Attorney Althea DeBarr-Johnson

Licensed Georgia & Pennsylvania Bar, Probate, Estate Planning & Guardian/Conservator Attorney

• Over 22 Years of Experience in the areas of Probate, Estate Planning and Guardianship/Conservatorship Law. Serving as Court appointed and guardian ad litem in the Fulton County Probate Court.
• Served as County Conservator and Ad-Hoc Judge.
• Specializes in Probate and Guardianship Litigation with a specialization in Mediation and Conflict Resolution.

Althea DeBarr-Johnson is a Probate, Estate Planning and Fiduciary Attorney. DeBarr-Johnson established her private law practice in January, 1997 and continues to specialize in these areas in addition to Guardianship and Conservatorship Law. She is currently licensed to practice through the State Bar of Georgia and the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. She is also licensed in the State of Pennsylvania.

Ms. DeBarr-Johnson has a diversified experience as a former ad hoc judge for the Dekalb County Recorder’s Court, where she adjudicated traffic and county ordinance violations. She is a Certified Mediator, serving as a mediator between parties in various legal matters needing such intervention to reach agreements. She utilizes this array of diverse experiences to assist in her handling of real life matters surrounding the areas of Probate and Estate Planning.

In addition to running her law practice Ms. DeBarr-Johnson serves as Guardian Ad Litem and Court Appointed Attorney for Fulton County Probate Court in Adult and Minor Guardianship matters. She has over 22 years of experience navigating through family conflicts, elder matters and mental illness issues.

Using her education and extensive experience in the legal field, DeBarr-Johnson accepted a position as adjunct professor of law for Saint Leo College in Fort McPherson, Georgia. She served in this role from February 1990 to July 1991, where she taught courses in business, constitutional and criminal law. From August 1983 to November 1986, her role was that of a law clerk for Judge Levan Gordon, Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In this position, she drafted judicial opinions, researched, analyzed and interpreted pertinent statutes, judicial decisions, legal articles and codes.

DeBarr-Johnson has long held an interest in history, the function and operation of government and social change. Her desire for a career that would allow her to affect each of these areas led her to choose law as her profession. After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina in 1978, she was accepted at the prestigious and historic Howard University School of Law, based in Washington, D.C. She obtained her Juris from that institution in 1981.

DeBarr-Johnson’s professional affiliations include membership in the State Bar of Georgia Fiduciary Law section. Her civic affiliations include a board member of the historic Butler Street Community Development Corporation, formerly the Butler Street YMCA, and United ‘74, Inc in Florence, South Carolina. She was a chartered member of “Your Small Business” Toastmasters International., Inc., Atlanta, Georgia. She was a former board member of the APEX Museum in Atlanta and DeKalb County Council on Literacy.

Presently, DeBarr-Johnson is the co-host with Dr. Floran Syler, CPA of an internet radio show called “Mind Your Business Radio” on TalkZone.com. The mission of MYB Radio is to educate people of color and women about the financial and legal aspects of business and personal finances. She has been an occasional guest on WAOK-AM, a local radio station in Atlanta, on the “Solutions & Remedies with Rob Wilson” show where she discussed with the host, wills and trusts, guardianships, wealth protection, and the administration of estates. Attorney Johnson frequently host free estate planning seminars to the community.

DeBarr-Johnson is married to Earl Johnson. She and her husband enjoy traveling, mentoring young people and socializing with family and friends.

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Affiliations and Associations:

• State Bar of Georgia Fiduciary Law
• Board Member of the Dekalb County Council on Literacy
• Board Member of the Historic Butler Street Community Development Corporation