Pataula Judicial Circuit
Clay, Early, Miller, Randolph, Quitman, Terrell, & Seminole
counties
Instructions for filing a CONTESTED DIVORCE without children1
Quick Facts:

You must file a complaint for divorce in the Superior Court to end a marriage in
Georgia. You can either hire an attorney2 that is licensed to practice in Georgia who
will prepare your case and represent you in court, or you can use the sample forms
included in this packet and represent yourself in court. NOTE: YOU MAY NOT NEED
ALL OF THE FORMS OR YOU MAY NEED ADDITIONAL FORMS (NOT INCLUDED IN
THIS PACKET) THAT YOU CAN FIND ON THIS WEBSITE.3

If you represent yourself, you are considered to be pro se4.

After a court issues a final judgment and decree5, you can remarry.

A contested divorce is one in which the parties cannot work out an agreement
regarding issues such as alimony, property division of debts, etc. The judge is
responsible for settling arguments between the parties. The parties are responsible
for presenting evidence to support their case at trial. Discovery can include
depositions, interrogatories, requests for production of documents, and other
procedures. You are responsible for doing the discovery for your own case.

If one or more of the following situations below applies to you, then you MAY WANT
TO CONTACT AN ATTORNEY BEFORE PROCEEDING.
o
The case becomes contested and your spouse has a lawyer.
o
You cannot find your spouse to serve him or her with your papers.
o
You think you will have difficulty getting information and documents from
your spouse regarding income, retirement funds, etc.
Use black ink only or type in the fillable form.
PLEASE PRINT THEM LEGIBLY. Failure to provide improper,
incomplete, or illegible forms will delay the filing and ultimate finalization of your divorce. NOTE: ONCE THE
DIVORCE IS FILED YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SETTING UP YOUR FINAL DIVORCE HEARING
1
Please note that these forms are free to download, but no one in the court (personnel in the judges’ offices or clerks’ offices) can assist you
with legal advice or help you fill out these forms. If you need assistance, please get the advice of a Georgia licensed attorney.
2 All attorneys licensed in Georgia are listed at https://www.members.gabar.org/Custom/Directory/
3 This may be required if you would like a restraining order, etc.
4 Pro se means you are NOT represented by an attorney and court personnel cannot assist you.
5 This will take at least 31 days to finalize.
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DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS6:
STEP 1: Complete the Domestic Relations Filing Information Form.
To complete the Filing Information form:
1. In the top line, fill in the county where you are filing and the date filed.
2. In the second line, fill in the names of the Plaintiff and Defendant.
3. Where it says “Plaintiff/Petitioner’s Attorney,” check the box which says “Pro Se.”
4. In the left-hand box, check “Divorce.”
5. In the right hand box, indicate whether or not you are asking for relief from family
violence by checking yes or no in the appropriate boxes.7
STEP 2: Complete the Complaint for Divorce.
Fill in your full name as the Plaintiff and your spouse’s full name as Defendant. Do not fill in
where it says Civil Action File No. because your case has not been assigned a case number
yet. Insert your name in the space provided just before paragraph one (1).
1. Paragraph 1: Subject Matter Jurisdiction
a. Check box a) if you have lived in the state of Georgia for at least six months
prior to filing your complaint for divorce.
b. Check box b) if you are not a resident of the state of Georgia, but your
spouse has lived in Georgia and in the county where you are filing for at least
six months prior to your filing the complaint for divorce.
c. NOTE: If neither a) or b) applies to you, you cannot file for divorce
here. The filing will have to be made in the proper jurisdiction.
2. Paragraph 2: Venue and Service
a. The venue refers to the proper place to hold a trial based on issues such as
fairness and convenience to the parties, as well as the county’s connection to
the events in dispute. In Georgia, the general rule is that the proper venue
(place) to sue a Defendant for divorce is in the Defendant’s county of
residence. This rule can be found in the 1983 Georgia Constitution, Article 6,
Section 2, Paragraph 1. You can read this online at
http://www.cviog.uga.edu/Projects/gainfo/conart6.htm.
 When the Defendant in a divorce case is incarcerated, Georgia courts
have held that venue is proper in the county where the Defendant
6
You may not need all of the forms that are included in the “Uncontested Divorce with Children” packet. Neither
the court nor its personnel can advise you which forms you will need. If you need help determining this, you may
want to seek the advice of an attorney.
7 You may have to include additional forms if this is the case.
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resided with his or her spouse before the incarceration. See Scott v.
Scott, 192 Ga. 370, 15 S.E.2d 416 (1941); McLeod v. McLeod, 144 Ga.
359, 87 S.E. 286 (1915); Barton v. Barton, 74 Ga. 761 (1885).
b. Venue in a Georgia divorce is proper in:
 The county where the Defendant resides, if s/he is a resident of
Georgia;
 The county where the Plaintiff resides, if the Defendant is not a
Georgia resident;
 Any county adjacent to a military post or reservation (for a divorce
where a party has resided on that military post or reservation for a
year before the divorce was filed)
NOTE: Venue can be waived, either by signing a waiver form or
by failing to object to improper venue IF it is the county
where the Plaintiff resides, IF the Defendant moved
from that county within 6 months of the date of
filing; AND That county was the marital domicile at
the time the parties separated.
 Acknowledgement of Service

