Updated 2007
The Law and Aging Guide is a comprehensive listing of the state-wide resources available to help older persons with law-related issues. Published by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, the Guide includes important contact numbers and addresses for legal assistance providers and other law-related services for the elderly. Many states now have toll-free senior legal hotlines. If you are an older person (or family member or trusted friend of an older person) who needs legal advice or assistance, the first step is to see if your state has a hotline, and, if it does, to call the hotline listed below.
[Note: If you are legal services provider or entity listed below, please email any changes of address or information to the ABA Commission at abaelderly@abanet.org , attn: Law and Aging Guide.]
Georgia
A. Senior Legal Hotline: (888) 257-9519 or (404) 657-9915
Georgia Senior Legal Hotline
Atlanta Legal Aid Society
2 Peachtree St.
Atlanta, GA 30303
B. Legal Assistance Developer
Natalie K. Thomas
Georgia Division of Aging Services
Department of Human Resources
2 Peachtree St., N.W., 9th Fl.
Atlanta, GA 30303-3142
(404) 657-5328; fax (404) 657-5285
C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Becky A. Kurtz
Georgia Division of Aging Services
2 Peachtree St., N.W., 9th Fl.
Atlanta, GA 30303-3142
(888) 454-5826; fax (404) 463-8384
Web: http://www.2.state.ga.us/departments/dhr/aging
D. Legal Services Funded Under the Older Americans Act
If your income falls within certain guidelines, you may be able to get legal help from the Legal Services or Legal Aid program in your area. In some communities, the Older Americans Act program serving older people and the legal aid program are one and the same. For a state-by-state listing of Legal Services programs, go to Web: http://www.lsc.gov
Atlanta Regional Commission AAA
(404) 364-2527; (404) 364-2564
Serves Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Fulton, Gwinnett Cherokee, Rockdale, Douglas, Henry and Fayette Counties (LTCO coverage for Fayette comes from the Chatt-Flint K which is Piedmont GLSP)
Central Savannah River (CSRA)
(706) 210-2018; (888) 922-4464
Serves Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren, Wilkes, McDuffie, Washington and Hancock Counties
Coastal
(912) 264-7363
Serves Bulloch, Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Long, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty and McIntosh Counties
Georgia Mountains Legacy Link, Inc.
(770) 538-2650
Serves Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White Counties
Heart of Georgia/Altamaha
(912) 367-3648
Serves Appling, Candler, Emanuel, Evans, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Tattnall, Toombs, Wayne, Bleckley, Dodge, Laurens, Montgomery, Telfair, Treutlen, Wheeler and Wilcox Counties
Lower Chattahoochee RDC
(706) 649-7468
Serves Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor and Webster Counties
Middle Georgia Area Agency on Aging
(478) 751-6160
Serves Baldwin, Bibb, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Monroe, Peach, Pulaski, Putnam, Twiggs and Wilkinson Counties
Northeast Georgia Area Agency on Aging
(706) 369-5650
Serves Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe and Walton Counties
Northwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging
(706) 295-6485
Serves Paulding Bartow, Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, Floyd, Gordon, Walker, Fannin, Gilmer, Haralson, Murray, Pickens, Whitfield and Polk Counties
Southern Crescent Area Agency on Aging
(706) 675-6721
Serves Butts, Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Lamar Meriwether, Pike, Spalding, Troup and Upson Counties
Southeast/SOUTH Georgia Area Agency on Aging
(912) 285-6097
Serves Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Pierce, Ware, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift and Turner Counties
Southwest Georgia Area Agency on Aging
(229) 432-1124
Serves Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas and Worth Counties
E. Bar Committees/Sections
State Bar of Georgia
Elder Law Section
Ruthann P. Lacey
104 Marietta St. NW, Suite 100
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
(404) 527-8700; (800) 334-6865; fax (404) 527-8717
Web: http://www.gabar.org/
The Committee, established in 1977, still retains some of the members who have outgrown the committee in terms of age and years of service because of its dedication to public service, which is what drew so many to the practice of elder law originally. The Committee has completed several projects, including publication of the Senior Citizens Handbook and three pamphlets entitled "Selecting a Nursing Home, "Selecting a Personal Care Home," and "Legal Rights of Nursing Home Residents." The Committee has conducted public education forums and media projects; drafted legislation for personal care, nursing home patient's rights, guardianship, and living wills; and has conducted elder abuse and domestic violence projects, advance directive trainings, and bank trainings on financial exploitations.
The Elder Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia promotes the development of substantive skills for attorneys working with older clients through continuing education programs. The section monitors and reports on legislation, case law, and regulations related to elder law, and undertakes studies of emerging topics in the field of elder law
F. National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- Georgia Chapter
None listed
G. Legal Assistance Projects Involving Private Attorneys
Many communities are also served by volunteer lawyer (pro bono) programs. These programs are usually sponsored by bar associations. Lawyers in private practice volunteer to help low-income persons free of charge. To find the pro bono program in your state, click on ,http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/probonodirectory.html
None listed
H. Law Schools and Legal Clinics
Law Schools
Emory University School of Law
1301 Clifton Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30322
(404) 727-6816
Web: http://www.law.emory.edu
University of Georgia School of Law
Athens, GA 30602
(706) 542-5191
Web: http://www.lawsch.uga.edu
Georgia State University
College of Law
P.O. Box 4037
Atlanta, GA 30302-4037
(404) 651-2048; fax (404) 651-2092
Mercer University School of Law
1021 Georgia Ave.
Macon, GA 31207-0001
(478) 301-2605; (800) 342-0841
I. Attorney General's Office
Thurbert E. Baker, Attorney General
40 Capitol Sq., S.W.
Atlanta, GA 30334-1300
(404) 656-3300
Web: www.ganet.org/ago
J. State Protection and Advocacy Agencies
Georgia Client Assistance Program
123 N. McDonough
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 373-3116; fax (404) 373-4110
Web: http://www.theombudsman.com/cap
Georgia Advocacy Office, Inc.
One Decatur Town Center
150 E. Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 430
Decatur, GA 30030
(404) 885-1234; (800) 537-2329; fax (404) 378-0031
Web: www.thegao.org
K. Dispute Resolution
Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution
Supreme Court of Georgia
800 The Hurt Bldg.
50 Hurt Plaza
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 527-8789
Web: http://www.state.ga.us/courts/adr/adrhome
Email: gaodr@mindspring.com
L. Other Projects
Senior Citizens Handbooks
Senior Citizen's Handbook: Law and Programs Affecting Senior Citizens in Georgia (7th edition, December 1999, published by the Elder Law Committee, Young Lawyers Division, State Bar of Georgia). This 168-page handbook covers 29 topics, plus a reference and referral section. Limited copies are available from the Division of Aging Services. Georgia public libraries and County Probate Courts have copies available.
Legal Rights of Nursing Home Residents (June 1999). This pamphlet outlines basic rights of nursing home residents, gives definitions of legal terminology, and provides tips from a consumer's standpoint as to potential legal issues. It also lists state and local resources. Limited copies are available from the State Bar of Georgia.
Selecting a Nursing Home: A Guide to Making an Informed Decision (1995, published by the Elder Law Committee, Young Lawyers Division, State Bar of Georgia). Copies available from the State Bar of Georgia.
Selecting A Personal Care Home (1998, published by the Elder Law Committee, Young Lawyers Division, State Bar of Georgia). Copies available from the State Bar of Georgia.
