Pooler Family Court Records

Pooler family court records are filed at the Chatham County Superior Court in Savannah. Chatham County handles all family law cases for Pooler residents, including divorce, custody, and protective order filings.

Which County Handles Pooler Family Court Cases

Pooler family court records go through Chatham County. The Chatham County Superior Court is in Savannah, the county seat. The Eastern Judicial Circuit covers Chatham County. All divorce, custody, and support cases for Pooler residents are filed at the Chatham County clerk office in Savannah.

Pooler residents need to drive to Savannah for in-person court visits. The trip is short since Pooler sits just west of Savannah in Chatham County. Under Georgia law, family cases are filed in the county where the defendant lives.

Chatham County Superior Court Clerk

The Chatham County Superior Court is at 133 Montgomery Street, Room 304, Savannah, GA 31401. Call (912) 652-7200 to reach the clerk office. Staff can help you search for Pooler family court records, get copies, or file new cases. The clerk office keeps all case files for divorce, custody, child support, and protective orders across Chatham County.

Bring a valid ID for walk-in visits. A case number makes the search faster. Certified copies carry the court seal. Plain copies cost less. Pooler has grown fast in recent years, and more family law cases from the city now flow through the Chatham County court.

Pooler has a municipal court, but it only handles city ordinance cases and traffic tickets. All family law filings must go through the Chatham County Superior Court in Savannah. The Savannah Family Justice Center at (912) 659-5282 can also help with domestic violence cases.

Types of Family Court Records in Pooler

Divorce is the most common family court case type for Pooler residents. A case starts when one spouse files a complaint at the Chatham 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 file holds the complaint, answer, temporary orders, and the final decree.

The final decree shows property division, custody arrangements, and support amounts. Georgia requires a 30-day waiting period after filing. Uncontested cases wrap up faster than contested ones.

Child custody cases follow O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3. The court uses the best interest of the child standard. Judges look at each parent's home, the child's school ties, and the child's wishes if mature enough. Custody records include petitions, parenting plans, evaluations, and final orders.

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 hearing within 30 days decides whether a longer order should stay in place. These records are part of the public court file. The Savannah Family Justice Center helps with domestic violence cases and protective order filings for Pooler residents too.

Online Access to Pooler Family Court Records

The GSCCCA search portal covers Chatham County and all 159 Georgia counties. Search Pooler family court records by name or case number. A subscription is needed for full access. This is the main tool for finding records from home.

The Odyssey eFileGA system handles electronic filing for attorneys in Chatham County. Pro se filers still need to file in person. The PeachCourt portal provides guided form preparation for family law cases.

Mail requests go to the Chatham County Superior Court Clerk at 133 Montgomery Street, Room 304, Savannah, GA 31401. Include the case number or full party names and a check for the copy fee. Call (912) 652-7200 first to confirm the amount.

Child Support Services for Pooler

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services helps Pooler residents with support enforcement. Call 1-877-423-4746. DCSS sets up new orders, modifies existing ones, and enforces payment. 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 that calculates the monthly payment. Health care and child care costs are part of the formula. If your situation changes, file a modification petition at the Chatham County clerk office or ask DCSS to review the order.

Legal Resources for Pooler Residents

Pooler residents can access the same legal aid resources as other Chatham County cities. Georgia Legal Services Program offers free help to low-income residents with divorce, custody, and protective orders. The Savannah Family Justice Center at (912) 659-5282 provides support for domestic violence victims.

The State Bar of Georgia lawyer referral service covers Chatham County. PeachCourt has guided form preparation for self-represented litigants. Some family law attorneys in the Pooler and Savannah area offer free initial consultations. The Chatham County clerk office can point you to self-help resources.

Pooler is one of the fastest growing cities in the Savannah metro area. As the population has increased, more family law attorneys have set up practice in and around Pooler. You can often find an attorney without having to go all the way to downtown Savannah.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Pooler. Click a city for its specific family court records information.