Legal Aid
How To Apply For Legal Aid
By Sky Joe
Nowadays, legal aid is gaining popularity as it becomes more accessible to the man on the street. This is because there is a nationwide network of legal aid offices (or legal services) that receive federal funds to provide free legal help to low-income people of all ages. For example, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is a quasi-governmental entity that receives an annual funding from the U.S. Congress and helps to support more than 300 legal aid programs throughout the country. LSC legal aid programs are designed to provide free legal services to persons with low incomes, including many older persons.
With such legal aid programs in place, it has definitely makes it more convenient for the eligible ones to apply for Legal Aid. If you think that you are in need of legal aid, you can simply go to your nearest local legal aid office and speak to a staff person. However, it is recommended that you call the office beforehand to find out the best time to be there. This is because some offices may give you an appointment date while others may simply allow you to queue for your turn.
If you are eligible or think you are eligible for legal aid, you should apply as soon as possible. This is because it takes time for your application to be examined and approved. When your application is approved, you will have to produce your legal aid certificate to the lawyer of your choice. Though there are rules and guidelines to approve such applications, the Legal Aid plan has the "right" to change the rules at any time and this is not rare. Budget constraints, political considerations and the women's rights movement have enormous impact on how legal aid officials conduct themselves and on deciding who gets legal aid and who does not. For instance, it is usually the mothers that get legal aid for family law matters while their male counterparts will not be entitled to such in the same circumstances.
To prevent making a wasteful trip, you should prepare the following items and bring them along with you to the local legal aid office:
1. Some form of identification such as your social insurance card, driver's licenser. birth certificate or landed immigrant papers.
2. Any documents relating to your case, such as court summons or separation agreements
3. Proof of income (3-4 recent pay stubs, welfare cheque stubs or employment insurance statements)
4. Proof of monthly expenses and bills (rent receipt, mortgage payment, car payment bills, canceled cheques statements, credit card statements, car insurance receipts)
5. Title deeds for your assets or property.
Applying for legal aid will not be too difficult if you have a basic understanding of the different legal aid programs available and the correct procedure to follow. In addition, it is important that you have the relevant documents and statements when asked to produce them. This will definitely helped to hasten the process of getting the legal assistance that you required and solve your legal problems in a much shorter time.
For more information on getting free legal aid, legal aid services or legal aid lawyer, please visit http://legal-aid.mygeneralknowledge.com.
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10 Comments Add yours
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January 19, 2011
2:14 pm
legal aid ?
how much can you earn before you cant get legal aid how do you get it and how much do you have to be on to get it ? please help !
it is because my husband was going to adopt my son but when my sons bilogcal father found out he as applied for access once a week because his mum has pushed him to do it !
he hasnt been around since my son was 1 he is now 6 and he is also autistic and knows my husband as daddy
he is a wonderful dad and could not have anyone better hes so lovely with my son they both love each other to bits .
the real father used to hit us both and do drugs can anyone tell us are our chances good ?
we really ned help its breaking our hearts please if you can help we are in the uk if this helps
January 20, 2011
11:40 am
It is not rationed in any way. Some people seem to be perpetually on legal aid as problems mushroom. If you have any questions about legal aid, you can address them to the Legal Services Commission. http://www.legalservices.gov.uk/public.asp
January 20, 2011
1:30 pm
I cant say I’ve ever heard of a client interviewing a solicitor, as one answer suggests!! Legal aid is just one way of funding your legal representation. It is only available for certain types of work, and it is means tested against your income and capital. Alternative methods of funding include CFAs (“no win-no fee”) agreements, or various different insurance products, it all depends what you need legal representation for.
As for legal aid, the solicitor will still be paid, but payment is made by the governement rather than the client. The solicitor will still represent you to exactly the same standard as a privately paying client. However, the level of service may be less satisfactory. For example, for a divorce, a privately-paying client would be charged £500. In a publicly-funded divorce, the solicitor will be paid £94!! This means that the solicitor simply cannot afford to expend as much time writing and speaking to you.
January 20, 2011
2:49 pm
There are two types of legal aid. One is provided for by the county – public defenders and will only be given if you meet the income standards set by the county (it is different for each county, but usually is some % of the federal poverty level. I have seen it go as high as 250% of the poverty level – that is for free services). If you do not qualify for free services they will use a sliding scale as to how much you will be charged. However, public defenders are only provided for criminal offenses (when you are arrested).
I’m going to assume you are looking for legal aid for a private civil matter. In the private context, there are private legal aid organizations – such as Prairie State Legal Services, Inc. in Illinois, that will review/take your case if you meet their eligibility requirements (low-income). But, there is a high demand for such services and even if you qualify, they may not be able to take you as a client. As for if you are eligible, you are going to have to contact them directly, each legal aid organization has their own critiera. Again, they will usually have a sliding scale in place if you do not qualify for free services and their full rates are probably lower then a private attorney.
Your first step should be to call a legal help line – usually provided by the same legal aid organizations. They will instruct you as to the best course of action to take. You can do an internet search under “legal aid organizations” for your state. Hope this helps.
January 21, 2011
2:55 am
Volunteer work is generally entered below your work experience and special skills or certifications.
Don’t get “creative” just list what you did that was job/business-like in nature.
HR isn’t completely stupid and they see through fluff really easy.
January 21, 2011
10:02 am
Is Legal aid when using a solicitor effective?
I need to hire a solicitor and my funds are limited. If I hire a solicitor that has legal aid would my solicitor work for me as hard and effectively as a paid solicitor?
Would they fight for my rights just quickly with legal aid compared to a paid solicitor?
January 21, 2011
10:23 am
How many times can a person get legal aid?
I got legal aid for a problem with my house but now need legal aid again for a completely separate issue regarding access to my children. Is there a limit to the amount of times you can get legal aid? I’m worried I won’t get it because I’ve already had it once.
January 21, 2011
7:37 pm
How does legal aid work who can qualify for legal aid, can you be on state benefits and get legal aid?
Can you get legal aid if you own a property in the United Kingdom?
January 21, 2011
7:43 pm
normally it is on a sliding fee scale, the less money you have, the less you pay. you have to fill out financial documents to see if you qualify and they will tell you from that what you will be charged , if anything
January 21, 2011
8:09 pm
How would you describe volunteering with community legal aid on a resume description?
Updating my resume, and having trouble describing volunteering with legal aid in a creative way. Any suggestions?