Heard County Family Court Records

Heard County family court records are filed and kept at the Superior Court Clerk office in Franklin, Georgia. The Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit serves Heard County for all family law matters.

Heard County Clerk of Superior Court

The Superior Court Clerk in Heard County is the custodian of all family court records for the county. The office is at 215 E. Court Square in Franklin. This is where every family law filing goes. Divorce papers, custody petitions, child support orders, and protective order requests all come through this office. The staff can search records by name or case number.

Heard County is part of the Tallapoosa Judicial Circuit along with Haralson and Polk counties. A circuit judge handles family court cases in Heard County on a scheduled rotation. Court dates in Franklin may be less frequent than in metro areas. But the clerk office is open during regular business hours for filings, searches, and copy requests. Call (706) 675-3301 to check on a case or ask about fees.

Heard County is a small, rural county in west Georgia. The courthouse in Franklin is the only place to access family court records locally. For people who cannot make the trip, online search tools cover Heard County too.

Divorce Filings in Heard County

Divorce records are the most common type of family court record in Heard County. Georgia law requires one spouse to have lived in the state for six months before filing. The case goes to the county where the other spouse lives. Both parties can agree to file where the person filing resides. The complaint is filed at the Heard County clerk office in Franklin, and the other spouse must be served with papers.

A 30-day waiting period follows the filing. The court cannot grant a divorce before that time runs out. If both sides agree on terms, the case can move fast in Heard County after the wait. The final decree spells out the property division, custody plan, and support amounts. That decree is a permanent public record. Anyone can request a copy from the clerk.

Contested divorces in Heard County take longer. Motions, hearings, and depositions add documents to the file. The full case record stays at the courthouse on Court Square. For divorce verification from 1952 to 1996, try the Georgia Office of Vital Records.

Heard County Custody Cases

Custody disputes create detailed records in the Heard County family court files. These cases follow O.C.G.A. § 19-9-3. The court puts the child's best interest first. The judge looks at each parent's home, the child's bonds, school ties, and which parent is more likely to foster the child's relationship with the other parent.

A child aged 14 or older gets to choose which parent to live with. The court follows that choice in most situations. Children between 11 and 13 may state a preference, but the judge has the final say. Heard County custody records include the petition, any temporary orders, parenting plans, and the final custody order.

Modification petitions happen when a parent can show things have changed. The court needs to see a real shift in circumstances. All modification records go into the Heard County file at the clerk office in Franklin.

Searching Heard County Records Online

The Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority includes Heard County in its statewide search. A subscription is $14.95 per month, with $0.50 per printed page. You can search by name or document type. Results show case numbers and dates for Heard County family court records.

For a county as rural as Heard, the online search is a big help. It saves the drive to Franklin. But for full document copies, you may need to call the clerk or visit in person. Not all older Heard County family court records may be in the online system. The PeachCourt portal is another place to check for Heard County case data.

Child Support in Heard County

Child support orders in Heard County follow O.C.G.A. § 19-6-26. The income shares model applies. Both parents' incomes go into a worksheet. The court sets the base amount and can adjust for insurance, daycare, and other costs. Support orders are on file at the Heard County clerk office.

The Georgia Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement. DCSS can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, and suspend licenses. Call 1-877-423-4746 to reach DCSS. If you want to change a Heard County support order, file a modification petition at the clerk office. You must show that things have changed since the last order.

Protective Orders in Heard County

Protective orders under O.C.G.A. § 19-13-3 are filed at no cost in Heard County. The court can issue a temporary order the same day. A full hearing is set within 30 days. If the judge grants a 12-month order, it goes into the Heard County family court records at the clerk office in Franklin.

Visit the Georgia protective order page for forms. The domestic violence hotline at 1-800-334-2836 is available any time. Heard County protective order records are public and kept at the courthouse.

Getting Copies of Heard County Records

The clerk office at 215 E. Court Square in Franklin provides copies of Heard County family court records. Certified copies carry the court seal. You need these for legal use. Plain copies cost less. Bring the case number or party names. Mail requests are accepted. Call (706) 675-3301 for fees. Attorneys can e-file through Odyssey eFileGA.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Heard County. Make sure the right county has jurisdiction before filing.