Bill > HB530

This bill mandates that all Georgia probate courts implement electronic filing systems for civil matter pleadings and documents by January 1, 2028, in accordance with standards set by the Council of Probate Court Judges. The bill establishes specific guidelines for electronic filing fees, including a maximum $30 one-time filing fee and a 3.5% plus 30¢ convenience fee for credit card transactions. Certain entities, such as government offices and court-appointed attorneys, are exempt from these fees. The legislation ensures that attorneys and self-represented parties can access and download filed documents at no cost, and that assigned judges and their staff have immediate access to electronically filed documents. The bill also specifies exceptions for certain types of filings, such as documents filed under seal or during states of emergency. Each probate court must develop policies to implement these new electronic filing standards, and electronically filed documents will be considered officially filed upon receipt by the electronic filing service provider and become publicly accessible after court acceptance. The goal is to modernize and streamline the probate court filing process while maintaining transparency and accessibility.

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https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70513