ADR Program
10 East Park Square
Marietta, GA 30090
(770) 528-1812
Alternative Dispute Resolution is a means of settling legal disputes in lieu of often costly and time-consuming civil court trials. ADR allows you to control your own disputes and resolve the problem yourself, rather than having a judge and/or jury decide it for you. For civil and domestic cases filed in Cobb Superior Court, two types of ADR are available: Mediation and Case Evaluation.
While parties may be ordered to participate in the ADR program, any settlement agreement is voluntary. In the absence of settlement, the parties retain their right to take their conflict before a judge or jury.
Superior Court mediations can be held in person, virtually or in a hybrid setting (where one party may be in person and one may be by phone or video conference). To best serve the needs of the parties, the Cobb ADR staff is available to assist in hosting and scheduling virtual mediations. Please contact our office at (770) 528-1812 for assistance.
What is Mediation?
Mediation involves a neutral third party who facilitates settlement discussions between individuals in conflict. More informal in nature, the mediation process is intended to focus the attention of each party on their needs and interests rather than rights and positions. The mediator may assist the parties in brainstorming solutions to the problems at hand, but will not offer an opinion as to how the case should be resolved.
What is Case Evaluation?
In Case Evaluation, all parties present their factual and legal arguments to a trained case evaluator. The evaluator, using his or her legal expertise and experience, weighs the strengths and weaknesses of each party's case and renders an opinion about the probable outcome of a court hearing. After the evaluator's opinion is presented, the parties may choose to mediate the issues or proceed with formal court action.
Case evaluation is only recommended for parties who are represented by legal counsel.
ADR Mediation Forms
Co-Parenting Seminar
The Co-Parenting Seminar provides parents with information on such topics as the court process and how it impacts children, developmental stages of children, communication skills, identifying when a child may need help, and realistic expectations about stepfamilies.
Registration is required to attend.
Because of the extremely emotional nature of separation and its impact on children, the Cobb County Superior Court Judges enacted a local rule of court mandating parents involved in any custody matter that have children under the age of 18 to attend a four-hour educational seminar. This class is provided by Children of Divorce, Inc.
Evaluations have consistently shown that at least 94% of participants felt that the course was helpful to them during the process.
The course is conducted by qualified professionals who can help parents identify and respond to the best interest of their children.
Registration and Fees
The cost to attend is $50.00 per person. You may register online and pay with a credit or debit card. If you are unable or wish not to pay online, you may contact the ADR Office at (770) 528-1812 to register for an available date.
Classes are held live via Zoom. Tickets are limited. Zoom links will be emailed to registered participants at least one business day prior to the class date. Please log in on time. Late arrivals will not be admitted into the Seminar and will have to reschedule. Registration fees are non-refundable but may be transferred to an alternative date. If you have already taken this course for a previous Cobb County case, please contact the ADR Office at (770) 528-1812 before registering.
Morning/Evening Class Schedule
You will complete the seminar by attending one morning seminar or one evening seminar. Evening sessions are virtual via Zoom.
If you need interpreter services, please contact Megan Hill at megan.hill@cobbcounty.org at least 72-hours prior to the seminar date.|
Si necesita servicios de interpretación, comuníquese con Megan Hill en megan.hill@cobbcounty.org al menos 72 horas antes de la fecha del seminario.
| Day | Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Nov. 7, 2024 | 9 am - 1 pm | Click to Register |
| Tuesday | Nov. 12, 2024 | 5 pm- 9 pm | Click to Register |
| Tuesday | Nov. 19, 2024 | 5 pm - 9 pm | Click to Register |
| Thursday | Dec. 5, 2024 | 9 am- 1 pm | Click to Register |
| Monday | Dec. 9, 2024 | 5 pm- 9 pm | Click to Register |
| Tuesday | Dec. 17, 2024 | 5 pm- 9 pm | Click to Register |
Alternative Classes
Please call (770) 528-1812 for alternate class approval.
Family Law Workshop
The Family Law Workshop, a joint venture of Cobb Superior Court and the Cobb County Bar Association, is designed to help self-represented litigants gain a better understanding of the legal process and court procedures.
Some individuals do not have the desire or ability to hire a lawyer to represent them in a traditional fashion, but they may need legal help with a particular issue or portion of their case. The Cobb County Bar Association’s Family Law and Younger Lawyers Sections have worked together to provide a number of attorneys who will offer specific, limited legal services at set rates. Information on this type of legal assistance will be provided to workshop participants.
The free Family Law Workshop is mandatory for self-represented litigants, and it is offered via Zoom . At the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to ask a family law attorney general questions via the Chat icon.
If you need interpreter services, please contact Megan Hill at megan.hill@cobbcounty.org at least 72-hours prior to the workshop date.
Si necesita servicios de interpretación, comuníquese con Megan Hill en megan.hill@cobbcounty.org al menos 72 horas antes de la fecha del taller.
SCHEDULE
FREE Workshops will be held via Zoom on specified dates from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- January 29, 2024
- February 19, 2024
- March 18, 2024
- April 29, 2024
- May 20, 2024
- June 17, 2024
- July 29, 2024
- August 19, 2024
- September 16, 2024
- October 28, 2024
- November 18, 2024
- December 16, 2024
You must attend the entire session to receive a certificate. A list of attendees will be recorded at the end of the session. Please log in on time. Late arrivals will not be let into the Workshop and will have to reschedule.
The ADR Program will email you a copy of your certificate as well as a copy of the Limited Scope Representation Attorneys within 48 hours of your attendance. A certificate will be filed with the Clerk’s office for those attendees who provide a case number.
Workshop Objectives
This workshop will assist you with the following case types:
- Divorce
- Contempt
- Paternity/Legitimation
- Modification
Navigating through the legal system can be extremely difficult. Each case is individualized by its own set of facts; however, there are some basic rules that all cases must follow which this workshop will address.
No workshop can teach you everything you need to know about representing yourself in any legal action, but this workshop is designed to answer some of the basic questions you may have:
- What information do I need in order to file?
- Are there mandatory forms that I need?
- How do I schedule my case for a hearing?
- What are the operating procedures of the Court?
Registration
Email your name, case number, and what date you would like to attend to megan.hill@cobbcounty.org. If you do not receive a confirmation email within 48 hours, please contact our office. Attendees will be emailed the Zoom link on the day of the workshop.
You MUST register before 4 p.m. on the day of the workshop.
Contact Megan Hill at (770) 528-1537 with any questions.
From the Court to the Classroom
From the Court to the Classroom is an interactive program provided by Cobb Superior Court to educate students about the judicial system.
Select students perform roles in a scripted mock trial that is appropriate for fourth or fifth grades, in groups of about 50 students. This experience introduces students to our legal system while helping them develop critical thinking and oral advocacy skills.
This is a unique program designed to supplement any study of civil government and the judiciary. Most notably, it is offered free of charge for Cobb County students.
For more information, contact the Cobb Law Library at 770-528-1884 or lawlibrary@cobbcounty.org.