Pandemic Updates and Resources - mdg Custody Litigation Consulting

More than three years ago rules and regulations started changing due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Courthouses are open now, but many courts are continuing to operate remotely. And, the news and updated changes affecting our family law practices continue to change. This page will continue to publish the latest appellate and superior court notices and orders, and other family law related resources and updates. Please return often, as the list continues to grow.

Georgia Appellate Courts

Supreme Court of Georgia

June 15, 2023 – Updated Rules for Legal Interpreting in the State of Georgia
March 27, 2023 – Final Report of Georgia Lawyer Competency Task Force
March 1, 2022 –Revised Supreme Court Policy Regarding Masks in the Nathan Deal Judicial Center
January 10, 2022 – Revised Supreme Court Policy Regarding Masks in the Nathan Deal Judicial Center
November, 2021 – Revised In-Person Oral Argument Guidelines
October, 2021 – Revised In-Person Oral Argument Guidelines
August 4, 2021 – Revised Supreme Court Policy Regarding Masks in the Nathan Deal Judicial Center
June 22, 2021 – Order Extending and Clarifying Temporary Amendments to Video Conferencing Rules for the Superior, Juvenile, Magistrate, Municipal, and Probate Courts.
June 8, 2021 – Revised In-Person Oral Argument Guidelines
June 7, 2021 – Notice of Expected Termination of Statewide Judicial Emergency on June 30, 2021
June 7, 2021 – Fifteenth Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency until June 30, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
May 14, 2021 – Requests for Remote Oral Argument
May 11, 2021 – In-Person Oral Argument Guidelines
May 8, 2021 – Fourteenth Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency until June 7, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
April 8, 2021 – Thirteenth Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency until May 8, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
March 9, 2021 – Twelfth Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency until April 8, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
February 7, 2021 – Eleventh Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency until March 9, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.
January 8, 2021 – Tenth Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency until February 7, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.
December 9, 2020 – Ninth Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency until January 8, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.
December 4, 2020 – Order re Continuing Legal Education extending grace period to complete 2020 CLEs to May 31, 2021, and temporarily waiving the in-person CLE requirement.
November 9, 2020 – Eighth Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency until December 9, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
October 10, 2020 – Seventh Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency until November 9, 2020, at 11:59 p.m.
September 10, 2020 – Sixth Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency until Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
August 11, 2020 – Fifth Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency until Thursday, September 10, 2020, at 11:59 p.m.
August oral arguments will be held via video conferencing on August 11, 12 and 13, 2020, and live-streamed over the internet. No family law related cases are scheduled.
July 10, 2020 – Fourth Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency until Tuesday, August 11, 2020, at 11:59 p.m.
June 12, 2020 – Third Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency until Sunday, July 12, 2020, at 11:59 p.m.
June 11, 2020 – Georgia Court Reopening Guide (Bench Card)
May 21, 2020 – Order – Amendment to Supreme Court Temporary Rule 11.1
May 21, 2020 – Notice reinstating filing deadlines
— Sample “Pending Case” Order
— Certificate of Timeliness
— Sample “New Case” Order (effective May 28, 2020)
May 11, 2020 – Second Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency to June 12, 2020 at 11:59 p.m.
May 4, 2020 – Guidance on Extension of Deadlines and Time Limits
May 4, 2020 – Draft Amendment to Uniform Superior Court Rule 9.1 released. The rule will authorize civil non-jury trials to be conducted via video conferencing. It will remain in effect for 180 days after the expiration of the Statewide Judicial Emergency,
May oral arguments will be held via video conferencing on May 19, 20 and 21, 2020, and live-streamed over the internet. No family law related cases are scheduled.
For the first time in history, April oral arguments are being held via video conferencing during the week of April 20, 2020. Arguments are live-streamed over the internet, and are also archived, so you can return at any time to watch them. This month, the Court heard arguments in two family law related cases.
April 10, 2020 – The Honorable Carla Wong McMillan appointed as Georgia Supreme Court Justice to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Robert Benham
April 6, 2020 – Order Extending Declaration of Statewide Judicial Emergency The March 14, 2020 Order Declaring Statewide Judicial Emergency is extended until Wednesday, May 13, 2020, unless otherwise modified or extended.
March 31, 2020 – Order clarifying and/or amending Uniform Juvenile Court Rules 12.1 and 12.2(e)(4) regarding proceedings by video-conferencing
March 27, 2020 – Order clarifying and/or amending Uniform Superior Court Rules 9.1 and 9.2 regarding proceedings by video-conferencing
March 27, 2020 – Guidance for Tolling Filing Deadlines
March 27, 2020 – Order authorizing attorneys to participate in and supervise closings via video-conferencing. Together with the above March 31, 2020 Executive Order, this order facilitates closings and transfers of properties pursuant to divorce decrees and settlement agreements.
March 14, 2020 – Order Declaring Statewide Judicial Emergency.

