Important Information for Current and Prospective LSA Clients

Legal Services Alabama provides legal services to low income persons and families. The following will tell you more of what you should know about us and our representation of you.

How much does it cost?

• There is no charge for any advice or other service provided by Legal Services Alabama.
• Our funds come mostly from the federal government and let us give our services free to those who are eligible.
• We must ask you to pay for costs charged by the courts, such as filing fees. We may also ask you to pay for things like getting copies of papers for your case. If you cannot pay costs needed to help with your problem, let us know. We may be able to help.

What are some of the kinds of legal problems Legal Services Alabama helps with?

• Garnishments
• Protection from Abuse
• Evictions
• Foreclosures
• Civil lawsuits
• Food stamp denials
• SSI terminations
• Unemployment Compensation denials

What kinds of legal problems does Legal Services Alabama NOT help with?

• Criminal cases. We are forbidden by law from defending anyone against a criminal charge. If you are formally accused by the authorities of a crime and want a lawyer, but you cannot afford one, ask the Court to appoint a free lawyer to represent you.
• Fee-producing cases. These are cases where an attorney will agree to represent you without charging a fee except out of money you get from the other side. If you have a case like this, and do not know how to find an attorney to take your case, we can try to help you find one. We cannot, however, recommend a specific attorney.
• Cases excluded by Case Acceptance Guidelines. Due to limited funding, Legal Services Alabama cannot accept every case. We have set up case acceptance guidelines to help us decide which cases we can take for representation and which we cannot.

How do I apply for Legal Services?

• You can call our Call Center at 1-866-456-4995.
• You can call one of our local offices. You can find the office that serves your home county by checking our office directory. To learn the address, phone numbers and toll-free numbers click here.
• You can apply online HERE.

What should I bring with me to the first interview?

• Make sure to bring with you any papers or documents that you have received from the court or from the people with whom you are having problems.
• Bring all other papers relating to your problem.

What do you need to know about my legal problem?

• We need to know everything about your problem in order to give you the best advice and representation.
• Any information that you give us is considered confidential. We cannot reveal it to anyone outside our office without your consent.

If Legal Services Alabama takes my case, what will I have to do?

• Together with your lawyer or paralegal, decide what should be done in your case.
• Let us know immediately if you receive any papers from the sheriff or the court.
• Tell us if your address or phone number changes.
• Tell us if your household income changes.
• Always make an appointment when you want to see your lawyer or paralegal. This way, you can see your lawyer or paralegal at a time convenient for both of you.
• If you cannot keep an appointment, or will be late, please call and let us know right away.
• If someone asks you about your case, try to talk to your lawyer or paralegal before you say or do anything.
• Be sure to tell us if anything happens in your case.
• If you remember any important facts, let us know.

What do I do if I have a complaint?

• If someone at Legal Services denies you service, you have the right to have another person review that decision.
• If you have a problem with the way your case is being handled, you have the right to complain to a supervisor.

Your suggestions are welcome

We are always open to suggestions about how we can better serve our clients. If you want to become involved on a continuing basis, you may be interested in our Clients Council. Ask any staff member about how to join the Clients Council.

AlabamaLegalHelp.org offers legal information, not legal advice. This website provides information on your rights and options. However, the site does not apply the law to your personal facts. For legal advice, you should call a lawyer. To apply for free legal services in Alabama, call the Legal Services Alabama office that is closest to where you live OR call toll-free 1-866-456-4995. You can also apply online HERE.