Check box a) if your spouse will sign an Acknowledgement of
Service. You will need to give your spouse of copy of your
completed Complaint for Divorce and have him/her sign the
Acknowledgement of Service. By signing this form, your spouse
is letting the court know that he/she has received a copy of
your petition and, therefore, will not need to be served with a
copy of your petition by the sheriff.

Check box b) if your spouse lives in Georgia but does not live in
the county where you are filing; or your spouse lives in another
state and will consent (agree) to let you file for divorce in
Georgia.

Check box c) if you are having your spouse served by the
Sheriff and you are filing in the Defendant’s county.

Check box d) if you are having your spouse served by the
Sheriff and you are filing in the Plaintiff’s county. Use this
paragraph if the following statements are true:
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a. If you are filing in the county of your marital residence
(where you last lived together).
b. The Plaintiff still lives in the county of the marital
residence.
c. The Defendant moved to another Georgia county within
the previous six months.

Check box e) if you are serving a Georgia spouse who cannot
be found

Check box f) if you are serving a non-Georgia spouse. Choose
one of the following:
a. If you know where the non-Georgia spouse lives. Use
this paragraph if your spouse is subject to Georgia’s long
arm statute. The long arm statute gives a Georgia court
personal jurisdiction over a non-resident defendant if he
or she had enough contacts with the state. You will have
to do your own research to determine if your spouse is
subject to the long arm statute.
b. If you do not know where the non-Georgia spouse lives.
Use this paragraph if your spouse lives outside of
Georgia, but his or her exact whereabouts are unknown.
You will have to complete an affidavit of due diligence to
include with your packet.
3. Paragraph 3: Date of Marriage
a. Check box a) if you and your spouse have a marriage certificate. Insert the
date you were married in the space provided. (Example: 1/1/2000 or January
1, 2000)
b. Check box b) if you and your spouse are common law married. Insert the
date you and your spouse entered into your marriage in the space provided.
You were common law married if the following statements are true:
 You and your spouse were able to enter into a contract at the time you
established a common law marriage. You were over age sixteen and
mentally competent.
 You and your spouse actually entered into a contract of marriage
meaning that you and your spouse agreed that you were married.
 You and your spouse have had sexual intercourse.
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 All of the above were done before January 1, 1997.
4. Paragraph 4: Date of Separation
a. Insert in the space provided the date you and your spouse separated. It is not
essential that the husband or wife leave the marital homeplace; separation
can occur when one spouse moves into another room with the intent and
purpose of suspending conjugal rights. The suspended conjugal rights include
the company, cooperation, assistance, aid and intimacy of the other spouse in
every conjugal way. See Hosford v. Hosford, 58 Ga.App 188, 199, 198 S.E.
289(1938); Blasingame v. Blasingame, 249 Ga. 791, 294 S.E. 34 (1982).
5. Paragraph 5: Children Born of the Marriage
a. To file this paperwork, please indicate that there were no children born of this
marriage.
6. Paragraph 6: Grounds for Divorce
a. Check the reasons why you are requesting a divorce. You can check more
than one. The most common reason is that the marriage is “irretrievably
broken.” This means that you and your spouse are unable to live together,
and there is no hope that the two of you will get back together again. If you
check one of the other twelve grounds for divorce, you have to PROVE your
grounds for divorce.
7. Paragraph 7: Alimony
a. Check box a) if you are seeing temporary alimony which will last until the
divorce is final.
b. Check box b) if you are seeking alimony which is both temporary (will last
until the final decree) and permanent (will last until one of you dies or until
the spouse receiving alimony remarries). If you engaged in adultery,
desertion, cruel treatment, or other fault grounds for divorce, you will not be
able to get alimony.
8. Paragraph 8: Marital Property
a. Check box a) if you and your spouse do not have any marital property.
b. Check box b) if you and your spouse have already divided your marital
property to your mutual satisfaction.
c. Check box c) if you and your spouse have marital property which needs to be
divided up by the Court. Check off the various items of property which you
own, and give additional information if necessary.
9. Paragraph 9: Joint Debts
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a. Check box a) if you and your spouse do not have any joint debts.
b. Check box b) if you and your spouse have joint debts. Insert in the spaces
provided information about these debts. Indicate which person should pay for
each debt.
10. Paragraph 10: Name Restoration
a. Check this box if you want your former name restored to you. Insert your
name in the space provided. You cannot change your name to a different
name if it was not your former name. For example, you can return to your
maiden name or to the surname of a former spouse if you had that name in
the past.
STEP 3: Verification
TO BE PROPERLY FILED, THE VERIFICATION FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND
NOTARIZED. Complete the Verification form. Insert your name as Plaintiff and your
spouse’s name as Defendant. Do not fill in where it says Civil Action File No. The clerk will
assign a number to your case when you file your complaint. You will need to sign this
Verification in the presence of a Notary Public. Most banks and many libraries have a
notary on staff and will notarize your documents for a small fee.
STEP 4: Other Court Documents
In addition to the complaint for Divorce and the Verification, you will need to attach the
following forms to your complaint (they are in the packet):
a. Service/Venue Forms:
i. Acknowledgement of Service and Rule Nisi with Temporary
Restraining Order. Use these forms if your spouse will sign an
Acknowledgement of Service. You will need to give your spouse a copy
of your completed Complaint for Divorce and have him/her sign the
Acknowledgement of Service. By signing this form, your spouse is
letting the court know that he/she has received a copy of your petition
and, therefore, will not need to be served with a copy of your petition
by the sheriff.
ii. Defendant’s Acknowledgement of Service Affidavit of Waiver of
Venue and Personal Jurisdiction AND Rule Nisi with Temporary
Restraining Order. Use these documents if:
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1. Your spouse lives in Georgia but does not live in the county
where you are filing;
2. Your spouse lives in another state and will consent (agree) to
let you file for divorce in Georgia.
b. Certificate of Service and Rule Nisi with Temporary Restraining Order.
Use these forms if your spouse is not signing any papers with you, and you
are having him or her served with the papers by the sheriff.
c. Motion for Service by Publication and Affidavit of Due Diligence and
Notice of Summons—Service by Publication. Use these documents if you
do not know where your spouse lives despite trying hard to find him or her.
d. Lis Pendens Notice. Use this form if you and your spouse own a house or
land together.
e. Final Order needs to be completed by everyone.
How to complete the final order:

