Access Stonecrest Family Court Records

Stonecrest family court records are filed at the DeKalb County Superior Court in Decatur. Stonecrest is in the southeastern part of DeKalb County. All family law cases for Stonecrest residents, from divorce to custody to protective orders, go through the DeKalb County court system.

Which County Handles Stonecrest Family Court Cases

Stonecrest sits in DeKalb County. All family court records for Stonecrest residents go through the DeKalb County Superior Court in Decatur. The Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit serves DeKalb County. Stonecrest has its own municipal government, but family law is handled at the county level in Georgia. Every divorce, custody, child support, and protective order case files at the DeKalb County courthouse.

Decatur is about 15 miles west of Stonecrest. The drive takes around 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Under Georgia law, family cases are filed where the defendant lives. If the other party lives in Stonecrest, the case goes to DeKalb County.

DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk

The DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk is Debra DeBerry. Her office handles all family court records for Stonecrest and the rest of DeKalb County. The courthouse is at 556 North McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030. Call (404) 371-2261 to reach the clerk office. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours.

Bring a valid ID when you visit. A case number helps the clerk find your records faster. They can also search by party name. Certified copies carry the court seal and cost more than plain copies. Certified copies are needed for legal use like filing in another court. Plain copies are fine for personal reference. Call ahead to check the current fee schedule.

DeKalb County has a Self-Help Resource Center that can assist Stonecrest residents with family law forms. The center is at the courthouse in Decatur. Staff can point you to the right forms and explain the basic steps for filing. They cannot give legal advice, but they help make the process less confusing.

Types of Stonecrest Family Court Records

Divorce records make up the largest share of family court cases for Stonecrest residents. A divorce begins when one spouse files a complaint at the DeKalb County clerk office. O.C.G.A. § 19-5-2 requires at least one spouse to have lived in Georgia for six months. The case file includes the complaint, the other side's answer, temporary orders, financial papers, and the final decree. Georgia has a mandatory 30-day wait after service before the court can finalize a divorce.

Uncontested cases where both sides agree on the terms move faster. Contested divorces take longer and may need mediation or a trial. DeKalb County judges often refer contested cases to mediation before setting a trial date.

Child custody is another common case type. O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3 says courts decide custody based on the best interest of the child. Judges look at each parent's home and work life, the child's school and community ties, and the child's wishes if old enough. Custody records include petitions, parenting plans, evaluations from guardians ad litem, and final orders. Both married and unmarried parents can file.

Protective orders are available under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 at no cost. Family violence victims can request a temporary order at the DeKalb County courthouse. The court may grant it the same day. A hearing follows within 30 days to decide if a 12-month order should be put in place. These records stay in the public family court file.

Adoption records go through the Superior Court as well. Georgia law seals adoption records from the public. You need a court order to access them.

Online Access to Stonecrest Family Court Records

The GSCCCA search portal covers DeKalb County and all 159 Georgia counties. Search for family court records by name, case number, or other details. A subscription gives full access. Basic searches show whether a record exists without showing the full documents. This is the main way to look up Stonecrest family court records from home.

Attorneys can file electronically in DeKalb County through Odyssey eFileGA. Pro se filers still need to submit papers in person at the courthouse in Decatur. PeachCourt offers guided form preparation that helps if you plan to handle your case without a lawyer.

For copies by mail, write to the DeKalb County Superior Court Clerk at 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, GA 30030. Include the case number or full party names and a check for the copy fee. Call (404) 371-2261 first to confirm the current fees.

Child Support in Stonecrest

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services helps Stonecrest residents with child support matters. Call 1-877-423-4746. DCSS can set up new orders, enforce existing ones, and process modifications. Enforcement tools include wage garnishment, tax refund interception, and license suspension for parents who do not pay.

Georgia uses the income shares model under O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. Both parents' incomes go into a state worksheet that sets the monthly support amount. Health care costs and child care are part of the formula. If your situation changes, file a modification petition at the DeKalb County clerk office or ask DCSS to review the order.

Legal Resources for Stonecrest Residents

Stonecrest residents can get free legal help through the Georgia Legal Services Program and Atlanta Legal Aid Society. Both serve DeKalb County and take family law cases for low-income residents. They help with divorce, custody, and protective order matters.

The DeKalb County Self-Help Resource Center at the courthouse in Decatur provides form assistance and basic filing guidance. The State Bar of Georgia lawyer referral service covers DeKalb County. Some local attorneys offer free first consultations for family court cases. PeachCourt provides online form tools for self-represented filers.

The DeKalb County government also runs community programs that can connect Stonecrest residents with counseling, mediation, and other support services during family court proceedings. These resources can make a tough process easier to get through.

Nearby Cities

These cities are near Stonecrest. Click a city to find its specific family court records information and filing details.