About Our Free Legal Aid Program

Our Free Legal Aid Program is dedicated to providing accessible, no-cost legal assistance to residents of the Alapaha Judicial Circuit, which includes Berrien, Cook, Lanier, Clinch, and Atkinson counties. Through regularly scheduled meetings, staffed by experienced legal professionals, we offer help with uncontested civil matters such as landlord-tenant issues, simple wills, uncontested divorces, and other non-criminal legal needs.

The program is walk-in friendly—no appointment is required—so individuals can receive help on the same day. Our goal is to remove barriers to justice by offering guidance, document preparation, and resources to those who may not otherwise be able to afford legal services. These events are open exclusively to residents of the Alapaha Judicial Circuit, ensuring that our communities have local, tailored support for their legal concerns.

To help expedite the intake process, please complete and submit the Legal Aid Intake Packet below prior to attending a Legal Aid meeting. The packet includes both the Legal Aid Intake Form and the Determination of Indigency Affidavit. If you are unable to complete the packet in advance, copies will be available at the meeting.

Visit us on Facebook at Alapaha Legal Aid for updates, announcements, and community resources.

Upcoming Legal Aid Meetings

August 25, 2026 Lanier County Legal Aid Meeting

1:00 PM – 5:00 Pm

Lanier County Public Library
18 S. Valdosta Road
Lakeland, GA 31635

September 14, 2026 Berrien County Legal Aid Meeting

1:00 PM – 5:00 Pm

Carie Dorsey Perry Memorial Library
315 W. Marion Avenue
Nashville, GA 31639

September 21, 2026 Cook County Legal Aid Meeting

1:00 PM – 5:00 Pm

Cook County Public Library
213 E. Second St.
Adel, GA 31620

Please complete the Legal Intake Packet prior to your meeting.

You can fill in the packet below or scroll to the bottom of the page to download a printable copy.

Select County *

Legal Aid Meeting Date

Section 1. Legal Intake Form

Alapaha Circuit Legal Aid Intake Form

1. Your Information

Full Legal Name *

Birth Date *

Gender

Street Address *

City *

Zip Code *

Home Phone

Work Phone

Cell Phone *

Are Messages Ok at these numbers? *

Email Address *

Occupation

Do you have a lawyer? If so, who: *

Do you make less than $26,500 per year? *

Do you receive any form of Income Assistance? *

Please provide a brief summary of the legal issue for which you are seeking advice: *

Are there any other legal issues pending in court related to those listed above? (criminal or civil) If yes please provde a brief summary *

How did you learn about us? *

2. Opposing Party Information - (If Applicable)

Opposing Party Full Legal Name

Opposing Party Birth Date

Opposing Party Gender

Opposing Party Street Address

Opposing Party City

Opposing Party Zip Code

Opposing Party Home Phone

Opposing Party Work Phone

Opposing Party Cell Phone

What is your relationship with this parent/person?

If a former partner, how long have you lived together?

Separation Date:

Marriage Date:

Divorce Date:

Have you tried mediation to work out your current differences?

If yes, when did you try mediation?

Do you have a court order or separation agreement?

If yes, in which county is it filed?

Do you feel there is an immediate risk of violence in your family?

Has the other person ever caused you to be concerned for your own safety or your children's safety?

Notes:

Are there any outstanding protection orders (restraining orders, peace bonds, probation or bail orders)?

3. Dependents/Children - (If Applicable)

List the number of all dependents in household:

Of that number, how many are under 18?

Have you talked with your children about the current situation? (If you have more than one child, please mark your answers for the oldest child)

4. Notes from Aid
NOTE: Please do not fill this out. This is only for your legal aid advisor.

5. Acknowledgments

Please check the boxes below to show you have read the following paragraphs:

Section 2. Determination of Indigency Affidavit

What is your marital status? *

Is your action, or do you reside, in the Circuit (Atkinson, Berrien, Clinch, Cook, or Lanier County)? *

To be eligible for the Alapaha Judicial Circuit Legal Aid Program, you must reside within the Alapaha Judicial Circuit (Atkinson, Berrien, Clinch, Cook, or Lanier County) or have a legal matter pending in one of those counties. If you do not meet either of these requirements, you are not eligible to receive services through the Alapaha Judicial Circuit Legal Aid Program. *

How many people live in your home? *

Do you have dependents that you support that do not live in your home? *

If yes, how many? *

What is your total household income per month? *

What is the value of the assets you have, if any? This would include ALL real estate, automobiles, bank accounts and other property even if jointly held with someone else. *

What is the total amount of financial liabilities that you have? This would include any loans, liens and all other financial obligations you may have. *

Do you believe yourself to be indigent? *

Indigent

The term "indigent" means that you do not have an income greater than 100% of the federal poverty guideline.

Federal Poverty Guideline 2026

100%

Household size	$ per month
1	$1,330.00
2	$1,803.33
3	$2,276.67
4	$2,750.00
5	$3,223.33
6	$3,693.67
7	$4,170.00
8	$4,643.33
9	$5,116.67
10	$5,590.00

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If you prefer, you may click the link below to download a printable version of the form. Completed paper forms should be emailed to alapahalegalaid@gmail.com
Click Here to Download the Legal Aid Intake Packet