Georgia Court of Appeals

July 11, 2023 – Georgia Court of Appeals Welcomes Judge Jeffrey Watkins to the Bench
June 22, 2023 – Judge Amanda Mercier is Sworn in as Chief Judge
March 1, 2022 – Revised Supreme Court Policy Regarding Masks in the Nathan Deal Judicial Center
January 10, 2022 – Revised Georgia Court of Appeals Policy Regarding Masks in the Nathan Deal Judicial Center
October 6, 2021 – Revised Mask and Oral Argument Procedure Policies
August, 2021 – Options for Oral Arguments: In-Person or Virtual – Beginning in September 2021
August 4, 2021 – Revised Georgia Court of Appeals Policy Regarding Masks in the Nathan Deal Judicial Center
June, 2021 – Updated Policy of the Georgia Court of Appeals Regarding Masks in the Nathan Deal Judicial Center
March 12, 2021 Notice in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
December oral arguments will be held via Zoom on December 8, 15, 16 and 17, 2020. One family law case is scheduled for December 15, 2020.
September 14, 2020 Notice in response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
August and September oral arguments will be held via Zoom only. No family law cases are scheduled.
July 2020 Message in response to the Covid-19 outbreak
May 2020 Message in response to the Covid-19 outbreak
May oral arguments will be held via Zoom on May 5, 20 and 28, 2020. One family law case is scheduled for May 5, 2020..
April 10, 2020 – The Honorable Verda M. Colvin appointed as Georgia Court of Appeals Judge to fill the vacancy created by the appointment of the Honorable Carla Wong McMillan to the Georgia Supreme Court.
April 10, 2020 – The Honorable John A. “Trea” Pipkin, III appointed as Georgia Court of Appeals Judge to fill the vacancy created by the passing of the Honorable Stephen S. Goss.
April 2020 Message in response to the Covid-19 outbreak
April oral arguments postponed to a later date to be announced.

County Superior Court Orders and Notices

Note: Only some counties are listed below. If your county is not listed, go to the county superior court website for updated court orders and notices.

Bibb County

June 2, 2020 – Public Notice re Limited Access to Superior Court Clerk’s Office
May, 2020 – Guidelines for Court Proceedings for Courts in the Macon Judicial Circuit

Chatham County

July 30, 2021 – Order re Entry into the Chatham County Courthouse
June 25, 2021 – Order re Entry into the Chatham County Courthouse
June 12, 2020 – Standing Order for Virtual Court Proceedings by Webex / Duties of Attorneys and Pro Se Litigants
June 3, 2020 – Protocol for Remote Hearings in Domestic and Civil Cases

Cherokee County

December 3, 2021 – Order for Temporary Safety Measures for All Classes of Courts
July 1, 2021 – Cherokee County Order Declaring Local Judicial Emergency
March 11, 2021 – Guidelines During Statewide Judicial Emergency
February 17, 2021 – Guide for Reopening Jury Trials
April 9, 2020 – Order on Videoconferencing
March 18, 2020 – Order to Address Essential Functions
March 13, 2020 – Order Declaring Judicial Emergency

Cobb County

August 15, 2022 – Order Amending Courthouse Safety Guidelines for All Classes of Courts
July 5, 2022 – Mask mandate re-instituted inside county courthouse complex
March 1, 2022 – Order Amending Courthouse Safety Guidelines for All Classes of Courts
December 22, 2021 – Masks Required in County Facilities
December 20, 2021 – Guide for Resuming Jury Trials – Amended
October 28, 2021 – 21-10-28 – Cobb Memo re temperature checks
August 23, 2021 – Updated Court Operations
June 30, 2021 – Order Amending Courthouse Safety Guidelines
May 31, 2021 – Guide for Resuming Jury Trials,– Amended
May 25, 2021 – Third Order Amending Courthouse Safety Guidelines for All Classes of Courts
February 23, 2021 – Order re Courthouse Safety Guidelines and Re-Instating Jury Trial Plan
July 10, 2020 – Notice to the Bar and Public Regarding Safety at the Courthouse
Cobb Superior Court Preparing to Participate in a Court Zoom Session
March 20, 2020 – Notice of Clarification; Domestic Relations Custody Orders for School and Holiday Visitation – Regardless of the current school closings, parenting time and visitation shall continue to be governed by the previously published school calendar dates for holidays, breaks and summer vacations.
March 18, 2020 – Memorandum regarding judicial emergency
March 17, 2020 – Public Notice regarding limited access to the Cobb Superior Court Clerk’s Office.

