Search Hinesville Family Court Records

Hinesville family court records are filed at the Liberty County Superior Court on Main Street. Liberty County handles all family law cases for Hinesville residents, including divorce, custody, and protective order filings.

Which County Handles Hinesville Family Court Cases

Hinesville family court records go through Liberty County. Hinesville is the county seat. The Atlantic Judicial Circuit covers Liberty County along with several other coastal counties. All divorce, custody, and support cases for Hinesville residents are filed at the Liberty County clerk office.

Hinesville sits next to Fort Stewart, which brings a large military population to the area. Military families file family court cases in Liberty County just like civilian residents. Georgia state courts handle divorce and custody even when one or both spouses are active duty service members.

Liberty County Superior Court Clerk

The Liberty County Superior Court clerk is Jennifer L. Durrence. Her office is at 201 S. Main Street, Hinesville, GA 31313. Call (912) 876-3625 to reach the clerk. Staff can help you search for family court records, get copies, or file new cases. The office keeps all case files for divorce, custody, child support, and protective orders in Hinesville.

Walk-in hours run Monday through Friday. Bring a valid ID and a case number if you have one. Certified copies carry the court seal and are good for legal use. Plain copies cost less. Since Hinesville is the county seat, the courthouse is right in town. You do not need to drive to another city to file or search records.

The Hinesville Municipal Court at 102 S. Main Street handles city ordinance cases and traffic tickets. It does not deal with family court matters. All family law filings go through the Superior Court.

Types of Family Court Records in Hinesville

Divorce is the most common family court case type in Hinesville. A case starts when one spouse files a complaint at the Liberty County clerk office. Under O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2, at least one spouse must have lived in Georgia for six months before filing. The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act may affect timing for military families. The case file holds the complaint, answer, temporary orders, and the final decree.

Child custody cases are also common. 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 living situation, the child's school ties, and the child's wishes if mature enough. Military deployments can affect custody arrangements, and judges take that into account.

Protective orders under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 are free to file. The court can issue a temporary order the same day. A full hearing follows within 30 days. These records are part of the public court file. Hinesville also sees a fair number of child support cases tied to military service and deployment schedules.

Georgia has a 30-day waiting period after filing before the court can grant a final divorce decree. Uncontested cases where both sides agree move faster. Contested cases take longer and cost more in legal fees.

Online Access to Hinesville Family Court Records

The GSCCCA search portal covers Liberty County and all other Georgia counties. You can look up Hinesville family court records by name or case number. A subscription is needed for full access. Basic searches let you check if a record exists.

The Odyssey eFileGA system lets attorneys file family court papers electronically in Liberty County. Pro se filers still need to submit papers in person at the courthouse. The PeachCourt portal offers guided interviews for family law forms.

For mail requests, write to the Liberty County Superior Court Clerk at 201 S. Main Street, Hinesville, GA 31313. Include the case number or full names and a check for the copy fee. Call (912) 876-3625 first to confirm the amount.

Child Support Services in Hinesville

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services helps Hinesville residents with support cases. Call 1-877-423-4746. DCSS sets up new orders, enforces existing ones, and processes modifications. They use wage garnishment, tax refund interception, and license suspension to collect past-due support.

Georgia follows the income shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents' incomes go into a worksheet. The result sets the monthly payment. For military families, basic allowance for housing and other military pay may be included in the income calculation. If circumstances change, file a modification petition at the Liberty County clerk office or work through DCSS.

Legal Resources for Hinesville Residents

Hinesville residents can access several legal aid resources. Georgia Legal Services Program helps low-income residents with divorce, custody, and protective orders. The Fort Stewart legal assistance office provides free legal help to active duty service members and their families on some family law matters.

The State Bar of Georgia lawyer referral service covers Liberty County. PeachCourt offers online form preparation. Some Hinesville area family law attorneys offer free initial consultations. The Liberty County clerk office can direct you to self-help resources.

Military families have extra resources through the military legal assistance office on post. These offices can help with basic legal questions and referrals. They cannot represent you in state court, but they can explain your options and help with paperwork.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Hinesville. Click a city for its specific court and filing details for family court records.