Caption: Fill in your full name as the Plaintiff and your spouse’s full name as
Defendant. Do not fill in where it says Civil Action File No. The clerk will
assign a number to your case when you file your complaint.

Please indicate whether or not the wife would like to restore her maiden name.
PLEASE PUT THE FULL NAME. Example: Jane Elizabeth Doe.
STEP 5: Financial Documents to be produced if you seek alimony
If you are seeking alimony, you must file these additional documents along with your
divorce forms. A Certificate of Service must be filed along with these documents to show
that the documents were properly served on the other party, and the date of which these
documents were served to your spouse:
1. All federal and state income tax returns, gift tax returns, and intangible and personal
property tax returns filed by the party or on the party’s behalf for the past three (3)
years.
2. IRS forms, W-2, 1099, and K-1 forms for the past year, if the income tax return for
that year has not been prepared. If an income tax form for the year has not been
filed, you must include the year end pay stub from the party’s employer should be
provided.
3. Pay stubs or other evidence of earned income for the twelve (12) months prior to the
filing of the action.
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4. A statement by the producing party identifying the amount and source of all income
received from all sources during the twelve (12) months preceding the filing of this
action if same s not reflected on the pay stubs produced.
5. All loan applications and financial statements prepared or used within the three (3)
years preceding the filing date of this action, whether used for the purpose of
obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for any other purpose.
6. The most recent statement for any liquid fund assets, including, but not limited to,
profit-sharing, 401-K, money market, stock and securities, bonds, accounts,
retirement and pension plan.
7. Corporate, partnership, and trust tax returns for the last three (3) years, if the
producing party has an interest in a corporation, partnership, or trust greater than or
equal to thirty (30) percent (%).
8. All written pre-marital or marital agreements entered into at any time between the
parties to this marriage, whether before or during the marriage.
9. Any court orders directing a party to pay or receive spousal support, even if received
from a third party.
All information must be provided to the best of your knowledge. Any materially
false statement knowingly made in these documents with the intent to defraud or
mislead shall be subject to penalty for perjury and may be considered a fraud upon
the court.
STEP 6: Fees
The filing fee for filing a divorce in the Pataula Circuit is $205.00. The fee must be paid at
the time the divorce is filed. There is another fee if a party has to be served by the Sheriff’s
Department. If the party is being served by publication, you are responsible for paying the
cost of the newspaper ads.
STEP 7: File your forms
File your original document with the Clerk of the Court. The clerk will assign your case a
number.
STEP 8: Get a hearing date
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You must contact the judge’s secretary to get a hearing date 31 DAYS AFTER THE DIVORCE
IS FILED. If you drop off the documentation, but it is rejected, THAT IS NOT CONSIDERED
YOUR FILING DATE! The filing date is the date listed with the clerk’s stamp. 8
STEP 9: Prepare your case for trial
A contested divorce requires additional preparation and documents that are not required in
an uncontested divorce. Contested divorce proceedings can be extremely complicated and
involved, so this Court recommends that you seek the advice of a Georgia licensed attorney.
If you do decide to proceed on your own, you must be prepared to complete the entire
process from filling your divorce to seeing it to completion. Civil cases require discovery and
you are responsible for completing this discovery by whatever means it may be:
interrogatories, depositions, requests for production of documents, physical and mental
examinations, or requests for admissions. If you are representing yourself, you must do
independent research to complete any and all discovery steps and procedures. No member
of this Court (judges, clerks, secretaries, or assistants) can help you with this process. If
you do not know how to complete this, you need to seek the advice of an attorney.
STEP 10: Receive the final judgment
The divorce is not final until the Final Divorce and Decree is signed by the judge. Only
after the divorce is final may either of the parties remarry.
If the complaint is not answered by your spouse, the divorce may be granted after 46 days
after he or she was served, unless the judge extends the time for a response with a court
order.
If your spouse was served by publishing a notice in the newspaper, the divorce may be
granted at any time suitable to the judge 61 days or more after the date of the first
publication.
The contested divorce process can take a long time. It can be as short as 31 days and can
take up to several years.
8
Located in the upper right hand corner.
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CONTESTED DIVORCE WITHOUT CHILDREN CHECKLIST:
1. Do I have my Domestic Relations Filing Form Completed (except for the case number
which will be provided by the Clerk of the Court?
2. Do I have my Complaint for Divorce?

