Faq
A. Getting Help
1. What is legal aid (and what does LAET do)?
Legal aid is free civil legal help for people who can’t afford a lawyer. LAET helps with certain civil problems that affect safety, housing, family stability, and economic security. LAET’s ability to assist depends upon:
- The nature of the issue
- Eligibility (often based on income, but other factors can, at times, play a role, such as domestic violence and age
- Current caseloads for LAET attorneys
- Funding and funding type available
2. What do you mean by “funding and funding type available?”
There are times when LAET is funded for special projects, which allow us to temporarily provide services not part of our usual offering. These special funds are limited and often tied to a particular part of our region, which is why LAET may be able to assist with some situations one year but not the next.
3. Why can’t you just list the income requirements for assistance?
LAET receives income guidelines/requirements from the Legal Services Corporation. We do not have any control over these guidelines. Depending upon what grants are available to LAET, we can, at times, work around these guidelines in special instances and with certain populations, as discussed in Question #2.
This is why the intake process is critical. LAET staff ask questions to determine the actual income level of you/your family against which the guidelines will be applied.
4. Is LAET for criminal charges or traffic tickets?
No. LAET handles civil (non-criminal) matters. In such situations, you may ask the judge to appoint a lawyer for you.
5. How do I apply for help?
There are three ways in which you can apply.
NOTE: Submitting an application for assistance is NOT a guarantee LAET can assist you. It is merely step one of several.
You may call your local LAET office
Apply online
In person at a clinic/outreach activity
6. Am I able to come into your office to apply?
Typically, our offices are unable to see walk-ins. There are times different offices may be open to the public, so it is best to call first and leave a voicemail.
Rest assured, if you call our office for an intake OR apply online, someone WILL call you back. Please be patient, as this can take 24 to 48 hours, due to the volume of applications received. Leaving multiple messages will only slow the process down.
7. What if I have a deadline (court date/eviction/protection order)?
Apply as soon as possible. If it’s urgent, call and say so.
NOTE: LAET is required by our funders to handle all applications for assistance thoroughly. The intake process is timely. We cannot give preference to applications surrounding urgent timelines, due to the very nature of how free civil legal aid is set up to operate. Please know we sympathize with deadlines and urgency, but we are required to apply the intake process uniformly to all applicants.
8. May I apply for someone else?
Usually, the person needing help should apply, with limited exceptions (minor child, legal guardian, power of attorney).
B. Eligibility & Cost
1. Do you charge for services?
LAET does not charge the client for services.
2. How do I know if I qualify financially?
Many programs use an income guideline (often tied to the federal poverty guidelines), but some cases/programs differ. Please see the “Getting Help” section for greater detail.
3. Do I have to be a U.S. citizen?
LAET is required by law to limit services to U.S. citizens and documented individuals. Exceptions can be made when the situation involves domestic violence.
4. Will you take every case?
Not every case can be accepted for full representation due to limited resources, attorney caseloads, funding, or other circumstances. You may still receive advice, information, limited services, or referrals.
5. What if I don’t qualify or you can’t take my case?
We’ll try to provide referrals and/or self-help resources when possible.
C. After You Apply (timelines, documents, next steps)
1. What happens after I apply?
Intake staff screen for eligibility and call you. Outcomes may include advice, brief services, referrals, or representation. Your application for services may also be denied for reasons discussed in other sections of the FAQ.
2. Once I apply, how long will it take to hear from you? What info will I need?
Due to the demand for services, it may take 24 to 48 hours to reach out. Please ensure you have a proper contact number, as part of your application. During the phone conversation, you’ll answer questions about your issue, household size, location, and income; having documents handy helps, as LAET will need verification of certain portions of your application.
3. What documents should I gather before I apply or talk to a lawyer?
Have applicable documents ready. Examples include court papers, lease, notices, pay stubs/benefit letters, IDs, key communications surrounding your issue (texts/emails), etc.
4. How soon will someone contact me?
Because of the volume of calls and applications, it may take 24 to 48 hours.
D. Safety, Privacy, Accessibility & Language
1. Is what I tell you confidential?
Yes. Communications are protected by attorney-client confidentiality.
2. I’m in an unsafe situation. Can I exit the website quickly?
Yes. Each page of LAET’s website contains a “leave” button. Pressing this option takes you to a generic website.
3. Do you provide interpreters or help in languages other than English?
Yes. LAET contracts with interpretation services.
4. Do you provide accommodations for disabilities?
LAET will work with you to determine what accommodations best meet your needs.
5. Will applying affect my benefits, housing, or anything else?
No. Your communication with LAET is confidential. Simply applying for services does not put any of the above at risk.
E. Volunteers/Pro Bono
1. How do I volunteer as an attorney, paralegal, or law student?
Visit the Pro Bono Project section of our website. We would love to put your volunteer spirit and expertise to work!
2. What kinds of pro bono opportunities are available?
Opportunities are listed on our website.
3. Do you provide training, templates, or malpractice coverage?
The staff of the Pro Bono Project assist volunteer attorneys in many ways, among them how-to documents, mentorship opportunities, and other free resources. Malpractice coverage is provided.
F. Donors & Supporters
1. How can I donate and is my gift tax-deductible?
Your gift to LAET is tax deductible, as allowed by law. Please consult your tax advisor for greater detail.
Our development staff is ready to work with you surrounding various categories of donations, ways to give, in-kind donations, sponsorship of events, stock, cars, and planned giving.
2. Where does my donation go?
LAET is committed to utilizing your gift as instructed. You are welcome to restrict your gift to a program, event, region, etc.
Unless otherwise noted, LAET will consider your gift “unrestricted” and utilize it where it is needed the most.
3. Can my business/firm sponsor, match gifts, or host a workplace campaign?
Absolutely! We would enjoy working with you to make that happen.
We leverage cutting-edge analytics and data-driven methodologies to give you a competitive edge. Our market analysis and financial forecasting tools allow you to make informed decisions with confidence.
We leverage cutting-edge analytics and data-driven methodologies to give you a competitive edge. Our market analysis and financial forecasting tools allow you to make informed decisions with confidence.
We leverage cutting-edge analytics and data-driven methodologies to give you a competitive edge. Our market analysis and financial forecasting tools allow you to make informed decisions with confidence.
We leverage cutting-edge analytics and data-driven methodologies to give you a competitive edge. Our market analysis and financial forecasting tools allow you to make informed decisions with confidence.
We leverage cutting-edge analytics and data-driven methodologies to give you a competitive edge. Our market analysis and financial forecasting tools allow you to make informed decisions with confidence.