Legal Help in Atlanta: How to Find the Right Help for Your Situation

If you live in Atlanta, Georgia or you’re dealing with a legal issue tied to the city, it can be hard to know where to start. Atlanta has a large, complex legal community—from private attorneys and big law firms to free legal aid organizations, court self-help centers, and law school clinics.

This guide walks you through how legal help works in Atlanta, where to look based on your situation and budget, and what to know before you contact anyone.

Understanding Your Legal Issue First

Before you look for legal help in Atlanta, it helps to identify what kind of problem you have. Different lawyers and organizations focus on different areas, such as:

• Criminal charges (DUIs, drug charges, theft, violent offenses)
• Family law (divorce, child custody, child support, legitimation, adoption)
• Housing and landlord–tenant issues (evictions, unsafe conditions, security deposits)
• Debt and consumer issues (collections, garnishments, repossessions)
• Employment problems (wrongful termination, unpaid wages, discrimination)
• Immigration (visas, green cards, removal defense, asylum)
• Personal injury (car accidents, slip-and-fall, wrongful death)
• Business and contracts (starting a business, contracts, disputes)
• Estate planning (wills, powers of attorney, guardianship)

Knowing your issue helps you decide whether to seek:

• Private legal representation
• Low-cost or free (pro bono) legal services
• Self-help tools and limited-scope help, such as advice clinics or document review

Free and Low-Cost Legal Aid in Atlanta

If you cannot afford a private attorney, Atlanta has several established legal aid providers. Many services use income guidelines and prioritize certain cases (like evictions, domestic violence, or access to benefits).

Atlanta Legal Aid Society

The Atlanta Legal Aid Society is one of the main sources of free civil legal help for low-income residents. They generally do not handle criminal cases. Typical issues may include:

• Evictions and housing conditions
• Domestic violence and family law
• Public benefits and disability issues
• Consumer and debt problems
• Elder law and health-related legal needs

Atlanta Legal Aid Society – Central Office

• Address: 54 Ellis Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Phone (Main): 404-524-5811

They also have county-based offices serving Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, and Gwinnett, plus specialized projects for people with HIV/AIDS, cancer patients, seniors, and others.

Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP)

While GLSP primarily serves areas outside metro Atlanta, people with cases that involve other Georgia counties or who live in surrounding areas sometimes work with them. They focus on civil (non-criminal) matters for low-income Georgians.

Statewide intake line (for many GLSP services):

• Phone: 1-833-GLSP-LAW (1-833-457-7529)

Georgia Legal Aid Online (Information & Self-Help)

GeorgiaLegalAid.org offers:

• Plain-language articles on Georgia-specific law
• Forms and instructions for some common court filings
• Tools to help you understand your rights

This can be especially helpful if you’re in Atlanta and trying to prepare for court on your own or understand a problem before talking to a lawyer.

Criminal Charges in Atlanta: Public Defenders and Private Attorneys

If you’re accused of a crime in Atlanta, your case might be in:

• Atlanta Municipal Court (traffic offenses, city ordinance violations, some misdemeanors)
• Fulton County State Court or Superior Court (misdemeanors and felonies)
• DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, or Gwinnett courts, depending on where the incident occurred

Public Defender Services

If you cannot afford a lawyer and you’re facing jail time, you may qualify for a public defender.

• In Fulton County Superior Court (felonies and serious matters), public defense is provided through the Fulton County Public Defender’s Office.
• In Atlanta Municipal Court and other local courts, ask the judge or clerk how to apply for appointed counsel.

You typically must:

• Fill out a financial affidavit
• Show proof of your income and expenses
• Be approved by the court

If you do not qualify for a public defender, you will need to consider private criminal defense attorneys.

Family Law Help in Atlanta (Divorce, Custody, Child Support)

Family cases in Atlanta often go through:

• Fulton County Superior Court
• DeKalb County Superior Court (for those living on the east side or in DeKalb County parts of Atlanta)

Fulton County Family Division & Self-Help

Fulton County’s Family Division offers resources that may include:

• Basic guidance on filing for divorce, custody, and legitimation
• Forms packets and instructions
• Information about required parenting seminars in some cases

Fulton County Superior Court – Family Division

• Main Courthouse: 136 Pryor Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303

Clerks can’t give legal advice, but they can tell you what forms exist, where to file, and how fees work.

Free or Low-Cost Help for Family Law

Depending on income and circumstances, you might get help from:

• Atlanta Legal Aid Society – for certain family issues, especially where domestic violence or safety is involved
• Local bar association referral services – to find reduced-fee family law attorneys
• Law school clinics – some semesters, law schools in the Atlanta area run clinics that handle limited types of family law cases under supervision

Housing, Evictions, and Tenant Rights in Atlanta

Housing is a major issue in Atlanta, especially with rising rents and redevelopment. If you are facing:

• Eviction (dispossessory)
• Sudden rent increases or lease disputes
• Unsafe or unhealthy living conditions
• Problems getting your security deposit back

your case will likely be in a county magistrate court or state court, depending on the situation.

Fulton County Magistrate Court – Dispossessory Division

• Address: 185 Central Avenue SW, Suite TG-100, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Handles many eviction cases for Fulton County properties

Tenant-Focused Legal Help

Atlanta residents often turn to:

• Atlanta Legal Aid Society – for low-income tenants in certain counties
• Housing advocates and nonprofit organizations that can’t always represent you in court but may offer workshops and help understanding your rights

Act quickly in housing cases. Eviction timelines in Georgia are often short, and missing a court date can lead to a quick judgment against you.

