Atlanta, GA asked in Family Law and Child Custody for Georgia

Q: How do I try to find a lawyer who might take my case pro bono? Should I just call Family law attorneys and ask?

I really need a lawyer for this legitimization case. We went to court a couple of days ago for the first time and I felt so lost and stupid in there alone. The judge wouldn't even let me speak and basically was on their side...that's how it came across to me. I wanted to run out that court room get my baby and leave the state. The baliff and his own attorney had to ask him several times to leave me alone, he got aggressive in the hall right before court. His own attorney told him to go sit on the other side of room because he just kept talking and threatening me in court. Please if anyone is reading this and can help me or knows someone who will help me, please let me know. I can make payments I just can't pay it all at one time. I am a single mom and I don't get benefits from the state except Medicaid for my 4 yr old and that's it. I do work a full time job, I just don't make a lot. I can't let him win just because he has a lawyer. He has been to jail for family and domestic violence.

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2 Lawyer Answers
Regina Irene Edwards
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Answered

A: Call Atlanta Legal Aid. Custody cases are difficult and time intensive, and it's hard to ask a stranger to provide a valuable service for free. Legal aid is free and the sometimes will assist victims of domestic violence.

A: There are income guidelines for legal aide services and sometimes a waiting list to accept cases. If you can't get a legal aide service to take your case you should contact some domestic attorneys and see if they will work with you and accept payments. Sometimes if you can get a lump sum together for a retainer that you can afford, some attorneys will allow payments as long as you make those payments on time. Try and see what you can work out before assuming you can't afford a lawyer. But I would urge you to hire someone as soon as possible because there are deadlines within cases for when things need to be done and you want your attorney to have time to work on your case before it's scheduled for trial.

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