A wide range of issues are encompassed under the broad heading of Family Law or Domestic Relations, almost all of which are filed in one of the Superior Courts of the State of Georgia. (Some litigation may occur in Juvenile Court or Magistrate Court.)
A mother of a child born out of wedlock may petition to determine the paternity of an alleged father and to have him held responsible for support payments. A father of such a child may petition to have the child legitimated and to be awarded parental rights of custody or visitation.
An existing court order for alimony or child support may be modified up or down by an appropriate petition.
An action may be filed to enforce compliance with an existing court order in regard to support or custody or visitation.
A tort claim may be brought for fraud or slander or invasion of privacy or intentional infliction of emotional distress or malicious prosecution.
A suit for a temporary or permanent protective order may be filed in the aftermath of family violence.
But for the most common action which takes place under the heading of Family Law or Domestic Relations relates to the dissolution of marriage, addressed in the next section, or the custody and support of children, addressed after that.