Atlanta Divorce Attorney Blog

Although you and your spouse are ending your marriage, if you have children together then you will always have a relationship--you will always be parents. It is important to remember that the children must always be the focus of the divorce, and the goal should be to minimize the impact of the divorce on your children. However, divorcing parents often disagree about parenting issues like discipline, religion, education or household responsibilities. Disagreement about parenting issues can further escalate the tension in your relationship with your spouse and can be detrimental to your children. In situations in Georgia where a majority of the conflicts during the divorce are related to the children and differences in parenting style and philosophy, a parenting coordinator can be an invaluable resource.

A parenting coordinator is a psychologist or mental health professional who can help you and your spouse discuss parenting issues, determine what an appropriate parenting schedule will be for your time with the children, and help you come to a consensus about how you will be effective co-parents in the future. He or she can help resolve parenting issues that arise during your divorce, and can help you and your partner work together to reduce your conflicts related to the children. The parenting coordinator typically does not attempt to resolve marital issues, but assists with disagreements related to parenting only.

A parenting coordinator is not a guardian ad litem, who is a representative of the Court appointed to determine the best interests of the children, but one who works directly with the parents to attempt to resolve parenting issues outside of Court. With the Court or the parties' consent, he or she may make decisions for the parties on parenting or child-rearing issues, but parenting coordinators do not give legal advice. The value of the parenting coordinator is in resolving issues outside the courtroom, and can help you set establish a working relationship that allows you and your former spouse to be effective co-parents not only until the end of the divorce, but throughout your children's lives.

If you have questions about a parenting coordinator, or if you are a parent with concerns about how to work with your spouse during the pendency of your divorce, contact Meriwether and Tharp.

By Elizabeth Doak, Associate, Meriwether & Tharp, LLC

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar in Georgia if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. Cobb County (Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs and Smyrna) offers its Divorcing Parents Seminar at the Cobb County Superior Court Building (Building D; 3rd Floor, Courtroom O), 30 Waddell Street, Marietta, GA 30090.

Cobb County offers a four-hour Thursday morning seminar (from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm) or two two-hour Monday evening sessions (from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm). You must take either one Thursday morning seminar or two Monday evening seminars. The 2012 schedule is as follows:

Thursday morning classes (8:30am – 1:00pm): April 5, April 19, May 3, May 17, June 7, June 21, July 12, July 19, August 2, August 16, September 6, September 20, October 4, October 18, November 1, November 15, December 6, December 20

Monday evening classes (7:00pm – 9:00pm): April 9 AND April 16, May 14 AND May 21, June 11 AND June 18, July 9 AND July 16, August 13 AND August 20, September 10 AND September 17, October 8 AND October 15, November 12 AND November 19, December 10 AND December 17

The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person. You can find additional information and register online for these seminars at the Cobb County Divorcing Parents Seminar website.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar in Georgia if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. Gwinnett County (Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Snellville, and Suwanee) offers its Parenting Seminar at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30045. The seminars are held in Conference Room A West Wing on the second floor. The 2012 schedule is as follows:

Thursday morning seminars from 9:00am – 1:00pm: April 5, April 12, April 26, May 3, May 10, May 31, June 14, June 28, July 5, July 12, July 26, August 2, August 9, August 23, September 6, September 13, September 27, October 4, October 11, October 25, November 1, November 8, November 29, December 6, December 13

Thursday evening seminars from 5:00pm – 9:00pm: April 19, May 24, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 20, October 18, November 15, December 20

The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person and registration MUST be received prior to the day of the seminar, though payment can be made at the door. You can find additional information and register online for these seminars at the Gwinnett County Parenting Seminar website.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. DeKalb County (Avondale Estates, Chamblee, Decatur, Doraville, Lithonia, and Stone Mountain) offers its Seminar for Divorcing Parents at the Dekalb County Courthouse Judicial Tower. The 2012 schedule is as follows:

Monday evening seminars from 5:00pm – 9:00pm (1st floor Jury Room of the Dekalb County Courthouse Judicial Tower): April 2, May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, October 1, November 5, December 3

Wednesday afternoon seminars from 12:30pm – 4:30 pm (5th floor of the Dekalb County Courthouse Judicial Tower, room 5A): March 21, April 18, May 16, June 20, July 18, August 15, September 19, October 17, November 14, December 19

Friday morning seminars from 9:30am – 1:30pm (1st floor Jury Room of the Dekalb County Courthouse Judicial Tower): March 30, April 27, May 25, June 29, July 27, August 31, September 28, October 26

