If you live in Atlanta or metro-Atlanta and can’t afford a private lawyer, there are trusted nonprofit and volunteer-lawyer programs ready to help. This guide shows where to turn — what kinds of cases legal aid covers, how to contact them, and how to prepare when you call.
Major Legal Aid Organizations in Atlanta
(Metro-Atlanta Office)
- Who they help: Low-income people and families in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton, and nearby counties. (atlantalegalaid.org)
- What cases they take: Civil-law matters including housing and tenant issues (eviction, unsafe housing), public benefits, consumer/debt problems, family law (custody, divorce, domestic violence), elder and disability law, health-related legal issues, and more.
- How to contact: Main office: 54 Ellis St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30303. Phone: 404-524-5811 (for Fulton/metro-Atlanta intake).
(AVLF)
- Who they help: Low-income or otherwise qualifying individuals in Atlanta who need civil legal help but may not qualify for full legal aid. (avlf.org)
- What they handle: Landlord/tenant & eviction defense, housing issues, domestic violence & protective orders, family-law problems, unpaid wages or employment issues, guardian/estate matters, small claims or debt/consumer issues.
- How to contact: Phone: 404-521-0790 (intake Monday–Thursday mornings). If eligible, they schedule an in-person interview with a volunteer attorney.
Free or Low-Cost Clinics & Other Support Services
- Self-Help Resources via — Offers plain-language legal information, guides, and links to additional resources for issues like housing, benefits, family law, debt, health, and more. Good starting point for basic legal-info or DIY paperwork. (georgialegalaid.org)
- Special-purpose and Pro Bono Clinics — Through AVLF, local courthouses, or legal-aid partnerships: walk-in help, legal-advice clinics, short-term representation. Good for eviction responses, protective-order filings, or other civil matters when you can’t afford full representation.
- Senior Legal Help via (for age 60+) — Special program under Atlanta Legal Aid for older adults facing civil-law problems (housing, benefits, elder rights, consumer issues). Phone: 404-389-9992.
What Legal Aid in Atlanta Usually Doesn’t Handle
- Criminal defense: The organizations listed focus on civil legal issues (housing, family law, consumer, benefits), not defense for criminal charges.
- Large-scale commercial/business litigation: Free aid is intended for individuals and families, not corporate or complex business disputes.
- Guarantee of representation: Because demand is high and resources limited, eligible clients may receive advice, paperwork help, or referrals instead of full representation — especially for non-urgent or less severe matters.
Emergency & Urgent Legal Help in Atlanta
If you face urgent problems — eviction, risk of losing housing, unsafe living conditions, domestic violence or protective-order needs, benefit cut-offs, or wage-theft — these resources are good to contact quickly:
- Call Atlanta Legal Aid Society immediately at 404-524-5811 — eligible urgent housing, benefits, and safety-related civil matters may be taken sooner.
- Contact AVLF via 404-521-0790 — for eviction defense, tenant/housing disputes, protective orders, wage claims, and other urgent civil-law issues.
- Use GeorgiaLegalAid.org resources — self-help guides and forms can help you act fast if you need to file paperwork or respond quickly to housing or debt threats.
How to Prepare Before You Call for Help in Atlanta
- Have proof of income or public-benefit status ready — pay stubs, benefit letters, Social Security or disability, etc., to show you qualify for low-income aid.
- Gather documents related to your legal issue — e.g. lease/rental agreement, eviction or landlord notices, letters from agencies, debt or collection notices, court papers, medical or health-insurance letters, benefit-denial letters, etc.
- Household info — number of people in household, ages, relationships, address; and any special circumstances (disability, veteran status, elderly) — helps assess eligibility and priority.
- If there’s a deadline — eviction date, utility shut-off, benefit cut-off, court date — write it down and tell intake staff when you call. Urgency often matters.
- Prepare a clear, simple summary of what happened: when, who was involved, what changed, and what outcome you want (housing, benefits, protection, debt relief, etc.). Clear description makes it easier for staff to evaluate your case quickly.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Volunteer or modest-means attorneys via AVLF or the Lawyer Referral Service — They may offer low-cost or sliding-scale help for civil matters when free aid isn’t available. (Atlanta Bar Association referral: see atlantabar.org)
- Self-help with court forms & resources via GeorgiaLegalAid.org or national resources like — Useful if you must represent yourself (housing, eviction responses, simple consumer/debt, benefit appeals, etc.).
- Specialized aid for seniors or disabled persons via Georgia Senior Legal Aid — Even if you don’t qualify for full representation, you may get advice or limited services through senior-focused programs.
Key Takeaways
- Atlanta has a strong civil-legal aid infrastructure — led by Atlanta Legal Aid Society and Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation — covering many common legal needs for low-income or vulnerable residents.
- If you are facing urgent problems like eviction, housing instability, domestic violence, benefit loss, or debt collection — it’s worth calling. You may qualify for free help or at least free advice or referral.
- If full representation isn’t available — there are still viable options: self-help tools, pro bono or modest-means attorneys, or specialized senior/ disability-aid programs can provide useful support or guidance.
- Before you call: gather income information, relevant documents, household info, deadlines, and a clear summary — that makes it easier for legal-aid staff to assess quickly and help you more effectively.