If yes, does it meet the following requirements?
o I know where my spouse is and have served him or her with the
documentation of which I have documentation to show this service OR I have
provided the necessary fee and forms to have the sheriff’s office serve the
other party OR I don’t know where my spouse is, but I have made diligent
efforts to find him or her, I have provided documentation to support this
diligent search, and I will follow the rules pursuant to O.C.G.A. §9-10-71 for
Service by Publication; AND
o If I plan to use anything other than the no fault reason for divorce,
“irreconcilable differences,” I have proof to support this selection; AND
o I have indicated whether or not I require alimony and can provide financial
affidavits to support this selection; AND
o I have indicated whether or not my spouse and I require the division of
marital property, and I have provided sufficient evidence for the court to
make a determination of the division of any marital property; AND
o I have indicated whether or not my spouse and I require the division of joint
marital debt, and I have provided sufficient evidence for the court to make a
determination of the division of any marital debt; AND
o I have indicated whether or not I (or my spouse) would like her name to be
restored to a former name.
3. Do I have my Verification form?

If yes, is it properly completed and signed by the Plaintiff in the presence of a notary
public who has attested to this fact by stamping it with their seal and/or signing it?
4. Do I have the Consent to Trial 31 Days After Service and Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury?

If yes, is it properly completed and signed by the Plaintiff and Defendant in the
presence of a notary public who has attested to this fact by stamping it with their
seal and/or signing it?
5. Do I have an Acknowledgement of Service OR Defendant’s Acknowledgement of Service
Affidavit of Waiver of Venue and Personal Jurisdiction?

