County Family Court

  The Family Division of Fulton County Superior Court in downtown Atlanta — one of the busiest family dockets in Georgia.

• DeKalb County Family Court

  DeKalb County Superior Court in Decatur: divorce, custody, legitimation, and protective orders for DeKalb residents.

• Cobb County Family Court

  Cobb County Superior Court in Marietta, including its domestic/family case procedures and parenting seminar requirement.

• Gwinnett County Family Court

  Gwinnett County Superior Court in Lawrenceville and how family cases flow through the Gwinnett Justice & Administration Center.

Understanding supervised visitation

One of the most common — and most misunderstood — orders in metro Atlanta custody cases is supervised visitation: parenting time that takes place in the presence of a neutral third party. Courts order it in a range of situations, from allegations that need to be sorted out, to reunification after a long absence, to high-conflict exchanges where the parents simply should not meet face to face.

Our supervised visitation explainer covers what it is, when Georgia courts order it, the different formats (supervised visits, monitored exchanges, therapeutic supervision, and virtual visits), and what a typical session looks like. If you have been ordered to use a provider, see how to find a supervised visitation provider in the Atlanta metro, including practical vetting questions to ask before you book.

Help beyond the courtroom

Family cases rarely stay inside the courthouse. Depending on your situation, you may also deal with:

• Georgia DFCS — the Division of Family & Children Services, which investigates child welfare concerns and sometimes participates in custody cases.
• Police & emergency resources — non-emergency lines for metro police departments, when to involve law enforcement in a custody exchange problem, and Georgia family violence resources.
• Legal aid & self-help — free and low-cost legal help, including Atlanta Legal Aid and the Georgia Legal Services Program, plus the basics of representing yourself (pro se).
• Co-parenting resources — the parenting classes Georgia courts commonly require, plus communication tools that reduce conflict and create a record.

Quick answers

Looking for something specific? The frequently asked questions page answers common searches like "what happens at a supervised visit," "who pays for supervised visitation in Georgia," and "how do I file for custody without a lawyer in Atlanta."

A note on accuracy

Courts change addresses, phone numbers, standing orders, and procedures without much notice. We describe things as they are generally understood from public sources, and we flag anything you should double-check with the phrase "verify with the court." Before you drive to a courthouse or rely on a deadline, confirm the details with the clerk of court directly.