How Much Does It Cost To File For Divorce In Gwinnett County, GA?

Filing for divorce in Gwinnett County, Georgia, generally costs a little under $300. Those are just the initial filing expenses and does not include the cost of an attorney. The longer and more contentious the divorce case, the more expensive it will be. On top of the court filing costs, you may have to prepare for lawyer fees, mediator fees, parenting program fee, court reporter costs, subpoenas and the cost to secure documents from the other side, and other costs.

Cost To File For Divorce: Basic Divorce Filing Fees In Gwinnett County, GA  (2025)

Court Filing

To file for divorce, you will need to complete a packet of forms from the Gwinnett County Superior Court. (The forms are downloadable from their website.) File the paperwork with the court clerk, physically located on the first floor of the Gwinnett County Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

There is a filing fee of $220, as of May 2025. This is subject to change at any time, but is usually reviewed annually

Service

Next, the Summons included in your paperwork must be formally served to your spouse to notify them of the divorce action. Before any divorce case can move forward, the petitioning spouse must put the other spouse on notice that the marriage is over and formally assert that a divorce is pending and include the legal reasons why the divorce is being requested.   Formal service is usually done by the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Department for a $50 fee. Alternatively, you may hire a private process server instead, who will charge their own variable fee. If your spouse cannot be located, you can file motions and submit evidence showing your efforts to serve the other party and requesting to publish the notice in a newspaper of record, typically for a fee of around $80.

Parenting Class

In Gwinnett County, all divorcing couples with minor children are required to attend a four-hour parenting education seminar. The class helps parents understand the grief that families and children face when going through a divorce. It also provides coparenting tips and helps parents understand how to talk to their children about divorce.  By understanding the impact that the separation and communication dynamics have on the children and developing age-appropriate communication strategies, parents can better help their children adjust and focus on the positive aspects of the divorce. The registration fee is $52 per parent. The Gwinnett County Class is called Navigating Family Change. All parents of minor children are required to attend this class before a divorce will be granted. Before COVID, the class was offered in person only.  After Covid, the class is now available by attending an interactive online class that allows you to ask questions and participate with other parents facing divorce. To register click on the following link: https://cnfc.org/nfc-online/

Mediation

. In a contested divorce, where the parties disagree on one or more issues, the judge may require the couple to go through an out-of-court dispute resolution called mediation.  While some Georgia counties require mediation for all contested divorces, Gwinnett County does not require mediation.  There is, however, at least one judge who usually mandates mediation in most of her cases.  Some of the other Gwinnett County judges order it on a case-by-case basis reserving it for cases that they believe should be able to settle without a full trial being heard by the judge. Other Gwinnett judges only order it if the parties request a mediation order.  This entails the services of a certified mediator. In Georgia, a mediator sets his own price, but typically charges anywhere from $125 to $400 per hour.  Georgia allows the parties to use mediators who are trained professionals who are non-attorneys or licensed attorneys.  All Georgia mediators must register with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution at https://godr.org/.  When working with Attorney Sharon Jackson, LLC in Gwinnett County, we only use mediators who are licensed attorneys. The Gwinnett Office of Dispute Resolution has stricter and additional requirements than other counties, such as DeKalb County, that allow non-attorney mediators for domestic cases. If you are seeking a mediator in Gwinnett, the Alternative Dispute Resolution department provides a list at the following link:  https://www.gwinnettcourts.com/court-programs/adr-processes. Divorce is a complicated legal process.  We feel that an attorney mediator who has handled divorce cases in the past better understands the legal requirements for a settlement that will last the parties over time and will meet with the judge’s approval.   We also prefer to work with mediators who are full-time neutrals and not attorneys who litigate some of the time and act as neutrals part-time.  Acting as a neutral simply means that the attorney is a full-time mediator and/or Guardian ad litem, attorney for a minor child making them neutral to the divorcing parties.

FAQs About Georgia Divorce

How much does a Divorce in Georgia Cost?

If you call any law firm, they are going to be reluctant to give you a firm price quote on how much it costs for a divorce. They are likely to respond with the favorite attorney answer, “it depends.”   Lawyers are reluctant to give a range because people often expect the most favorable end of the range, when in reality every case is unique and different.   

A contested case means that the parties disagree over at least one issue and are unable to settle the case themselves because neither will give in on those issues. While many contested cases can be resolved between $12,000-$22,000, not all cases will fall into that range.  Cases where the parties both compromise and settle quickly can be less expensive. Generally, the longer the case lasts, the more money the case costs.