If yes, are they properly completed and signed by the Defendant in the presence of
a notary public who has attested to this fact by stamping it with their seal and/or
signing it?
6. Do I have a Certificate of Service?
7. Do I have a Rule Nisi with Restraining Order?
8. Have I provided the Motion for Service by Publication (see #2) if I do not know where
my spouse is located AND have I provided an Affidavit of Due Diligence for this Service
by Publication pursuant to O.C.G.A. §9-11-4(e) AND the Service for Order by Publication
AND Notice of Summons for the Service by Publication?
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9. Do I have all required financial affidavits and evidence required to support any requests
for division of property, division of debt, or alimony?
10. If I do have real property such as land or a house, have I provided a Lis Pendens
Notice?
11. Do I have a Final Divorce and Decree to provide to the judge for his signature?
IF YOU HAVE ANSWERED NO TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS, THEN YOU DO
NOT HAVE THE REQUIRED PAPERWORK TO FILE A DIVORCE IN THIS CIRCUIT.
Please secure the documents and/or meet the requirements as set forth above or consult an
attorney who will do so on your behalf.
I understand that I represent myself and that no one in the Court can assist me with any of
this process (this includes personnel in the clerk’s office and judge’s office).
________________________________ [Plaintiff] ____________ [Date]
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
______________________________,
Plaintiff,
*
*
*
* CIVIL ACTION #: ________________
*
*
*
*
vs.
______________________________,
Defendant.
COMPLAINT FOR DIVORCE
Comes now Plaintiff, _____________________________, [name] in the above-styled
action and files this Complaint for Divorce against Defendant and respectfully shows the court
the following:
1.
Residence Requirement (Check only ONE either A, B, or C)
 (A) Plaintiff lives in ___________________ County, Georgia, and has lived in the State
of Georgia for at least months prior to this action.
 (B) Plaintiff lives in ___________________ County, Georgia, at the following military
post: ___________________________________________ for at least one year before
filing this petition.
 (C) Plaintiff does not live in the State of Georgia, but Defendant has been a resident of
the State of Georgia for at least six (6) month prior to my filing this action. Defendant
lives in ___________________ County, Georgia.
2.
Venue and Service (Check only ONE either A, B, C, D, E, or F)
 (A) I am filing the divorce in the county where the Defendant lives. The Defendant lives
in Georgia, in ___________________ County, and has signed the Acknowledgement of
Service and has waived further service of process.
 (B) The Defendant lives outside the State of Georgia in ___________________ County,
___________________ [state]. The Defendant has signed an Acknowledgement of
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Service/Affidavit of Waiver of Venue and Personal Jurisdiction consenting to let this
Court handle the divorce.
 (C) I am filing in the county where the Defendant lives. Defendant is a resident of
________________________ County, Georgia and may be served at his /her 
resident/work address of: _________________________________________________.
 (D) I am filing in the county where the Plaintiff lives. The Defendant is a resident of
________________________ County, Georgia but Defendant and I lived together in my
home county, _____________________________ [name of county] at the time we
separated. The Defendant has only moved from this County within the past six months
from the date of this filing. Defendant shall be served by second original at his /her 
resident/work address of: _________________________________________________.
 (E) I am filing in the county where the Plaintiff lives. The Defendant is a resident of
Georgia, but his /her  whereabouts are unknown to me as shown by my Affidavit of
Due Diligence attached hereto and incorporated by reference, marked Exhibit A. The
Defendant shall be served by publication as is provided by law in the case of those who
cannot be found within the State pursuant to O.C.G.A. §9-11-4(f)(1). The clerk shall mail
a copy of the Notice, Order for Service by Publication, and Petition for Divorce to the last
known address of the Defendant which is ______________________________________
_________________ within 15 days of the filing of the Order by Service by Publication.
 (F) I am filing this Complaint in the county where the Plaintiff lives, Defendant is not a
resident of the State of Georgia, but I am a resident of ____________________________
County Georgia and (check item (1) or item (2).)
(1) The Defendant was formerly a resident of the State of Georgia and presently is
a resident of the State of __________________________. Defendant may be
served by a second original pursuant to the Long Arm Statute, O.C.G.A. §9-1091(5).
(2) The Defendant’s whereabouts are unknown to me as shown by my Affidavit
of Due Dilligence attached hereto and incorporated by reference, Marked Exhibit
A. The Respondent shall be served by publication as is provided by law in the
case of those who cannot be found within the State pursuant to O.C.G.A. §9-1091(5).
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3.
Date of Marriage (Check only ONE either A or B)
 (A) Plaintiff and Defendant were lawfully married on _______________________ [date].
 (B) Plaintiff and Defendant are common law married, having entered into a common law
marriage before January 1, 1997 on _______________________ [date].
4.
Date of Separation
 The Defendant and I are separated. All companionship, cooperation, assistance, aid, and
intimacy ended on or about _______________________ [date]. We are still separated.
5.
Minor Children of the Marriage
 There are no minor children born of the marriage and the wife is not now pregnant.
6.
Grounds for Divorce (Check one or more grounds that you can prove)
Plaintiff is entitled to a divorce from the Defendant on the statutory grounds that:
 The marriage is irretrievably broken and there is no hope of reconciliation, O.C.G.A.
§19-5-3(13).
 Cruel Treatment. My spouse committed the following acts of cruel treatment to me such
that I am afraid he /she  will hurt me in the future (list specific incidents below):
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 Adultery. My spouse has had sexual intercourse outside of our marriage.
 Desertion. On or about ________________________ [date], my spouse, without just
cause or reason, intentionally abandoned and deserted m for a period of at least one year