The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person payable by cashier’s check or money order only. Dates and time are subject to change so please check the DeKalb County Seminar for Divorcing Parents website for the most up to date information and for online registration under the divorce tab.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar in Georgia if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. The following is the 2012 parenting seminar schedule for Fulton County (Alpharetta, Atlanta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell):

• Saturday morning seminar once per month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Downtown Justice Center Building located at 160 Pryor Street, S.W., Courtroom G33, Atlanta, Georgia. 2012 dates – March 24, April 21, May 19, June 23, July 21, August 25, September 22, October 20, November 24, December 15

• Weekday morning seminar once per month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the South Fulton Service Center located at 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park, Georgia in the auditorium. 2012 dates – March 28, April 25, May 23, June 27, July 25, August 29, September 26, October 24, November 28, December 18

• Thursday evening seminar once per month from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Dorothy Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex located at 6500 Vernon Woods, Drive, Building B, Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2012 dates – April 5, May 3, June 7, July 5, August 9, September 6, October 4, November 8, December 6

Please note that both the South Fulton Service Center and the Dorothy Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex locations require pre-registration no later than the Monday before the seminar.

The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person payable by money order, cashier’s check or cash. You can find additional information about these seminars at Fulton County Families in Transition program website.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar in Georgia if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. Forsyth County (Cumming) and Cherokee County (Ball Ground, Canton, and Woodstock) are part of the 9th judicial district. The October – December 2011 parenting seminar schedule for the 9th judicial district is as follows:

• Gainesville (New Hall County Courthouse, 225 Green Street SE) – Thursday, October 6, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, October 20, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, November 3, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, November 17, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, December 1, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, December 15, 5:00pm – 9:00pm

• Canton (RT Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway) – Saturday, October 8, 10:00am – 2:00pm

• Clarkesville (North GA Technical College, 1500 Hwy. 197 North) – Wednesday, October 12, 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Wednesday, November 9, 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Wednesday, December 14, 1:00pm – 5:00pm

• Cumming (Hampton Park Library, 5345 Settingdown Road) – Saturday, October 29, 10:45am – 2:45pm; Saturday, December 3, 10:45am – 2:45pm

• Cumming (Central Park Recreation Center, 2300 Keith Bridge Road) – Saturday, November 12, 10:00am – 2:00pm

• Ellijay (Gilmer County Library, 268 Calvin Jackson Drive) – Monday, October 10, 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Monday, November 14, 1:00pm – 5:00pm

• Dahlonega (North Georgia College & State University, Continuing Education Building, 25 Schultz Avenue) – Tuesday, October 18, 9:00am – 1:00pm; Tuesday, November 8, 9:00am – 1:00pm; Thursday, December 8, 9:00am – 1:00pm

The cost of the seminar is currently $50.00 per person. There is no pre-registration, but you must pay with money order. You can find additional information about these seminars at 9th Judicial Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution website.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar in Georgia if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. Forsyth County (Cumming) and Cherokee County (Ball Ground, Canton, and Woodstock) are part of the 9th judicial district. The August – September 2011 parenting seminar schedule for the 9th judicial district is as follows:

• Gainesville (New Hall County Courthouse, 225 Green Street SE) – Thursday, August 4, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, August 18, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, September 1, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, September 15, 5:00pm – 9:00pm
• Canton (RT Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway) – Saturday, August 13, 10:00am – 2:00pm; Saturday, September 10, 10:00am – 2:00pm
• Clarkesville (North GA Technical College, 1500 Hwy. 197 North) – Wednesday, August 10, 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Wednesday, September 14, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
• Cumming (Hampton Park Library, 5345 Settingdown Road) – Saturday, August 20, 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Saturday, September 17, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
• Ellijay (Gilmer County Library, 268 Calvin Jackson Drive) – Monday, August 8, 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Monday, September 12, 1:00pm – 5:00pm

The cost of the seminar is currently $50.00 per person. There is no pre-registration, but you must pay with money order. You can find additional information about these seminars at 9th Judicial Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution website.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar in Georgia if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. Forsyth County (Cumming) and Cherokee County (Ball Ground, Canton, and Woodstock) are part of the 9th judicial district. The July 2011 parenting seminar schedule for the 9th judicial district is as follows:

• Gainesville (New Hall County Courthouse, 225 Green Street SE) – Thursday, July 7 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, July 21 5:00pm – 9:00pm
• Canton (RT Jones Memorial Library, 116 Brown Industrial Parkway) – Saturday, July 9 10:00am – 2:00pm
• Clarkesville (North GA Technical College, 1500 Hwy. 197 North) – Wednesday, July 13 1:00pm – 5:00pm
• Cumming (Central Park Recreation Center, 2300 Keith Bridge Road) – Saturday, July 23 10:00am – 2:00pm
• Ellijay (Gilmer County Library, 268 Calvin Jackson Drive) – Monday, July 25 1:00pm – 5:00pm

Dates for August and September will be forthcoming. The cost of the seminar is currently $50.00 per person. There is no pre-registration, but you must pay with money order. You can find additional information about these seminars at 9th Judicial Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution website.