Civil Rights and Discrimination Issues

If you believe you’ve faced discrimination in housing, employment, or public accommodations in Atlanta, you may have several routes:

Employment Discrimination

• Many workers file with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) for discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40+), disability, or genetic information.
• Cases often involve employers with a minimum number of employees as required by law.

EEOC – Atlanta District Office

• Address: 100 Alabama Street SW, Suite 4R30, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Phone (main line, often automated menu): 1-800-669-4000

Housing Discrimination

If you believe a landlord, management company, bank, or real estate agent discriminated against you in housing, you may contact:

• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• Local fair housing organizations in the Atlanta area

Many people also consult with civil rights attorneys for guidance on whether to file a complaint or lawsuit.

Immigration Legal Help in Atlanta

Atlanta is home to a large and diverse immigrant community, and immigration law is federal, but local services and courts matter. Immigration detention, bond hearings, and removal (deportation) cases for people in Georgia often involve Atlanta-area immigration courts or facilities.

For immigration issues like:

• Visas and status changes
• Family-based petitions
• Removal (deportation) defense
• Asylum
• DACA and TPS-related questions

you can look for:

• Nonprofit immigration legal organizations in Atlanta that provide low-cost or sliding-scale services
• Private immigration attorneys based in Atlanta

Many nonprofits limit services to people under a certain income or with particular types of cases (for example, unaccompanied minors or survivors of crime or domestic violence).

Law School Clinics and Volunteer-Based Help

Atlanta-area law schools often operate legal clinics where law students, supervised by licensed attorneys, represent clients for free or reduced cost. Types of clinics vary by semester, but can include:

• Housing / landlord–tenant
• Criminal defense (usually misdemeanors or minor offenses)
• Child welfare or family law
• Tax law
• Small business / entrepreneurship

Clinics usually limit the number and type of cases they can accept, but they can be a good option if you qualify.

How to Find a Private Attorney in Atlanta

If you don’t qualify for free legal aid—or your issue isn’t covered—your next option is a private attorney. Atlanta has thousands of lawyers, from solo practitioners to large firms.

Attorney Referral Services

Bar associations often host lawyer referral services that help connect you with an attorney in a particular practice area. These services:

• Match you with a local Atlanta lawyer who handles your type of issue
• Sometimes offer reduced-rate initial consultations

You can also:

• Ask trusted friends, family, or community leaders for referrals
• Check whether a lawyer is licensed and in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia

Questions to Ask a Potential Lawyer

When you speak with an Atlanta attorney, consider asking:

• What types of cases do you handle most often?
• Have you handled cases in this specific court (for example, Fulton County Superior Court or Atlanta Municipal Court)?
• How do you charge—flat fee, hourly, or contingency?
• What upfront costs will I have (filing fees, expert witnesses, etc.)?
• How will we communicate—phone, email, client portal—and how often?

You are allowed to talk to more than one lawyer before deciding who to hire.

Self-Help, “Pro Se” Representation, and Limited-Scope Help

In Atlanta, many people go to court without a lawyer (“pro se”) because they can’t afford one or feel their case is straightforward. If you are considering this:

Where to Get Forms and Basic Guidance

• County Superior Court or Magistrate Court clerk’s offices – for official forms and filing information
• GeorgiaLegalAid.org and other Georgia-focused legal information sites – for how-to guides and checklists

Clerks cannot give legal advice, but can often explain:

• Office hours and filing deadlines
• Basic filing fees and payment options
• Which forms are required for which type of case

Limited-Scope or Unbundled Legal Services

Some Atlanta attorneys offer limited services, such as:

• Reviewing your documents before you file
• Coaching you for a hearing
• Drafting specific motions or pleadings

This can cost less than full representation while still giving you professional input on key parts of your case.

Key Atlanta Legal Institutions at a Glance

Here is a quick reference to major Atlanta-area legal institutions that many residents encounter:

Always verify current addresses and hours before visiting, as buildings and office locations can occasionally change.

Practical Tips for Getting Legal Help in Atlanta

Here are some Atlanta-specific, practical steps you can take right away:

1. Gather your documents

   • Court papers, leases, contracts, police reports, pay stubs, emails, texts, photos, and any letters you’ve received.
   • Organize them by date; this helps both legal aid staff and private attorneys quickly understand your situation.

2. Know your deadlines

   • Many Georgia legal issues (especially evictions, garnishments, and appeals) have short time windows to respond.
   • If you’re unsure, contact a legal aid organization or attorney as soon as you receive paperwork.

3. Call before you go

   • Many Atlanta legal services now use phone or online intake instead of walk-ins.
   • Ask what you need to bring, whether they handle your type of case, and what the income/eligibility requirements are.

4. Be honest and clear

   • When speaking with any legal help provider, be straightforward about what happened, your goals, and your financial situation.
   • This allows them to correctly assess your case and eligibility.

5. Plan for transportation and time

   • Downtown Atlanta courts (around Pryor Street, Central Avenue, and Garnett Street) can be busy, with limited parking.
   • MARTA trains and buses stop near many courts and legal aid offices; planning ahead can reduce stress on your court date.

If you’re in Atlanta and need legal help, you are not alone. Whether you qualify for free legal aid, choose a private attorney, or use self-help tools with limited assistance, the city offers multiple paths to get informed, take action, and navigate the local court system more confidently.