as follows: ______________________________________________________________.
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 Intermarriage. My spouse and I are related as follows:
_______________________________________________________________________.
 Mental incapacity. I did not have the mental capacity to enter into a marriage when we
are married because _______________________________________________________.
 Impotency. My spouse was impotent at the time of the marriage, and I was not aware of
this.
 Force, menace, duress, fraud in obtaining the marriage. I entered this marriage against my
will as a result of _________________________________________________________.
 Pregnancy of the wife at the time of the marriage unknown to the husband. I did not
know that my spouse was pregnant by another man when we got married.
 Conviction of party fr an offense involving moral turpitude. On or about
_______________________ [date], my spouse was sentenced to serve at least two years
in the penitentiary for the following: _________________________________________.
 Habitual intoxication. My spouse is repeatedly intoxicated.
 My spouse has been adjudged mentally ill by a court of competent jurisdiction. My
spouse has been confined in an institution for the mentally ill for at two years
immediately preceding this action. My spouse’s mental illness has been determined to be
incurable by competent examiners, and I have attached a certified statement that it is this
person’s opinion that my spouse is hopelessly and incurably ill.
 Habitual drug addiction. My spouse is addicted to drugs as follows:
_______________________________________________________________________.
7.
Alimony (Check only ONE A, B, or C)
 (A) I am seeking temporary alimony which will end on the date of the final decree of
divorce. I did not engage in adultery, desertion, cruel treatment, or other fault grounds for
divorce.
 (B) I am seeking temporary and permanent alimony which will last until I remarry or
until my former spouse or I should die. I did not engage in adultery, desertion, cruel
treatment, or other fault grounds for divorce.
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 (C) I expressly waive (give up) alimony for the past, present, and future.
8.
Marital Property (Check only ONE A, B, or C)
 (A) Defendant and I have no marital property.
 (B) Defendant and I have already divided our marital property to our mutual satisfaction.
 (C) Defendant and I have the following marital property that I have checked, and I am
seeking an equitable division of this property.
 A house located at __________________________________________________.
A Lis Pendens is attached hereto as Exhibit ___.
 Pension(s): Mine: _____________________ My spouses: __________________.
 Motor vehicles (list make, model, and year):
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
 Furniture (list or attach list):
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
 Bank accounts and investments (list or attach list):
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
 Other:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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9.
Joint Debts (Check only one A or B)
 (A) Defendant and I have no joint outstanding debts.
 (B) Defendant and I have the following debts. I have indicated which party should be
responsible for each debt. The responsible party will indemnify and hold harmless the
non-responsible party for any collection on these obligations.
Creditor
Amount
Responsible Party
10.
Name Restoration
 My former name is ________________________________________ first | middle | last],
and I request that it be restored to me.
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WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests:
(a) That the parties herein be totally divorced;
(b) That he Court adopt and incorporate the parties’ settlement agreement into a final
judgment and decree in this matter;
(c) That the Wife’s name be restored to her former name, which was:
__________________________________________ (first, middle, last name)
(d) That the Plaintiff has such other and further relief as this Court deems equitable and just.
Respectfully submitted, this _______ day of ________________________, 20___.
____________________________________________
Signature of Plaintiff
____________________________________________
Plaintiff’s Name Printed
____________________________________________ _________________, _____ _________
Plaintiff’s Street Address
City
State Zip
Plaintiff’s Home Phone: __________________ Alternate Phone: __________________
Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
______________________________,
Plaintiff,
vs.
______________________________,
Defendant.
*
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*
* CIVIL ACTION #: ________________
*
*
*
*
VERIFICATION
The Plaintiff personally appeared before the undersigned notary public, and the Plaintiff
on oath states that the facts set forth in this Complaint are true and correct to the best of his/her
knowledge and belief.
_______________________________________________
Signature of Plaintiff (in the presence of a Notary Public)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this ________ day of ______________________, 20___.
___________________________________________
Notary Public, State of Georgia
My Commission Expires: ______________________
Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
______________________________,
Plaintiff,
vs.
______________________________,
Defendant.
*
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* CIVIL ACTION #: ________________
*
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SERVICE AND SUMMONS
The undersigned Defendant hereby acknowledges service of the above Summons and
Complaint for Divorce and states that he/she has received a copy of said Complaint, and
Defendant hereby waives any further service of process.
This the _____ day of __________________________, 20__.
_______________________________________________
Signature of Defendant (in the presence of a Notary Public)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this ________ day of ______________________, 20___.
___________________________________________
Notary Public, State of Georgia
My Commission Expires: ______________________
Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
______________________________,
Plaintiff,
vs.
______________________________,
Defendant.
*
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* CIVIL ACTION #: ________________
*
*
*
*
DEFENDANT’S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SERVICE
AFFIDAVIT OF WAIVER OF VEUE AND PERSONAL JURISDICTION
