Overview of Legal Aid in Cortland
For Cortland, NY residents who cannot afford an attorney for their legal issues, legal aid services can provide a vital lifeline. Legal aid exists to ensure that everyone has access to legal representation. This is a fundamental right that extends to both civil and criminal cases. Legal aid services, such as the Volunteer Legal Services Project, are available to help residents of Cortland obtain free or low-cost legal representation for a wide range of issues. The origins of the legal aid movement go back to the late 19th century, starting in England. In the U.S., the initiative began in 1876 in New York City. Over the years, legal aid services have evolved, often becoming highly organized community-centered facilities for people who have nowhere else to turn for help with their legal needs. Legal aid services are often run by private organizations with access to government or charitable funding. They are staffed by attorneys, legal assistants, volunteers , and interns. Some services charge nominal fees for certain activities and limited types of cases. Legal aid facilities assist everyone from elderly citizens who need help with healthcare issues to families facing foreclosure and anyone in between. At present, around 1.3 million people in New York State receive some type of legal assistance from legal aid organizations. Of those, nearly 75,000 are residents of Cortland County. Those receiving help include people living with disabilities, victims of domestic violence, seniors, veterans, and the homeless. According to a study compiled by The Legal Aid Society and the New York City Bar Association, the clients of legal aid services are predominately black and Hispanic, and they range in age from birth through 92. Most of the clients are women living on low incomes. Many have a history of trauma or abuse. Although the most common reasons that people seek assistance are housing, consumer debt, or health-related issues, legal aid services exist in order to help anyone with a need for legal representation who cannot afford it.
Categories of Legal Aid Provided
Legal aid programs in Cortland, New York, generally focus on a range of issues that affect many individuals and families. Families facing obstacles should consider legal aid before pursuing self-representation in any type of legal matter. The following types of cases are handled by some legal aid programs in the area: Family law is often a primary concern among legal aid clients. In addition to issues involving divorce and child custody, legal aid representatives and attorneys can assist with resolving child support issues or establishing paternity. Housing disputes, including evictions and landlord-tenant disagreements, are also covered by legal aid. Many clients with housing concerns translate the need for legal assistance into help preventing homelessness in the community. In addition to family law and housing disputes, legal aid programs such as the Legal Assistance of Western New York offer assistance with consumer matters. Some Cortland residents facing financial hardship should consider contacting legal aid for assistance with debt relief, fair debt collection practices, and even bankruptcy filing support. Consumer and real estate issues, particularly related to foreclosure, round out the many legal aid services available to residents of Cortland and surrounding areas of New York.
Eligibility for Legal Aid
Eligibility requirements for obtaining legal aid in Cortland, NY generally hinge on a series of factors, including the number of people in one’s household and the applicant’s level of income. The Family Court required income threshold is $50,000 for a single person, $75,000 for a couple without children and $85,000 for a couple with children. The Family Court allows slightly more income in order to qualify for legal aid. But that additional income also raises the level to which the assets are allowed to be worth.
The income and asset levels are set at the discretion of the assigned attorney after a client consultation. Office location also may be a factor in determining eligibility. The Cortland community has seven legal service providers. Income levels differ among each service.
Income consideration thresholds are determined primarily by The Legal Service Corporation. Its sliding scale uses family size for determining eligibility. An individual who earns an annual income less than $14,613 could receive free legal advice. The maximum limit for a two-person income is $19,912, which is the minimum for a family of three. Then it jumps to $25,272 for families of four.
A public defender or legal aid attorney could request the income level be higher based on individual case requirements. Generally, though, those levels are much higher to qualify, as this community has a growing population with less disposable income.
More than half of the population lives at poverty level, is unemployed or underemployed. Cortland is listed as one of the top 100 cities in New York State, and it has the highest rate of unemployment. Close to 40 percent of the residents live far below the poverty line. It’s not surprising that one of the seven Office of Indigent Legal Services is in Cortland.
How to Obtain Legal Aid
Applying for legal aid can be both a necessary and a daunting task for individuals who need assistance with legal matters but cannot afford an attorney. In Cortland, NY, there are resources and steps to guide you through the application process for legal aid.
The first step in applying for legal aid is determining your eligibility. Legal aid is available for low-income clients who face civil legal issues that a judge can ultimately resolve. These issues include family matters, such as divorce, child custody, and domestic violence; housing issues, such as evictions and landlord/tenant disputes; and other important matters, like public benefits and immigration issues. Legal aid organizations may also assist clients with criminal matters in certain situations.
Once you have determined that your legal issue falls within the scope of legal aid services, you should begin to gather documents that will help your legal aid provider determine your eligibility. These documents will typically include verification of your income, bank statements, bills, and forms of identification.
The next step is actually applying for legal aid. This can usually be done online, over the phone, or in person at the legal aid clinic. If you are unsure whether you qualify for legal assistance, do not be afraid to reach out for guidance. A legal aid worker will be able to help you determine your eligibility, and they should be able to provide you with additional resources if necessary.
When you arrive for your appointment or log on to the legal aid website, bring as many supporting documents as you have gathered. Be prepared to answer questions about your legal issue and background, and discuss your financial situation with the legal aid worker. Most legal aid applications are free, but a small fee may apply depending on the service you receive or the organization you are working with.
If you are eligible for legal aid, a legal aid worker will provide an overview of the program’s services and requirements. They will also help you to better understand your legal rights and responsibilities.
