Roswell residents who need protection from domestic violence can access free legal help through Fulton County Superior Court's Family Division. The division handled more than 12,000 cases in 2025.

The court announced Oct. 1 that its One Stop Office and a mobile legal advocacy van are available to all Fulton County residents during Domestic Violence Awareness Month and year-round.

The Family Division, which the court describes as the only one of its kind in Georgia, handles divorce, custody, child support, protective orders and related matters. Its One Stop Office, at 136 Pryor St. in Atlanta, is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Survivors can also call 404-613-0505.

Mobile van serves Fulton County survivors

Through a partnership with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation (AVLF), the court operates the Standing with Survivors Mobile Advocacy van. The van meets people at grocery stores, parking lots and outreach events across Fulton County to help them navigate protective orders, understand their rights and connect to the court virtually.

The program helped nearly 600 people in 2025. The court said that number is on track to increase by the end of 2026.

Fulton County Manager Dick Anderson and Superior Court Judge Shukura L. Ingram recently joined the van at a stop in downtown Atlanta. The van operates Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and according to the City of Atlanta's ATL311 service page, the unit is based on Atlanta's Westside but can respond anywhere in the county.

Filing a protective order

Any Fulton County resident can file for a Temporary Protective Order (TPO) at the Family Division, provided the respondent also lives in Fulton County. TPO paperwork is accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hearings are held at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. A valid ID is required.

Survivors referred by the One Stop Office can also access the Safe Families Office inside the Fulton County Courthouse. That clinic, run by AVLF and the Partnership Against Domestic Violence, offers free guidance on protective orders. It can be reached at 404-612-4324.

Wear Purple Day

The court is asking community members to wear purple on Thursday, Oct. 15, for Wear Purple Day. Family Division staff plan to wear purple Friday, Oct. 16.

Anyone in immediate danger should call 911. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233.