I, ___________________________________________________[name], the named
Defendant in the above-styled case, after being duly sworn, do hereby declare that I am a
resident of _________________________ County, ____________________[state], and that the
Plaintiff in the above-styled case is a resident of __________________________ County,
Georgia. I affirm that I have received a copy of said Petition/Complaint, and I hereby waive all
further notice, service, and issuance of process.
After being duly informed that I have a constitutional right to a trial by judge or jury on
the above matter in the county of my residence, and with that knowledge, I hereby expressly
waive my right to venue in the county of my residence, and consent to venue and personal
jurisdiction in the county of this superior court.
This the _____ day of __________________________, 20__.
_______________________________________________
Signature of Defendant (in the presence of a Notary Public)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this ________ day of ______________________, 20___.
___________________________________________
Notary Public, State of Georgia
_____________________________
My Commission Expires
Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
______________________________,
Plaintiff,
vs.
______________________________,
Defendant.
*
*
*
* CIVIL ACTION #: ________________
*
*
*
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that I have this day served the foregoing COMPLAINT FOR DIVORCE
upon the following  counsel for __________________________________________ [party] or
 __________________________________________ [party if no counsel of record] by
delivering [or causing to be delivered] by hand copy of the same as follows:
[Name and address of counsel of record, or of parties if no counsel of record.]
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Signature of Plaintiff (in the presence of a Notary Public)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this ________ day of ______________________, 20___.
___________________________________________
Notary Public, State of Georgia
My Commission Expires: ______________________
Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
______________________________,
Plaintiff,
vs.
______________________________,
Defendant.
*
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* CIVIL ACTION #: ________________
*
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RULE NISI WITH TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER
The within and foregoing Complaint having been read and considered, the same is
allowed, ordered, and filed; and let a copy thereof be served upon the Defendant as required by
law.
Plaintiff is hereby awarded temporary use and possession of the former marital residence
located at _____________________________________________________________________.
Defendant is ordered to vacate the residence upon service. Defendant shall be allowed to take
with him his clothing and other purely personal items. Defendant is ordered to surrender all keys
to the marital residence to the serving Deputy.
Defendant is hereby restrained and enjoyed from coming about, calling, or otherwise
contacting the Plaintiff in any fashion at any location.
Plaintiff is hereby awarded temporary use and possession of the __________________
_______________________ vehicle. Defendant is ordered to surrender all keys to the
______________________________________ vehicle to the serving Deputy.
Let the Defendant show cause before me on the _______ day of ___________________,
20____, at ____________________________ in _______________________________ County,
Georgia at ___ o’clock __.M., why the prayer of Plaintiff for temporary relief should not be
granted as requested.
In the meantime and until further order of this Court, the Defendant is restrained and
enjoined from: molesting, harassing, or harming the Plaintiff, from following the Plaintiff, from
interfering with the personal property held by the Plaintiff; or from entering the Plaintiff’s
dwelling house.
_____________________________________
Presented by Plaintiff Pro Se [Sign Here]
___________________________________
Judge of Superior Court of ______________
County, Georgia
Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
______________________________,
Plaintiff,
vs.
______________________________,
Defendant.
*
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* CIVIL ACTION #: ________________
*
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MOTION FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION
Comes Plaintiff, pursuant to O.C.G.A. §9-10-71, and moves the court for an order
directing that service on the Defendant be made by publication upon the grounds that he/she
cannot, after due diligence, be found within the state, as more fully appears from the affidavit
filed herewith ad attached hereto.
____________________________________________
Signature of Plaintiff
____________________________________________
Plaintiff’s Name Printed
____________________________________________ _________________, _____ _________
Plaintiff’s Street Address
City
State Zip
Plaintiff’s Home Phone: __________________ Alternate Phone: __________________
Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
______________________________,
Plaintiff,
vs.
______________________________,
Defendant.
*
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*
* CIVIL ACTION #: ________________
*
*
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AFFIDAVIT OF DUE DILIGENCE—SERVICE BY PUBLICATION O.C.G.A. §9-11-4(e)
Personally appeared __________________________________, who, after being duly
sworn, states:
That the Defendant resides outside the State of Georgia, and his/her last known address
is: ___________________________________________________________________________.
—OR—
That the Defendant has departed from the State of Georgia or cannot after due diligence
be found within the state. The Defendant’s last known address is:
_____________________________________________________________________________.
—OR—
The last known residence of the Defendant was outside the State of Georgia at
______________________________ on ________________________, 20_____. The Defendant
no longer resides at the foregoing address, or within the State of Georgia, to the best of Affiant’s
knowledge, and the present address or whereabouts of the Defendant is unknown to the Affiant.
—OR—
The Affiant has made a diligent effort to locate defendant by:
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
and cannot find Defendant within this state for the reason that Defendant has concealed himself