Coweta County

March 10, 2021 – Order Opening Jury Trials for the Coweta Judicial Circuit

DeKalb County

March 10, 2023 – Administrative Order opening judicial chambers on March 13, 2023 and resuming in-person trials on April 3, 2023.
February 10, 2023 – Update to January 12, 2023 Amended Administrative Order opening some areas of Courthouse to the public.
January 12, 2023 – Amended Administrative Order temporarily closing down Courthouse and suspending jury trials until April 3, 2023.
August 30, 2021 – Revised In-Person Oral Argument Guidelines
Families in Transition parenting seminars now held virtually online at Navigating Family Change.
March 9, 2021 – Order Declaring Judicial Emergency (Twelfth) – Extended through April
October 9, 2020 – Order Declaring Judicial Emergency (Seventh) – Extended through November 9, 2020.
July 12, 2020 – Order Declaring Judicial Emergency – Extended through August 11, 2020
The Family Law Information Center and Family Law Workshops are suspended until further notice. For more information, call 404/687-3990, or click here.
March 25, 2020 – Standing Order re Notice of Clarification for Cases Governed by the DeKalb County School Calendar, Domestic Relations Custody Orders for School and Holiday Visitation – Regardless of the current school closings, parenting time and visitation shall continue to be governed by the previously published school calendar dates for holidays, breaks and summer vacations.

Fayette County

August 6, 2021 – Order Amending Courthouse Safety/Security Guidelines
July 16, 2020 – First Amendment to Courthouse Guidelines
June 1, 2020 – Courthouse Guidelines

Forsyth County

July 1, 2021 – Administrative Order 21-9 – Recission of Administrative Order 21-7.
May 14, 2021 – Administrative Order 21-7 regarding face masks and social distancing in courthouse.
April 8, 2021 – Pandemic Jury Trial Plan for Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit
July 20, 2020 – Administrative Order 20-10 regarding face masks and social distancing in courthouse.
May 28, 2020 – Administrative Order 20-7 regarding face masks and social distancing in courthouse.
March 16, 2020 – Juvenile Court Interim Order Regarding Court-Ordered Parenting Time/Visitation in All Dependency Cases
March 16, 2020 – Juvenile Court Order regarding judicial emergency

Fulton County

July, 2023 – Justice Resource Center Expands Its Facilities
March, 2023 – Judge Shermela J. Williams on Common Sense, Representation and the Power of Family Interview
January 18, 2023 – Judges Phillip Jackson, Coy J. Johnson, Jr., and T. Natasha Crawford appointed as full-time Judges to the Juvenile Court bench.
September 29, 2021 – Order Regarding Health and Safety in Courthouse
August 2, 2021 – Amended Order Declaring Judicial Emergency
June 30, 2021 – Amended Order Declaring Judicial Emergency
February 26, 2021 – Guidelines for Resuming Jury Trials
July 29, 2020 – Guidelines for Expanding In-Person Proceedings.
July 14, 2020 – In-person TPO hearings are suspended until further notice. Applications for Temporary Protective Ex Parte Orders, and requests for a video hearing, may be submitted online. For more information, click here.
The Families In Transition (FIT) Seminar is suspended until further notice. An online version of the seminar is available to participants. To register, click here.
The Family Law Workshop has been suspended until further notice.
Child Support Enforcement cases (East Point Child Support Office) in Courtroom 6J are suspended until further notice. Contact the Office of Child Support Enforcement at 1-844-694-2347 for further information.
March 24, 2020 – Standing Order Governing Ex-Parte Temporary Protective Orders – Ex parte orders shall be extended, tolled or otherwise continued until further order.
March 23, 2020 – Notice of Clarification: Domestic Relations Custody Orders for School and Holiday Visitation – Regardless of the current school closings, parenting time and visitation shall continue to be governed by the previously published school calendar dates for holidays, breaks and summer vacations.