The 9th Judicial District (Forsyth and Cherokee counties) recently added another June parenting seminar date:

Saturday, June 25, 2011, 10:00am – 2:00pm in Cumming at the Central Park Recreation Center (2300 Keith Bridge Road)

The cost of the seminar is $50.00 per person. There is no pre-registration and you must arrive 30 minutes early to register. You can find additional information about these seminars at 9th Judicial Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution website. Check back for parenting seminar dates for July – September 2011.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar in Georgia if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. Forsyth County (Cumming) and Cherokee County (Ball Ground, Canton, and Woodstock) are part of the 9th judicial district. The revised March 2011 parenting seminar schedule and partial April – June 2011 parenting seminar schedule for the 9th judicial district is as follows:

• Gainesville (New Hall County Courthouse, 225 Green Street SE) –Thursday, March 31, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, April 7, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, April 21, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, May 5, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, May 19, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday June 2, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, June 16, 5:00pm – 9:00pm

• Dahlonega (North Georgia College and State University, Continuing Education Bldg., Highway 60) – Monday, March 28, 9:00am – 1:00pm; Tuesday, April 19, 9:00am – 1:00pm; Tuesday, May 17, 9:00am – 1:00pm; Wednesday, June 1, 9:00am – 1:00pm

• Blairsville (Haralson Civic Center, 165 Welborn Street) – Monday, April 4, 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Monday, May 9, 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Monday, June 6, 1:00pm – 5:00pm

• Clarkesville (North GA Technical College, 1500 Hwy. 197 North) – Wednesday, April 13, 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Wednesday, May 11, 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Wednesday, June 8, 1:00pm – 5:00pm

• Cumming (Hampton Park Library, 5345 Settingdown Road) – Wednesday, April 20, 4:00pm – 8:00pm

• Cumming (Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road) – Monday, May 16, 4:00pm – 8:00pm

Additional dates during this time period will be forthcoming. The cost of the seminar is currently $50.00 per person. There is no pre-registration. You can find additional information about these seminars at 9th Judicial Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution website.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. DeKalb County (Avondale Estates, Chamblee, Decatur, Doraville, Lithonia, and Stone Mountain) offers its Seminar for Divorcing Parents at the Dekalb County Courthouse Judicial Tower. The 2011 schedule is as follows:

Monday evening seminars from 5:00pm – 9:00pm (1st floor Jury Room of the Dekalb County Courthouse Judicial Tower): February 7, March 7, April 4, May 2, June 6, July 5 (Tuesday), August 1

Wednesday afternoon seminars from 12:30pm – 4:30 pm (5th floor of the Dekalb County Courthouse Judicial Tower, room 5215): February 16, March 16, April 20, May 18, June 15, July 13, August 17, September 14

Friday morning seminars from 9:30am – 1:30pm (1st floor Jury Room of the Dekalb County Courthouse Judicial Tower): February 25, March 25, April 22, May 27, June 24, July 29, August 26, September 23

The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person. Dates and time are subject to change so please check the DeKalb County Seminar for Divorcing Parents website for the most up to date information and for online registration under the divorce tab.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar in Georgia if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. Gwinnett County (Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Snellville, and Suwanee) offers its Parenting Seminar at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30045. The seminars are held in Conference Room A West Wing on the second floor. The 2011 schedule is as follows:

Thursday morning seminars from 9:00am – 1:00pm: February 3, February 10, February 24, March 3, March 10, March 24, April 7, April 14, April 28, May 5, May 26, June 2, June 9, June 23, July 7, July 14, July 28, August 4, August 11, August 25, September 1, September 8, September 22, October 6, October 13, October 27, November 3, November 10, December 1, December 8

Thursday evening seminars from 5:00pm – 9:00pm: February 17, March 17, April 21, May 19, June 16, July 21, August 18, September 15, October 20, November 17, December 15

The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person and registration MUST be received prior to the day of the seminar. You can find additional information and register online for these seminars at the Gwinnett County Parenting Seminar website.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar in Georgia if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. Cobb County (Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs and Smyrna) offers its Divorcing Parents Seminar at the Cobb County Superior Court Building (Building D; 6th floor jury assembly room), 30 Waddell Street, Marietta, GA 30090.

