Jurisdiction & Venue
Where and how to file for divorce in Georgia, including residency requirements, jurisdiction, and venue rules.
All Posts in Jurisdiction & Venue
Georgia's One Year Military Divorce Exception
A person who has lived on a Georgia army post or military reservation for one year can file for divorce in an adjacent county.
Read MoreGeorgia's Six Month Residency Rule for Divorce
You must have been a bona fide Georgia resident for the six months immediately before you file your divorce petition.
Read MoreIs Georgia's Divorce Residency Rule Constitutional?
No Georgia court has struck down the six month residency requirement, and the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a longer one in another state.
Read MoreIs Georgia's Residency Rule Jurisdictional?
The six month residency requirement is subject matter jurisdiction, not a pleading formality, and it cannot be waived or agreed around.
Read MoreWho Proves Residency in a Georgia Divorce?
The spouse who files bears the burden of proving Georgia residency, and the court must give that spouse a chance to present evidence.
Read MoreDiligent Search Before Service by Publication
Georgia courts require a real effort to locate a missing spouse before allowing service by publication, and a thin affidavit will not survive review.
Read MoreHague Service in a Georgia Family Case
Georgia's service statute points to the Hague Service Convention for a spouse abroad, and Georgia courts treat the treaty as binding here.
Read MoreServing a Spouse in Another Country
Georgia allows service of divorce papers abroad, but the statute must be followed exactly -- the clerk, not your lawyer, has to mail them.
Read MoreServing an Out-of-State Spouse by Publication
A Georgia court can let you serve a spouse who lives out of state by newspaper notice, but only after you try personal service at any address you know.
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