If the parties have complex issues such as domestic violence, allegations of drug or alcohol abuse, concerns about parental fitness, requests for mental health evaluations, those cases are expensive because motions must be filed, more court appearances are required, and more time is spent engaging third parties and analyzing evidence.

Also, the complexity of assets matters.  Most people have one home, two cars, and retirement plans.  If parties have broad assets and investments, own multiple homes in different states or different countries, the case will be considered a high asset case and require more work. If both spouses are W2 employees and work for companies where their income can easily be verified, this is much easier than cases where one or both spouses are self-employed, own a business, or have multiple side hustles.

In a typical case, the more the parties disagree, the more the case costs. Trial and trial preparation are the costliest aspects of a divorce. If the case can be settled before a trial is scheduled, this will save both parties time, stress, and money.

Why Is Contested Divorce More Expensive?

An uncontested divorce proceeds without dispute – both spouses agree on all matters and sign the settlement agreement straight away. But in a contested divorce, unresolved disagreements on property division, spousal support, child custody, or other issues can lengthen the process and increase the costs for each party.

One major consideration is having a lawyer. It is wise to be guided by an attorney if your spouse is disputing your legal claims. Most divorce lawyers ask for an initial upfront payment called a retainer fee, then bill by the hour against this retainer. Others charge flat rates instead, with a schedule of fees outlining the various types of divorce cases and their corresponding flat rates.

In both types of billing, a contested divorce will cost more, either because it requires more lawyer hours or is set with a higher flat fee.

Apart from a lawyer, you might also need to enlist an expert on your side, particularly if the divorce case proceeds to litigation. Matters such as child custody may require a child development expert or a mental health professional to testify in a hearing. Children are seldom allowed to testify and most statements they make are considered hearsay if they are not present in the courtroom and subject to cross-examination.  If you have more complex legal issues, such as assets, debts, and taxes, you may also want to hire the appropriate experts to advise you. Such professionals will charge their own fees for their services.

Along with all this, miscellaneous expenses will also pile up the longer the divorce takes. Paperwork, postage, and transportation are some common expenditures to factor in.

Is there a way to mitigate the costs of a contested divorce? One option is to go through mediation. Facilitated by a neutral mediator, this process aims to help the spouses find common ground in a less antagonistic manner. Many mediated divorces are settled without going to court, cutting the duration and costs of the divorce proceedings.

If you and your spouse choose mediation – or if you are mandated by a judge to do so – you’ll need to consider the mediator’s fee, which you will typically have to pay individually. Note, however, that not all divorce cases can be resolved via mediation. Some couples have extremely contentious relationships which this dispute resolution may not work for them. Mediation is also not appropriate if there is a history of abuse between the spouses.

Can Filing Fees Be Waived?

Certain court filing fees in Gwinnett County may be waived (cancelled) for individuals with an indigent status, which means that you must fall below a defined poverty level to qualify To get a fee waiver, you must file a “pauper’s affidavit”, in which you correctly disclose your financial information. A judge will then decide whether or not to grant you indigent status.

Do I need a lawyer to file for a divorce?

You are not required to have a lawyer to file for a divorce in Georgia.  If you have no minor children, no retirement, no debts, and don’t own a home, you may decide that it is cheaper for you to DIY and learn what you need to know online and self-file. If you don’t have time to learn what it takes lawyers years to learn or if you just want the convenience of not having to go to court if your case settles, then you should hire a lawyer who focuses on divorce and family law, not someone who dabbles in it. If you have kids, vehicles, debts, a 401 (k), or any property, you are strongly encouraged to hire an experienced divorce lawyer. I receive calls every week from someone who wish they had a do over because a divorce was done poorly by a non-lawyer or a criminal or immigration lawyer and it failed to contemplate key terms or protection and resulted in a loss of money, the inability to sell a home, unclear rights or responsibilities about the children, or other unenforceable terms that they thought were understood between the parties.

Contact A Family Law Attorney You Can Trust

If you have questions or concerns about your particular divorce situation, reach out to a reliable attorney for sound legal advice. Trust in Attorney Sharon Jackson. She is a leading divorce lawyer who has been helping Gwinnett County clients for 20 years, guiding them to their best options in the divorce process.

Call Attorney Sharon Jackson, the top-rated Gwinnett County family lawyer, today at (678)436-3636 to schedule your consultation. You may also contact her through an online form.