Cobb County Family Court Guide
Cobb County — Marietta, Smyrna, Kennesaw, and the northwestern metro — handles its family law cases through the Superior Court of Cobb County in downtown Marietta. Here is what the court handles and how a typical custody or divorce case moves through it.
At a glance
Court: Superior Court of Cobb County (domestic relations / family cases)
Location: Cobb County Superior Court, 70 Haynes Street, Marietta, GA 30090
Clerk of Superior Court: main line commonly listed as (770) 528-1300
Addresses, room numbers, and phone numbers change — verify with the court before visiting or filing.
What the court handles
Cobb County Superior Court hears all domestic relations matters for county residents, including:
- Divorce, separate maintenance, and annulment
- Child custody, parenting time (visitation), and modification actions
- Child support establishment, modification, and contempt
- Legitimation and paternity cases
- Family violence protective orders (TPOs)
- Adoptions and name changes
Cobb also operates accountability-court style programs and an active alternative dispute resolution (ADR) office; contested family cases are commonly referred to mediation before they can be tried.
How a custody or visitation case typically flows
- Filing. The petition is filed with the Clerk of Superior Court, in person or through Georgia's civil e-filing system. Filing fees apply unless the court grants a fee waiver.
- Service. The Cobb County Sheriff's Office or an approved process server delivers the papers to the other party, unless service is acknowledged voluntarily.
- Temporary hearing. Judges can enter temporary custody, support, and possession orders early in the case. In family violence situations, an ex parte protective order can issue the same day a petition is filed, followed by a hearing within roughly thirty days.
- Discovery and investigation. Contested custody cases may involve a guardian ad litem, custody evaluation, or drug and alcohol assessments, depending on the allegations.
- Mediation. Most contested domestic cases in Cobb go to mediation through the court's ADR program. Agreements reached in mediation are put in writing and, once approved by the judge, become enforceable orders.
- Final hearing or trial. Unresolved issues are decided by the assigned judge (or, for some divorce issues, a jury on financial matters — custody itself is always decided by the judge in Georgia).
Parenting seminar requirement
Cobb County requires parents in divorce and contested custody actions involving minor children to complete an approved parenting education seminar before the case concludes. Both parents typically must attend (separately). Confirm the currently approved seminar providers with the court, and see our co-parenting resources guide for what these classes cover and how to enroll.
Supervised visitation in Cobb cases
Where a Cobb judge finds that unsupervised parenting time is not appropriate for now — after safety allegations, during reunification, or while a parent completes court-ordered programs — the order may require supervised visitation or monitored custody exchanges. Read our supervised visitation explainer for the different formats, and our guide to finding a provider serving the Atlanta metro, including Cobb County.
Practical tips for the Marietta courthouse
- The Superior Court building sits just off the Marietta Square; public parking decks serve the courthouse complex.
- Arrive early for security screening, and leave prohibited items (including pocket knives) in your car.
- Check the assigned judge's standing order for rules on scheduling, continuances, and courtroom procedure.
- The Cobb County Law Library, located in the courthouse complex, is a useful resource for self-represented litigants.