Legal Services Corporation (LSC) – Find legal help for low-income individuals and families. Legal advice is often the only lifeline available to people facing life-changing consequences, such as losing their homes, jobs or custody of their children. For example, research has shown that the provision of legal services «significantly reduces the incidence of family violence.» The form of assistance depends on the nature of the legal problem the client is facing. Legal aid lawyers represent clients in a variety of matters outside of court, litigate before the courts on their behalf, and often conduct complex litigation seeking systemic change that affects many people facing similar circumstances. — Participation in focus groups — Access to IICLE(R) online library — Revision of legal articles The pro bono support of private lawyers is an invaluable addition to the legal aid program services provided by staff. Pro bono practice is quickly institutionalized in private companies and corporate legal departments. However, the unmet need for civil legal aid is so great that only transformative changes in the provision of special legal aid structures in the United States will enable that country to provide access to justice for all. For more information on our Legal Advice Lines, click on our Legal Lines tab at the top of the page or call: 208-746-7541 during admission hours (see above). The total amount allocated to the provision of civil legal assistance in the United States is approximately $1.345 billion. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is the largest funder of legal aid programs in the United States, providing about one-quarter of these funds.
LSC is a government-funded non-profit organization that awards scholarships to 134 scholars nationwide. With this federal funding, recipients must meet certain restrictions on advocacy and client eligibility that do not apply to many other sources of civil legal aid funding. NLADA played a leading role in the founding of the LSC in 1974 and continues to lobby Congress vigorously for funding. Immigration Legal Services – Search your state for free legal service providers. for persons in immigration procedures. In addition to asking friends and family for the name of a good lawyer or checking the phone book, you can find legal help online. Despite the dedicated advocacy of lawyers who often dedicate their careers to the needs of low-income individuals, programs are significantly underfunded and often forced to prioritize services to the most disadvantaged clients in a limited number of issues affecting their most pressing legal needs. Nevertheless, it is estimated that about half of those eligible for legal aid programmes will have to be turned back. Those who are served often receive brief advice and limited services. Rejected people rely on self-help and the provision of legal information, but even these resources are not available to everyone who needs them. Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. helps seniors and low-income people (60 and older) in Idaho solve civil law problems.
Our offices cannot assist in criminal cases. In order to determine if you qualify for assistance, our office needs to collect information about the specific legal issue you are asking for help with, as well as the income and assets of everyone living in your home. Everyone should have access to a lawyer to help them solve legal problems. Armed Forces Legal Assistance – Find nearby military facilities with legal aid offices. National Disability Rights Network – Find legal advice by state for people with disabilities. Seniors Care Locator – Enter your postal code to find local offices for legal and senior care organizations. — Track your progress on legal issues — Sign up for legal updates — Store legal reference information in your Law Information profile or tools to solve simple legal problems. LawHelp.org – Find free legal aid programs in your community. Here you will find information about your legal rights by topic, e.g.
housing, divorce, family allowances and debt collection. Pension Entitlement Centre – Get free legal help if you have problems with your pension, profit-sharing or retirement savings. Upsolve – Find free legal help to declare bankruptcy. Keep in mind that Chapter 7 bankruptcy information remains on your credit file for 10 years. This can make it difficult to get loans, buy a home, get life insurance, or get a job. Learn more about bankruptcy and other options for dealing with debt. Federally funded legal aid firms provide lawyers who are experts in helping low-income people with legal problems. Individual lawyers (also called lawyers) are experts in various areas of law.
Some lawyers specialize in a particular area of law, such as commercial, civil, criminal or juvenile law. You need to determine what type of lawyer is right for your legal situation. Once you`ve found a lawyer, ask them about their experience, areas of expertise, and questions such as «How would you handle my case?» and «What do you charge for your services/what is your fee structure?» Other sources of legal aid funding include private foundations and donations, government funding, often through state legal foundations, contracts and grants from federal, state, and local agencies, and scholarships. If you are allowed to speak to a lawyer, they will ask you questions about your legal problem. Please have all papers or documents regarding your problem handy when we contact you. It will also be useful if you have important information such as the names of the people involved in the problem and their addresses and phone numbers. ILAO members who are lawyers, law students, or navigators can: The State Bar Association funds legal aid organizations throughout the state that provide legal services to low- and middle-income Californians. These organizations focus on your issues, from custody and family law to disability rights and veterans` benefits. Free pro bono legal aid – Find free or low-income legal aid. If you are being abused and have questions about a legal issue, call our domestic violence counselling line. If you think you are in danger right now, call 911 immediately.
For tips on how to find the right lawyer, questions to ask when hiring a lawyer, and how to avoid fraud, check out our free legal information.