Lawyer Directory & Resources.

Georgia Legal Aid provides free civil legal services to low-income residents.

• georgialegalaid.org
• Atlanta Legal Aid — (404) 524-5811
• Georgia Legal Services Program: 1-833-457-7529 (outside Atlanta metro)

The State Bar of Georgia provides lawyer referral and pro bono resources.

• gabar.org — Legal Aid/Pro Bono Resource Center
• Georgia Free Legal Answers — free online Q&A for low-income

Georgia Courts provides a self-help portal with standardized forms:

• Georgia Courts self-help portal
• Divorce/custody forms
• Parenting Plan form (required by O.C.G.A. § 19-9-1)
• Child Support Worksheet (from calculator)
• Financial Affidavit

The Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) handles child support enforcement and modification.

• Child Support Calculator
• childsupport.georgia.gov
• Services: establish paternity, enforce support, modify orders
• SB 454 (effective Jan 2026): mandatory parenting time adjustment, low-income adjustment
• 2-year waiting period for modification (O.C.G.A. § 19-6-15(k))
• 15% income change qualifies as substantial change

Critical for unmarried fathers: In Georgia, paternity alone does NOT give you custody or visitation rights. You must legitimate the child.

• File a Petition for Legitimation in Superior Court (O.C.G.A. § 19-7-22)
• Can include request for custody, visitation, and name change
• Can be done via: (1) voluntary acknowledgment + legitimation form, (2) court petition
• Do this BEFORE filing for custody — the court cannot grant custody to an unlegitimated father

Establish paternity through:

• Paternity Acknowledgment (PA) Form — O.C.G.A. § 19-7-46.1, sign at hospital or DCSS
• 60-day rescission period — either parent can rescind within 60 days
• After 60 days, can only challenge for fraud, duress, or material mistake
• Genetic testing — available through DCSS
• Remember: Paternity ≠ custody rights in GA. You still need legitimation.

• Georgia DV Hotline: 1-800-33-HAVEN (1-800-334-2836) — 24/7
• Georgia Coalition Against DV (GCADV)
• FVPO filing: FREE at Superior Court. File in county where respondent resides.
• Ex parte TPO valid 30 days, final order up to 12 months (renewable to 3 years)

• Statewide hotline: 1-855-GACHILD (1-855-422-4453) — 24/7
• Mandated reporters must report within 24 hours (O.C.G.A. § 19-7-5)
• Contact your county DFCS office
• DFCS information

Georgia requires a Parenting Plan for all custody actions under O.C.G.A. § 19-9-1. Some counties may require parenting classes or mediation — check with your local Superior Court.