brookly family legal aid when you can not afford a lawyer

by Prof. Russ Batz 6 min read

LawHelpNY.org provides legal information for New Yorkers who cannot afford a lawyer. LawHelpNY lists more than 600 free legal service projects and organizations with their contact and intake information, and over 4,000 Know Your Rights and self-help resources covering 16 areas of law.

Can I get legal aid but canā€™t afford a private lawyer?

I Donā€™t Qualify For Legal Aid But Canā€™t Afford A Private Lawyer! It is not uncommon for a situation to arise whereby one party to Family Law proceedings is unable to qualify for a grant of Legal Aid funding but also cannot quite afford the ā€˜conciergeā€™ service of a private lawyer.

Are you unable to afford a family law lawyer?

It is not uncommon for a situation to arise whereby one party to Family Law proceedings is unable to qualify for a grant of Legal Aid funding but also cannot quite afford the ā€˜conciergeā€™ service of a private lawyer. If you fall into this grey zone, it can feel like you are trapped in limbo with nowhere to go. This is where we come in!

What happens if you can't afford legal assistance?

In a criminal proceeding, if you can't afford legal assistance, a court will appoint an attorney for you. In a civil case, generally described as a dispute between two private parties, to get legal representation, you have to get creative.

Where can I get free legal advice or cheap legal assistance?

Contact the city courthouse. Seek free lawyer consultations. Look to legal aid societies. Visit a law school. Contact your county or state bar association. Go to small claims court. Depending on your situation, you can employ a variety of strategies to get free legal advice or cheap legal assistance. Read on for more information on each option.

What is it called when you can't afford a lawyer?

When a court decides someone is "indigent" - with few assets and no funds to pay an attorney - generally either a private lawyer will be appointed by the court and paid with county funds, or a public defender program will be appointed to represent the person.

Who qualifies for legal aid in New York?

2021 Federal Poverty Level Guidelines based on Family Size and Annual IncomeFamily Size100%125%1$12,880$16,1002$17,420$21,7753$21,960$27,4504$26,500$33,1252 more rows

How do I find a pro bono lawyer in NY?

Please visit https://www.nypirg.org/sccac/ or call (800) 566-5020 and leave a message if you need assistance.

How can I get a free divorce in NYC?

New York City Divorce Legal Aid & Pro Bono ServicesCity Bar Justice Center. (212) 382-6600. ... NOW NYC Service Fund. ... Gay Men's Health Crisis Legal Services & Advocacy Dept. ... The Door 's Legal Services Center. ... Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) ... Safe Horizon. ... New York County Lawyers' Association. ... Her Justice.More items...

How can I get free legal help in NYC?

Toll Free: 1-877-777-6152. Legal Services NYC: Legal Services NYC Access Line serves low income residents of NYC and is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm. Call 917-661-4500 to speak to an intake officer in any language.

How do I get a free lawyer in NYC?

The City Bar Justice Center's free Legal Hotline offers legal information, advice, referrals, and in some instances, brief services, to low-income New Yorkers. The Legal Hotline phone number is: 212-626-7383.

How do pro bono lawyers get paid?

A lawyer who works pro bono does not get paid for the commitment on the case. To cover the loss of income, lawyers often cover the pro bono cases through charges to paying clients. Others work on a ā€œno win, no feeā€ basis. They only get paid if they win the case.

What is the meaning of pro bono publico?

for the public goodThe term "pro bono," which is short for pro bono publico, is a Latin term that means "for the public good." Although the term is used in different contexts to mean ā€œthe offering of free services,ā€ it has a very specific meaning to those in the legal profession.

How do I sue someone in small claims court in NY?

To begin an action in Small Claims Court, a person, or someone acting on his or her behalf, must come to the Small Claims Court Clerk's office in the proper county and fill out a statement of claim. To find out where the clerk's office is located in your county, click on Locations.

How can I get a quick divorce in NY?

In your uncontested divorce, the easiest way to speed your divorce through the court is for the defendant to waive service by signing an Affidavit of Defendant. If your spouse refuses to sign the affidavit, you will have to hire a process server to deliver a copy of the summons and complaint.

Can I get a divorce without a lawyer NYC?

If you and your spouse have resolved all financial and parenting issues, and you do not have a lawyer, you can use the free Uncontested Divorce Forms Packet. You must first read the Uncontested Divorce Forms Packet Instructions before trying to complete the process on your own.

How long do you have to be separated before you can file for divorce in NY?

one yearHow long do you have to be separated before you can file for divorce in NY? The grounds in which you file for divorce in New York determine how long you have to be separated from your spouse before filing. For a ā€œno-faultā€ divorce, you must be separated from your spouse for at least one year.

Federally Funded Programs

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Federal grants fund a national network of legal service officesproviding free legal help in civil cases to low-income people. Staff attorneys and experienced paralegals can help with divorce, landlord-tenant, subsidized housing, public assistance, Social Security, and unemployment cases. These lawyers may also knā€¦
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Charitable Organizations Serving Particular Populations

  • Depending what is available in your area, you may find a nonprofit (charitable) organization with lawyers or legal assistants on staff, dedicated to providing low-cost legal services to particular populations. For example, various nonprofits serve senior citizens, immigrants and refugees, disabled or mentally challenged persons, artists youth, battered women, low-income tenants, anā€¦
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Pro Bono Programs and Bar Associations

  • Lawyers' bar associations exist at the state and local levels, and often provide low-cost or no-cost legal resources to litigants. Many bar associations have pro bono programs staffed by attorneys who've agreed to devote a share of their time to providing free legal representation to eligible clients. You may qualify based on income or other factors, like having AIDS, being an abused spā€¦
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Law School Clinics

  • Many U.S. law schools have clinical programs that are run by law professors and staffed by law students. These clinics give the students academic credit, exposing them to real-world legal issues under professional supervision. Clinics typically offer free legal services to individuals in the community. Some law schools have very standard clinics, like criminal defense or housing reā€¦
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Courthouse Facilitators

  • Increasingly, county courthouses have facilitators on staff to help people process their legal claims. Check with your local bar association or courthouse to see what's available. A courthouse facilitator can at least help you figure out where you should file your paperwork and walk you through the process of getting your paperwork to the right people within the court system.
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Low-Cost Legal Programs

  • It's easy to have too much income to qualify for legal services, yet still be unable to afford a private attorney. There are programs to help people who fall into this group. Telephone hotlines, for example, may charge by the minute. Or, look for sliding-fee programs to get you the advice and representation you need at the lowest price possible. The New York City Bar Association, for exaā€¦
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