Be aware that legal Aid programs are community-based in Cortland, NY. They may offer services directly or partner with other organizations and law firms to offer free or reduced-cost legal services such as clinics and workshops. As a result, treatment given from these programs will vary.
Finally, reaching out to a legal aid clinic is not legally binding. If you do not receive the help you need or feel that you have been treated unfairly, you have the right to apply with a different clinic or follow the grievance procedures laid out by the organization.
Local Legal Aid Agencies
Cortland, NY, is served by an array of local legal aid organizations that focus on delivering fair and equitable legal services to individuals and families in need. Some of these organizations seek to advance social justice, while others are dedicated to a particular target community or population.
Legal Services of Central New York, Inc. (LSCNY) – Cortland Office: A non-profit law firm focused on keeping families together, preventing homelessness and helping address civil legal issues, the Cortland office of LSCNY provides essential legal aid to the low-income community in Cortland County. The office is located at 19 Tompkins St., and can be contacted at (800) 724-7495.
Cayuga Centers Legal Services of Central New York – Cortland Office: The Cayuga Centers extension of LSCNY provides mobile legal services and pro bono assistance to those with basic legal needs. The office is located at 86 Clinton Ave. and provides support services to eligible individuals and families throughout Cayuga, Cortland, Onondaga and Seneca counties . The Cortland office can be contacted at (315) 836-3201.
The Salvation Army Of Cortland: Serving the Cortland community since 1884, this branch of the national organization provides a secure place for those in need to receive free and confidential legal counseling. The Cortland office is located at 36 South Main St. and can be contacted at (607) 756-1341.
Cortland County Bar Association: The Cortland County Bar Association works to support the legal community while also promoting public awareness and access to justice. Among its most valuable functions, the Bar Association refers callers to local attorneys willing to offer pro bono support. It can be reached at (607) 756-7574.
New York State Bar Association Pro Bono Services: The New York State Bar Association and Legal Aid Society have teamed up to provide the Pro Bono Hotline, which connects those in need of legal services to participating attorneys across the state. The Pro Bono Hotline is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling 800-396-1457 or 646-442-3636.
Additional Legal Aid Resources
Online, there is a wealth of support available for those looking for help. The New York State Unified Court System website has an organized section dedicated to court accessibility and legal aid resources. Users can learn about: guaranteed legal representation for all defendants charged with a crime; court interpreter services; and the rights of persons with disabilities who need access to courts and their functions. These resources and links serve as guideposts for individuals drafting their case plans for legal matters.
The State of New York also has a Civil Legal Services Law, which is a useful tool that aims to redefine the method by which legal aid is obtained. This new approach encourages the use of regional justice communities to focus on the greatest needs for legal assistance within the community.
In tandem with the state’s legal aid initiatives, locals are encouraged to reach out to nonprofit organizations. CAPCO (Cortland County Community Action Program, Inc.) in Cortland, NY, was established in 1965, and is the primary community action organization for the county. The organization, better known as CAPCO, is known for empowering people struggling with poverty and advocates for a more self-sufficient, secure and cohesive community. It provides academic coaching, economic self-sufficiency programs, and youth mentoring at no cost to those in need, and also hosts many local events, workshops, and food drives to bring people together.
CAPCO offers a great deal of educational programs related to money management and business ownership, among others. To stay up to date about upcoming events, you can visit the CAPCO website for the most current information and a thorough list of the services and resources they provide.
An additional resource to keep in mind is the local Attorney Referral & Information Service (ARIS). The ARIS, run by the Cayuga County Bar Association, helps individuals navigate through the process of referring a lawyer based on client needs. It acts as a neutral party, guiding a client toward a qualified attorney, and also offers Name and Address Searches against a fee for a Lawyer Search, the individual’s name must be an exact match, from the name and address of public records (such as tax or census records) retained by the county in which the public record was originally filed. Personal data is kept confidential, according to its Privacy Policy.
Cortland County Bar Association, and in turn the ARIS, is a member of the prestigious New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) and the American Bar Association’s "certified" Lawyer Referral Service (LRS). The LRS is a network of local attorney referral programs, many of whom have received accreditation from the American Bar Association. Each member engages in a vetting process that the ABA found is aimed equally at the public’s interest in protecting itself from unqualified lawyers and the lawyer’s interest to avoid attracting clients who are not suited for their practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you seek help with legal matters in Cortland, you likely have questions regarding how to access legal aid and what those services may cost. While seeking the advice of a lawyer is always your best option, there may be circumstances in which you cannot afford help, which raises the need for legal aid resources. Here, we address some common questions:
Does legal aid cost money?
Most legal aid services do not charge, and if they do, the prices are based on your ability to pay. Opportunities like the "Law HelpNY Online Document Assembly" will show you if there is a fee involved and what the fees are before allowing you to proceed with the process. If you are seeking assistance through the Statewide Hotlines, you are not required to pay for help.
Will the information I provide to a legal aid representative be confidential?
While legal aid representatives will generally try to keep your communications confidential , it’s up to you whether or not you want it to be. If confidentiality is not possible, they should be informing you of that and explaining the reasons behind it. It is important to understand that legal aid representatives cannot give legal advice. When in doubt, you can answer communications and ask questions on an anonymous basis via email/letter or phone with caller ID blocked.
Will I only be able to use legal aid briefly?
This can depend on where you are getting legal aid, but there generally are limits on usage. You may be limited on how long you can call the telephone hotline and may need to go to certain places after hours to use "lawyem clinics." Most free legal clinics are only available on a pro bono basis (as time allows).