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by: __________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.
Affiant has no knowledge as to the present residence or the whereabouts of the
Defendant, but the Affiant has made the following efforts to find the Defendant by (check all that
apply):
 Checking with the Defendant’s friends and relatives (put all names, addresses, and
telephone numbers of everyone Plaintiff contacted):
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 Contacting the Defendant’s former landlord (put all names, addresses, and telephone
numbers of everyone Plaintiff contacted):
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 Checking telephone information an directories (list directories that you checked and dates
that you checked the directories):
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
 Attempting to have Defendant served at his/her last known address, which is listed above.
 Other: __________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Signature of Plaintiff (in the presence of a Notary Public)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this ________ day of ______________________, 20___.
___________________________________________
Notary Public, State of Georgia
My Commission Expires: ______________________
Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
______________________________,
Plaintiff,
vs.
______________________________,
Defendant.
*
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* CIVIL ACTION #: ________________
*
*
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ORDER FOR SERVICE BY PUBLICATION
Plaintiff having moved the Court for an order directing service to be made upon
Defendant ________________________ in the above-styled action by publication of summons,
and it appearing to the Court from the verified Complaint and Affidavit in support of such
motion that Defendant is a nonresident and that action is an action in which a defendant may be
served by publication pursuant to O.C.G.A. §9-19-71, it is:
ORDERED, that service upon ____________________ be made by publication as
provided by law.
This _______ day of _________________________, _____________ (year).
_____________________________________
Presented by Plaintiff Pro Se [Sign Here]
___________________________________
Judge of Superior Court of ______________
County, Georgia
Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
______________________________,
Plaintiff,
vs.
______________________________,
Defendant.
*
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* CIVIL ACTION #: ________________
*
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NOTICE OF SUMMONS—SERVICE BY PUBLICATION
TO: _________________________________________, Defendant named above:
You are hereby notified that the above-styled action seeking _______________________
[state the relief sought] was filed against you in said court on ____________________________,
20_____, and that by reason of an order for service by summons by publication entered by the
court on ___________________________, 20______ you are hereby commanded and required
to file with the clerk of said court and serve upon __________________________, Plaintiff,
whose address is ________________________________________________________, an
answer to the complaint within sixty (60) days the date of the order for service by publication. If
you fail to do so, judgment by default will be taken against you for the relief demanded in the
complaint.
Witness the Honorable _______________________________, judge of said court.
This the _______ day of _______________________________, 20_____.
____________________________________________________
Clerk of Court
Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
______________________________,
Plaintiff,
vs.
______________________________,
Defendant.
*
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* CIVIL ACTION #: ________________
*
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LIS PENDENS NOTICE
To Whom It May Concern:
The above-styled case has been filed demanding at the following described real property be
awarded to the Plaintiff as alimony or as equitable division of property:
This Lis Pendens notice has been filed and recorded as provided by law.
This ________ day of _______________________________, 20____.
___________________________________________________________
Signature of Plaintiff (in the presence of a Notary Public)
Sworn to and subscribed before me this ________ day of ______________________, 20___.
___________________________________________
Notary Public, State of Georgia
My Commission Expires: ______________________
Pataula Judicial Circuit 2011
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF ______________________________ COUNTY
STATE OF GEORGIA
______________________________,
Plaintiff,
vs.
______________________________,
Defendant.
*
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* CIVIL ACTION #: ________________
*
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FINAL JUDGMENT AND DECREE
Upon consideration of this case, upon evidence submitted as provided by law, it is the
judgment of the Court that a total divorce be granted, that is to say, a divorce a vinculo
matrimonii, between the parties to the above stated case upon legal principles.
It is considered, ordered and decreed by the Court that the marriage contract heretofore
entered into between the parties in this case, from and after this date, be and is set aside and
dissolved as fully and effectually as if no such contract had ever been made or entered into.
Petitioner and Respondent in the future shall be held and considered as separate and
distinct persons altogether unconnected by any nuptial union or civil contract whatsoever and
both shall have the right to remarry. Each party is restrained and enjoined from molesting or
harassing the other party.
The Court restores ________________________ (wife) to her prior or maiden name,
which is: ___________________________________________________.
The Court fixes alimony as follows:__________________________________________.
The Court grants to Plaintiff the following items property:
______________________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________.
The Court divides up the parties’ debts as follows:
Creditor
Amount
Responsible Party
________________________________________
Judge, Superior Court of
_________________________ County, Georgia.
Submitted by:
__________________________________,  Plaintiff or  Defendant pro se
Phone #_______________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
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