Cobb County offers a four-hour Thursday morning seminar or two two-hour Monday evening sessions. You must take either one Thursday morning seminar or two Monday evening seminars. The 2011 schedule is as follows:

Thursday morning classes (8:30am – 1:00pm): February 3, February 17, March 3, March 17, April 7, April 21, May 5, May 19, June 2, June 16, July 7, July 21, August 4, August 18, September 1, September 15, October 6, October 20, November 3, November 17, December 1, December 15

Monday evening classes (7:00pm – 9:00pm): February 7 AND February 21, March 14 AND March 21, April 11 AND April 18, May 9 AND May 16, June 13 AND June 20, July 11 AND July 18, August 8 AND August 15, September 12 AND September 19, October 10 AND October 17, November 14 AND November 21, December 12 AND December 19

The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person. You can find additional information and register online for these seminars at the Cobb County Divorcing Parents Seminar website.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar in Georgia if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. Forsyth County (Cumming) and Cherokee County (Ball Ground, Canton, and Woodstock) are part of the 9th judicial district. The January – March 2011 parenting seminar schedule for the 9th judicial district is as follows:

• Gainesville (New Hall County Courthouse, 225 Green Street SE) – Thursday, February 3, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, February 17, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, March 3, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, March 17, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, March 31, 5:00pm – 9:00pm
• Dahlonega (North Georgia College and State University, Continuing Education Bldg., Highway 60) – Tuesday February 22, 9:00am – 1:00pm; Monday, March 28, 9:00am – 1:00pm
• Blairsville (Haralson Civic Center, 165 Welborn Street) – Monday, February 7, 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Monday, March 7, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
• Clarkesville (North GA Technical College, 1500 Hwy. 197 North) – Wednesday, February 9, 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Wednesday, March 9, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
• Woodstock (Woodstock Public Library, 7735 Main Street) – Saturday, January 29, 10:00am – 2:00pm; Saturday, February 26, 10:0am – 2:00pm; Saturday, March 12, 10:00am – 2:00pm
• Ellijay (Gilmer County Library, 268 Calvin Jackson Drive) – Monday, February 28, 1:00pm – 5:00pm; Monday, March 21, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
• Cumming (First Baptist Church Cumming, Kids Town Building, 1597 Sawnee Drive) – Saturday, September 25, 10:00am – 2:00pm
• Dawsonville (Dawson County Library, 342 Allen Street) – Saturday, February 12, 10:30am – 2:30pm; Saturday, March 19, 10:30am – 2:30pm

The cost of the seminar is currently $50.00 per person. There is no pre-registration. You can find additional information about these seminars at 9th Judicial Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution website.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar in Georgia if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. The following is the 2011 parenting seminar schedule for Fulton County (Alpharetta, Atlanta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell):

• Saturday morning seminar once per month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Downtown Justice Center Building located at 160 Pryor Street, S.W., Courtroom G33, Atlanta, Georgia. 2011 dates – February 19, March 19, April 23, May 21, June 18, July 23, August 20, September 17, October 22, November 19, December 17

• Wednesday morning seminar once per month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the South Fulton Service Center located at 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park, Georgia in the auditorium. 2011 dates – January 26, February 23, March 23, April 27, May 25, June 22, July 27, August 24, September 28, October 26, November 23, December 28

• Thursday evening seminar once per month from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Dorothy Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex located at 6500 Vernon Woods, Drive, Building B, Sandy Springs, Georgia. 2011 dates – February 3, March 3, April 7, May 5, June 2, July 7, August 4, September 8, October 6, November 3, December 1

Please note that both the South Fulton Service Center and the Dorothy Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex locations require pre-registration. The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person. You can find additional information about these seminars at Fulton County Families in Transition program website.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. DeKalb County (Avondale Estates, Chamblee, Decatur, Doraville, Lithonia, and Stone Mountain) offers its Seminar for Divorcing Parents at three different locations in the county. All remaining 2010 seminars will take place in the 1st floor Jury Room of the Dekalb County Courthouse Judicial Tower, located at 556 N. McDonough Street, Decatur, Georgia. The schedule for the remainder of 2010 is as follows:

