Legal Aid Overview
Legal aid services have evolved throughout the years from a relatively informal expression of a lawyer’s willingness to help others, to a more organized program that works to ensure everyone can have access to legal representation. Legal aid programs can usually be found in the following places in the United States: local (city or county) bar associations, local legal aid societies and legal service corporations ("LSCert"). These programs provide assistance with civil cases, volunteer attorneys, pro bono representation, donation of surplus or out-of-filing rental office space, and funding for scholarships that support legal assistants, law students, and practicing attorneys .
In 1994 the IOLTA programs were founded. This stands for Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts- lawyers are required to put any client payments that have not been used yet in a trust account. The interest earned on that account goes into a fund that is used to help underserved clients get much needed legal services.
Legal aid services can be found in every state. In Norwalk California, there are several legal aid providers that help low income residents.
Eligibility for Legal Aid
Eligibility for legal aid services in Norwalk, CA is based primarily on your income. As a general guideline, you must earn under 125% of the federal poverty level, although some agencies may allow as much as 200%. This means you must earn $15,000 or less if you are single, or $31,000 if you are a family of four.
The types of cases that may be handled by a legal aid attorney include all family law matters such as divorce, child custody and visitation, spousal and child support, domestic violence, property issues and surrogacy agreements. Legal aid funds may be available to help with putting wills in place, handling identity theft matters and immigration issues with green card applications, temporary visas and refugee status.
In order to qualify for free legal assistance in Norwalk, CA, you will be asked to provide the following documentation:
- Income statements for all household members
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or proof of immigration status
- Proof of address
- Proof of income and employment
- Description of legal matter and outcome you are seeking
- Phone numbers and names of individuals involved in your legal challenges
- Payment information, if applicable
Legal Aid Case Types
As far as the types of cases that legal aid in Norwalk, CA can assist with, there are a variety of different areas for which they are able to offer assistance. For instance, they have the capacity to help with family law, housing issues, immigration problems, and even bankruptcy.
The most common kinds of cases that get addressed when using legal aid in Norwalk, CA are family law, which encompasses domestic violence, divorce, spousal support, child custody and child support. Immigration is another fairly common type of case that they handle. When dealing with issues of immigration, there are various types of visas available to individuals wanting to live and work in the states on a temporary basis, or permanently. DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) is also a common issue faced by clients. Other examples include asylum for people fleeing violence and persecution, green cards through family sponsorship, and other visa issues.
Housing is another common area for them to assist. They help people with foreclosures, unlawful detainers (evictions), tenant rights, and even homelessness.
Other areas of their practice include:
Child support – this helps ensure that each child supported by an individual parent has access to sufficient resources for his or her needs.
Child custody – attorneys provide help in negotiating potential custody solutions, including those involving shared parental rights. These are typically achieved amicably, but some cases do go to mediation.
Bankruptcy – there are three types of bankruptcy filings under chapter seven, eleven and thirteen. Help can be secured in dealing with creditors for consumers who are struggling with bankruptcy and debt collection issues.
Applying for Legal Aid in Norwalk
For those seeking assistance in Norwalk, CA, a comprehensive guide to legal aid in the area is essential. Before diving into specific avenues for help, it’s worth noting that numerous organizations have come together to form the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA). This non-profit organization’s mission is to ensure that all LA residents have equal access to justice- regardless of financial status. Moreover, its overall goal is to empower and educate low income individuals throughout Los Angeles County so that they can navigate life’s hurdles. Indeed, one study found that low income Californians should expect to spend an average of 12.4% of their monthly income on legal services. With each individual or family making such an expenditure, civil justice becomes out of reach for most. Thankfully, organizations like LAFLA are working diligently to not only deliver legal services to those who qualify, but also help them break the cycle of poverty. Below, we’ve broken down the steps necessary to apply for legal aid, ranging from where to apply to common wait times and forms .
Where to Apply
Individuals in need of legal aid in Norwalk, CA can get started by opting to apply online through the LAFLA website. Alternatively, if a face-to-face meeting is preferred, feel free to visit a local office or one of the three LAFLA Self Help Centers.
Forms to Fill Out
All agencies offering legal aid require applicants to fill out a specific form. For LAFLA, applicants must complete a client intake form (available as an online form or PDF). If visiting a local office, however, it’s best to contact the agency beforehand to see if any additional forms are required.
Typical Timelines for Assistance
In general, it takes about four weeks (28 days) for applicants to receive their case determination. It’s important to note that applicants will be notified as soon as their determination is made, regardless of whether or not they qualified. Even so, factors like the severity of the legal issue at hand and the level of interest involved will invariably affect everything from case length to prioritization.
Norwalk Area Legal Aid Groups
Local Legal Aid Organizations in Norwalk, CA
In addition to public programs, several local non-profit legal aid organizations provide free or reduced-rate services to those in the Norwalk area. Here are some of the main legal aid players in the city:
Los Angeles County Bar Association
The Public Counsel division of the Los Angeles County Bar Association provides the public with free legal help by matching those who cannot afford an attorney with a private attorney or law firm offering pro bono (free) legal services to low-income individuals.
While not specific to Norwalk, the LACBA program has numerous volunteer attorneys donating their time to help people throughout the area, including Norwalk. To take advantage of the LACBA services, there are several ways to apply:
Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ)
AAAJ is another organization that specializes in serving Asian-American populations in all areas of immigration, civil rights and disability rights. While its headquarters are located in downtown Los Angeles, AAAJ can connect recent immigrants and other low-income residents of Norwalk with the assistance they need for immigration matters.
To inquire about a free consultation with an AAAJ attorney, visit the organization’s Whittier office or call them directly at 213-977-7500. Legal services are available in over 15 languages.
Legal Aid FAQ
How much does legal aid cost?
Legal aid in Norwalk, CA is free of charge for qualifying low income individuals or families. You would not have to pay anything to retain the services of a legal aid attorney. That said, the fees you would have to pay for a lawyer would not be the biggest area of concern for you. More likely, you would have to worry about who ends up handling your case.
Will I still get representation from a legal aid lawyer if I need to go to court?
Yes. The affiliated legal aid attorney who takes your case should handle any court appearances, whether civil or criminal. Be sure that you know what legal aid can and cannot do for you, so that you are not caught off-guard by a situation where a law group cannot assist with a particular legal matter.
What if I want to change my legal aid attorney?
In most cases , it is possible to change legal aid attorneys. However, the circumstances will depend on which legal aid group took your case to begin with. Some legal aid groups may require a specific excuse for why you want to change attorneys, as well as documentation of your previous legal aid attorney’s performance. But as a general rule, you can end your representation with a legal aid attorney at any time.
What types of cases can a legal aid attorney handle?
Legal aid attorneys usually handle a broad range of cases. In many instances, legal aid attorneys take care of everything from criminal cases to personal injury lawsuits, to medical malpractice claims and even divorce. The most common areas of legal aid include: Workers compensation, bankruptcy fraud, foreclosure defense, personal injury, divorce and child custody, and criminal defense.