Reviewed August 2026
Mediation in Georgia
Georgia does not have one statewide statute that forces mediation in every divorce case. Mandatory mediation in Georgia divorce and custody cases comes mostly from local judicial circuit rules. These rules operate under the Georgia Supreme Court's Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules, administered by the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution, known as GODR. Many judicial circuits require mediation for contested child custody or visitation disputes before a case can reach a final hearing. The specific requirement and process depend on which circuit handles the case. Whether a Georgia divorce must go through mediation, and how that mediation gets scheduled, is a local court question as much as a statewide one. Georgia builds a safety check directly into the process. Every domestic relations case is screened before mediation to determine whether a session can be done safely.
Virdix's document-preparation product currently prepares divorce paperwork for California and Florida cases. This page explains how mediation works under Georgia law for people researching before they file. It is not legal advice, and Virdix does not prepare or file Georgia paperwork. See how Virdix works for California divorces.
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How Georgia's ADR system is structured
The Georgia Supreme Court's Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules establish a statewide plan for ADR, administered by the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. These rules cover program administration and neutral qualifications, plus ethical standards for mediators statewide. They set the framework that individual judicial circuits build their local mediation programs on. There is no single rule making mediation automatic in every Georgia county. Many circuits require mediation for contested custody or visitation disputes before a final hearing, but the specific referral process is set at the circuit level.
Mandatory domestic violence screening
Under the Supreme Court's ADR Rules, every domestic relations case in Georgia is screened. This determines whether a mediation session can be conducted safely. Screening is done confidentially, and the information gathered is used only by ADR program staff. It helps them decide whether mediation is appropriate in that case. Georgia's ADR program also flags where to get help outside the court process. It points to Georgia's 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-33-HAVEN (1-800-334-2836), which also has Spanish-language service, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233).
Specialized mediators for domestic violence cases
When screening indicates that domestic violence is a factor, Georgia's ADR rules limit who can mediate that case. Only mediators specifically registered with GODR for domestic violence mediation may handle cases involving abuse allegations. This is a narrower pool than the general roster of court-registered neutrals. It reflects the additional training those mediators need to run a session safely.
Choosing a mediator and confidentiality
In circuits with a court-connected mediation program, parties can typically choose a private, state-registered neutral mediator. Or they can use an appointee drawn from the local court's rotational list of registered mediators. GODR maintains a public directory to help parties find a qualified neutral. Its registration categories cover several types of dispute resolution service, including mediation, beyond just domestic relations cases. Whichever mediator is selected, discussions during Georgia mediation sessions are kept confidential and separate from the court record, including the screening information gathered beforehand. This protects what parties say during the safety screening survey and during the mediation session itself. That information cannot be disclosed outside the ADR program, except as needed to determine whether mediation can proceed safely.
How a mediated agreement becomes a court order
A mediated agreement in a Georgia divorce or custody case is not automatically final. Once the parties reach agreement, it is put in writing and submitted to the judge assigned to the case. It becomes an enforceable order once the judge approves it. The judge then incorporates it into the final divorce decree or a custody or parenting plan order. If mediation does not resolve the dispute, the case proceeds toward whatever hearing or trial process the local circuit uses for contested matters.
Sources: Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution (GODR), Rules (Georgia Supreme Court ADR Rules), Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution (GODR), ADR Screening, Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution (GODR), official site
Not independently confirmed
- Which specific judicial circuits currently mandate mediation before a contested custody hearing versus leaving it discretionary
- Court-connected mediation fees by circuit versus any income-based reduced-fee program
- Whether Georgia has adopted the Uniform Mediation Act by name or relies on its own Supreme Court ADR Rules and program confidentiality policy
Mediation in Georgia: frequently asked questions
Is mediation required for divorce in Georgia?+
There is no single statewide statute mandating mediation for every divorce. Mandatory mediation in Georgia mostly comes from local judicial circuit rules operating under the Georgia Supreme Court's Alternative Dispute Resolution Rules. Many circuits require mediation for contested custody or visitation before a final hearing, but the specific requirement depends on the circuit handling the case.
Does Georgia screen for domestic violence before mediation?+
Yes. Under the Supreme Court's ADR Rules, every domestic relations case in Georgia is screened to determine whether a mediation session can be done safely. The screening is confidential and used only by ADR program staff to decide whether mediation is appropriate for that case.
Can any mediator handle a Georgia case involving domestic violence?+
No. Only mediators specifically registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution for domestic violence mediation may handle cases where abuse allegations exist. This is a smaller, specially trained pool compared with the general roster of court-registered mediators.
Who chooses the mediator in a Georgia divorce or custody case?+
Parties in a circuit with a court-connected mediation program can generally choose a private, state-registered neutral mediator or use an appointee from the local court's rotational list. The Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution maintains a directory to help parties find a qualified neutral.
Is Georgia mediation confidential?+
Yes. Discussions during the mediation session and the information gathered during pre-mediation domestic violence screening are kept confidential and separate from the court record. ADR program staff use that information only to manage the mediation process and assess safety.
What if I'm afraid to mediate with my ex in Georgia?+
Raise the safety concern before mediation is scheduled. Georgia's ADR screening process is designed to catch this. Every domestic relations case is screened confidentially to determine whether mediation is appropriate. Cases involving abuse allegations are limited to mediators specially registered for domestic violence mediation.
This page is general information about mediation in Georgia, not legal advice for your situation. Laws, fees, and procedures change over time; confirm current details with Georgia's own courts before relying on anything here. Virdix is not a law firm and is not licensed to practice law in Georgia. Virdix does not prepare or file Georgia divorce paperwork. It is not a substitute for an attorney licensed in Georgia.
More Georgia divorce guides
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