Friday, September 10, 9:30am – 1:30pm
Friday, September 24, 9:30am – 1:30pm
Monday, October 4, 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Friday, October 22, 9:30am – 1:30pm
Monday, November 8, 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Friday, November 19, 9:30am – 1:30pm
Monday, December 6, 5:00pm – 9:00pm
Friday, December 17, 9:30am – 1:30pm

The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person. Dates and time are subject to change so please check the DeKalb County Seminar for Divorcing Parents website for the most up to date information and for online registration under the divorce tab.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. Gwinnett County (Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Snellville, and Suwanee) offers its Parenting Seminar at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30045. The seminars are held in Conference Room A West Wing on the second floor. The schedule for the remainder of 2010 is as follows:

Weekday seminars from 9:00am – 1:00pm: September 2, September 9, September 23, October 7, October 14, October 28, November 4, November 10, December 2, December 9

Evening seminars from 5:00pm – 9:00pm: September 16, October 21, November 18, December 16

The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person and registration MUST be received prior to the day of the seminar. You can find additional information and register online for these seminars at the Gwinnett County Parenting Seminar website.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. Cobb County (Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs and Smyrna) offers its Divorcing Parents Seminar at the Cobb County Superior Court Building (Building D; 6th floor jury assembly room), 30 Waddell Street, Marietta, GA 30090.

Cobb County offers a four-hour weekday seminar (from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm) or two two-hour evening sessions (from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm). The schedule for the remainder of 2010 is as follows:

Thursday morning classes (8:30am – 1:00pm): September 2, September 16, October 7, October 21, November 4, November 18, December 2, December 16

Monday evening classes (7:00pm – 9:00pm): September 13 AND 20, October 11 AND 18, November 8 AND 15, December 13 AND 20

The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person. You can find additional information and register online for these seminars at the Cobb County Divorcing Parents Seminar website.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. Forsyth County (Cumming) and Cherokee County (Ball Ground, Canton, and Woodstock) are part of the 9th judicial district. All of the counties in this 9th judicial district work jointly to offer their seminar for divorcing parents throughout the judicial district.

The schedule for September 2010 is as follows:
• Gainesville (New Hall County Courthouse, 225 Green Street SE) – Thursday, September 2, 5:00pm – 9:00pm; Thursday, September 16, 5:00pm – 9:00pm
• Dahlonega (North Georgia College and State University, Continuing Education Bldg., Highway 60) – Wednesday, September 8, 9:00am – 1:00pm
• Blairsville (Haralson Civic Center, 165 Welborn Street) – Monday, September 13, 9:00am – 1:00pm
• Clarkesville (North GA Technical College, 1500 Hwy. 197 North) – Tuesday, September 14, 1:00pm – 5:00pm
• Woodstock (Woodstock Public Library, 7735 Main Street) – Saturday, September 18, 10:00am – 2:00pm
• Ellijay (Gilmer County Library, 268 Calvin Jackson Drive) – Monday, September, 20 1:00pm – 5:00pm
• Cumming (First Baptist Church Cumming, Kids Town Building, 1597 Sawnee Drive) – Saturday, September 25, 10:00am – 2:00pm

The cost of the seminar is currently $50.00 per person. There is no pre-registration. You can find additional information about these seminars at 9th Judicial Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution website.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar if the parties have children under the age of 18. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. Fulton County (Alpharetta, Atlanta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell) offers its Family in Transition seminar at three different locations in the county. The following is a list of locations and schedule of seminars for the rest of the year:

• Saturday morning seminar once per month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Downtown Justice Center Building located at 160 Pryor Street, S.W., Courtroom G33, Atlanta, Georgia. Remaining 2010 dates – September 18, October 16, November 13, and December 18.
• Weekday morning seminar once per month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the South Fulton Service Center located at 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park, Georgia in the auditorium. Remaining 2010 dates – August 31, September 21, October 19, November 16, and December 21.
• Weekday evening seminar once per month from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Dorothy Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex located at 6500 Vernon Woods, Drive, Building B, Sandy Springs, Georgia. Remaining 2010 dates – September 9, October 7, November 4, and December 2.

Please note that both the South Fulton Service Center and the Dorothy Benson Senior Multipurpose Complex locations require pre-registration. The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person. You can find additional information about these seminars at Fulton County Families in Transition program website.