Gwinnett County

March 15, 2021 – Gwinnett County Guide for Resuming Jury Trials
June 17, 2020 – Guidelines for In-Court Judicial Proceedings
The Navigating Family Change parenting seminar, required in most cases involving custody of children, is now being offered live and interactive, via Zoom. For more information, the program schedule and registration, click here.
March 30, 2020 – Order Extending Judicial Emergency
March 13, 2020 – Order Declaring Judicial Emergency

Richmond County

June 24, 2020 – Standing Order for Court Proceedings

Other Family Law News, Updates and Resources

Get ready for the Guardian ad Litem Advanced Training and Retreat, September 9-11, 2022, in St. Simons, Georgia, sponsored by the Center for Navigating Family Change. For more information and registration, click here.
The Navigating Family Change co-parenting seminar presented by the Center for Navigating Family Change is now available online in live format for registrations throughout Georgia.
Georgia House Bill 96 – 2021 legislation introduced to mandate a presumption in favor of equal parenting time, rebuttable only by clear and convincing evidence. These revisions to the Georgia Code can have a significant impact in custody cases. Send your comments and thoughts to the bill sponsors, or to your local House Representative.
Defending the Rights of Parents with Disabilities in Custody and Visitation Determinations – Please join Georgia Lord and me for a live continuing legal education webinar on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. EDT. Postponed.
June, 2020 – Congratulations State Bar of Georgia Family Law Section for receiving the 2019 -20 Section of the Year Award!
The Barcelona/Georgia Exchange CLE and Networking Program originally planned for October 2020 is postponed until 2021. Let’s all look forward to an even better program next year! And, meanwhile, I will be working with ICAB (the Barcelona Bar Association) to create other programs and initiatives to keep the momentum going. Stay tuned for more details as they develop!
June 9, 2020 – Georgia Primaries. PLEASE VOTE! In addition to making ourselves heard on the many issues that are important to our everyday lives, there are several important Superior Court and Supreme Court races that will impact our family law practices every day.
State Bar of Georgia Family Law Section Recommended Protocol for Remote Notarization and Attestation of Documents in Georgia
Parents with Disabilities, authored by M. Debra Gold and published in the State Bar of Georgia The Family Law Review
Working from Home as a Family Law Attorney: Overcoming Challenges
Seven Guidelines for Parents Who are Divorced/Separated and Sharing Custody of Children During the Covid-19 Pandemic issued by the Association of Family and Conciliatory Courts (AFCC) and the American Association of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML).
7 Tips for Family Law Practitioners in the Midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic, authored by Kathleen McNamara, PhD and Lisa Hall, LMFT.
State Bar of Georgia Remote Notarization and Witnessing Suggested Practices and FAQs
State Bar of Georgia Family Law Section 38th Annual Family Law Institute is cancelled.
State Bar of Georgia 2020 Annual Meeting is cancelled. Plans are to hold some of the meetings and the incoming officer swearing-in ceremony virtually.

Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp Executive Orders

May 12, 2020 – Executive Order – Reviving a Healthy Georgia – partial reopening of services, etc.
April 30, 2020 – Executive Order – Renewal of Public Health State of Emergency through June 12, 2020.
April 9, 2020 – Executive Order – Temporarily Allowing Remote Notarization and Attestation of documents using audio-visual communication technology or similar means of real-time video conferencing.
April 8, 2020 – Executive Order – Renewal of Public Health State of Emergency. Public Health State of Emergency extended through May 13, 2020. Shelter-in-place mandate extended through April 30, 2020.
April 3, 2020 – Executive Order expanding the definition of “Essential Services.” Child custody and visitation orders shall not be affected by the April 2, 2020 shelter in place executive order. Visitation shall be considered an essential activity.
April 2, 2020 – Executive Order to Ensure a Safe & Healthy Georgia, the shelter-in-place mandate.
March 31, 2020 – Executive Order authorizing real-time audio-visual technology for notarizing real estate documents. Together with the below March 27, 2020 Supreme Court Order, this executive order facilitates closings and transfers of properties pursuant to divorce decrees and settlement agreements.
March 14, 2020 – Executive Order – Public Health State of Emergency