Find Family Court Records in Brookhaven

Brookhaven family court records are filed at the DeKalb County Superior Court in Decatur. All divorce, custody, and support cases for Brookhaven residents go through the DeKalb County clerk office.

Which County Handles Brookhaven Family Court Cases

Brookhaven sits in DeKalb County. That means all Brookhaven family court records go to the DeKalb County Superior Court. The Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit covers DeKalb County. Brookhaven is one of several cities in DeKalb that share the same courthouse for family law matters. Whether you need to file a divorce case, a custody petition, or a protective order, the DeKalb County clerk office in Decatur is where you go.

Brookhaven does not have its own family court. The city incorporated in 2012 and relies on DeKalb County for all Superior Court services. Family court records for Brookhaven residents are stored at the DeKalb County courthouse and can be searched through the clerk office.

DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk

The DeKalb County Superior Court handles all Brookhaven family court records. The clerk office is at 556 N. McDonough Street in Decatur. Call (404) 371-2261 for help with record searches, copy requests, or filing questions. The staff can look up cases by name or case number. Bring a valid ID if you plan to visit in person.

Certified copies of Brookhaven family court records cost more than plain copies. You need certified copies for most legal uses. The clerk office is open Monday through Friday. Call ahead for current hours and fee amounts. If you want copies sent by mail, write to the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk at 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030. Include the case number or both party names and a check for the fees.

Brookhaven has a Municipal Court at 2665 Buford Highway NE. That court covers city code violations and traffic matters for Brookhaven. It does not handle family court cases. All family law filings for Brookhaven must go through the DeKalb County Superior Court.

Types of Brookhaven Family Court Records

Divorce is the most common type of family court record filed by Brookhaven residents. A case starts when one spouse files a complaint at the DeKalb County clerk office. Georgia law under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 says at least one spouse must have lived in the state for six months. The case file grows as both sides add answers, financial disclosures, and motions. The final decree wraps up the case and spells out property division, custody, and support.

Georgia has a 30-day wait after filing before a judge can sign the final decree. Brookhaven residents who agree on all terms can file an uncontested divorce. Those cases move fast. Contested cases take longer because the court has to resolve disputes about property, custody, or support.

Child custody cases come up during divorce or as standalone petitions. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3, the court decides custody based on the best interest of the child. Judges look at each parent's home, the child's ties to school and friends, and the child's own wishes if old enough. Custody records include petitions, parenting plans, and final orders. Parents can ask to modify custody later if things change.

Protective orders under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 let victims of family violence ask for court protection. There is no fee to file. The court can issue a temporary order the same day. A full hearing takes place within 30 days. These records are part of the family court file at the DeKalb County clerk office. Brookhaven residents file protective orders at the same courthouse in Decatur.

Online Access to Brookhaven Family Court Records

The GSCCCA runs a statewide search portal that covers DeKalb County and all other Georgia counties. You can search by name, case number, or other details. A paid subscription gives full access to records. This is the best way to look up Brookhaven family court records from home.

Attorneys can file family court papers through the Odyssey eFileGA system. It works around the clock. If you are filing on your own without a lawyer, you still need to submit papers in person at the DeKalb County courthouse. The PeachCourt portal offers guided form preparation that can help you fill out the right papers before your visit.

For in-person searches, the DeKalb County clerk office has computer terminals where you can look up case information. Staff members can help if you get stuck. Bring a case number if you have one. Name searches work too, but they take more time when the name is common.

Child Support Services for Brookhaven

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services helps Brookhaven residents with support enforcement. Call 1-877-423-4746 for the statewide line. DCSS can set up new support orders, enforce current ones, and process changes. They use wage garnishment, tax refund interception, and license suspension to collect past-due amounts.

Georgia figures child support using the income shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents' incomes go into a state worksheet. Health care and child care costs factor in too. If you need to change an existing order, file a modification petition at the DeKalb County clerk office or ask DCSS to review the case. DCSS also handles paternity cases for Brookhaven residents who need to establish parentage before setting up support.

Legal Resources for Brookhaven Residents

Brookhaven residents who need help with family court records have several options. The Georgia Legal Services Program provides free legal help to low-income residents for divorce, custody, and protective order cases. Atlanta Legal Aid Society also serves DeKalb County, including Brookhaven.

The State Bar of Georgia runs a lawyer referral service that covers DeKalb County. PeachCourt has guided interviews for family law forms. This is useful if you plan to file on your own. Some Brookhaven family law attorneys offer free first consultations. The DeKalb County clerk office can point you toward local self-help resources and explain the filing steps.

Private attorneys in Brookhaven handle all types of family court cases. Costs vary. An uncontested divorce will cost less than a contested case with disputes over custody or property. Call a few firms to compare rates and get a sense of what your case might involve.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Brookhaven. Some share DeKalb County for family court records. Others file in neighboring counties. Click a city for details on its court and filing process.