Under Georgia law, both parties in a divorce are required to attend a parenting seminar in Georgia if the parties have children under the age of 18 due to the volatile nature of divorce and the impact it has on children. See Uniform Superior Court Rule 24.8. The parties are not required to attend the seminar together - they can take it at separate locations and on different dates. Even though the content of the parenting seminar is basically the same throughout the state, each county manages its own parenting seminar program. Generally, the topics addressed are how to reduce stress for children during a divorce, visitation recommendations, financial obligations, conflict management, the changing parental roles during a divorce, stress indicators for children, and the needs and age appropriate expectations of children going through a divorce.

You can find more information for parenting seminars in Metropolitan Atlanta counties from our blog at:

• Cobb County
• DeKalb County
• Forsyth County
• Gwinnett County
• Fulton County

Please note that there are only a limited number of seminars offered each month so it is important to review the schedule and try to attend the next available seminar. If you cannot attend the parenting seminar for the county in which your divorce is filed, most counties allow you to take the seminar in any other county in the State of Georgia to receive credit. If you take the seminar in another county, however, you will need to bring the civil action file number assigned to your case with you.

Continue reading "Atlanta Parenting Seminar Information" »

Forsyth County (Cumming) and Cherokee County (Ball Ground, Canton, and Woodstock) are part of the 9th judicial district. All of the counties in this 9th judicial district work jointly to offer their seminar for divorcing parents throughout the judicial district. They are currently offering seminars in:

• Cumming at the Forsyth County Library located at 585 Dahlonega Street, Cumming, GA 30040
• Canton at the R. T. Jones Memorial Library located at 116 Brown Industrial Parkway, Canton, GA 30114
• and in Blairsville, Clarkesville, Dahlonega, Ellijay, and Gainesville.

The cost of the seminar is currently $50.00 per person. You can find additional information about these seminars at 9th Judicial Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution website.

Gwinnett County (Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Norcross, Snellville, and Suwanee) offers its Parenting Seminar in order to help parties involved in a divorce with minor children met their mandatory parenting time seminar at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, Georgia 30045. Day seminars are held in conference room A West Wing. Evening seminars are held Jury assembly Room East Wing.

One unique fact about the Gwinnett seminars is they are offer either a four hour weekday seminar (from 9:00 am to 1:00 p.m.) or two two-hour evening sessions (from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.). The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person and registration MUST be received prior to the day of the seminar. You can find additional information and register online for these seminars at the Gwinnett County Parenting Seminar website.

Fulton County (Alpharetta, Atlanta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell) offers its Family in Transition seminar in order to help parties involved in a divorce with minor children met their mandatory parenting time seminar at three different locations in the county. Currently, it is offering a:

• Saturday morning seminar once per month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Downtown Justice Center Building located at 160 Pryor Street, S.W., Courtroom G33, Atlanta, Georgia.
• Weekday morning seminar once per month from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the South Fulton Service Center located at 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park, Georgia in the auditorium.
• Weekday evening seminar once per month from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the North Fulton Service Center located at 7741 Roswell Road, Atlanta, Georgia in the auditorium.

Please note that both the North and South service center locations require pre-registration. The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person. You can find additional information about these seminars at Fulton County Families in Transition program website.

Cobb County (Acworth, Austell, Kennesaw, Marietta, Powder Springs and Smyrna) offers its Divorcing Parents Seminar in order to help parties involved in a divorce with minor children met their mandatory parenting time seminar at the Cobb County Superior Court Building (Building D; 6th floor jury assembly room), 30 Waddle Street, Marietta, GA 30090.

Cobb County (like Gwinnett) also offer both a four hour weekday seminar (from 8:30 am to 1:00 p.m.) or two two-hour evening sessions (from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.). The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person. You can find additional information and register online for these seminars at the Cobb County Divorcing Parents Seminar website.

DeKalb County (Avondale Estates, Chamblee, Decatur, Doraville, Lithonia, and Stone Mountain) offers its Seminar for Divorcing Parents at three different locations:

• The Callaway Building located at 120 West Trinity Place Room 311, Decatur, Georgia
• DeKalb County Courthouse Judicial Tower located at 556 N. McDonough St, 5th Floor Room “A”, Decatur, Georgia
• The Maloof Building located at 1300 Commerce Drive Decatur, Decatur, Georgia, in the Annex building

The seminars are held on:

• the first Wednesday of each month from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
• the third Wednesday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and
• the fourth Friday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The cost of the seminar is currently $30.00 per person. Dates and time are subject to change so please check the DeKalb County Seminar for Divorcing Parents website for the most up to date information and for online registration under the divorce tab.