Some Kinds of Problems Legal Services May Be Able to Help You Solve

Authored By: Legal Services Alabama

Information

Consumer

Collection law suits - If someone files a law suit against you, you have to file a written response quickly. Legal Services can discuss the law suit with you and advise you what to do. It may be able to help you defend the claims.

Garnishments and Executions - If a creditor garnishes your wages, Legal Services may be able to help you protect your wages. Legal Services may also be able to help you when a garnishment freezes your bank account, or when someone tries to use a judgment to get other property from you.

Bankruptcy - If a bankruptcy would solve your legal problems, Legal Services may help you file a bankruptcy case. Legal Services looks at several factors. Would a bankruptcy give you immediate benefits? Would a bankruptcy leave you more protected over the next few years - or less? Would you be able to make a fresh start?

Warranties, credit, and other consumer problems - Legal Services may be able to help if you have other consumer problems. Are you having trouble with warranties on products you bought or services you received? Does a credit reporting agency have inaccurate information about you? Are you having problems with the gas or power company?

Education

Special education - Legal Services may be able to help your child get the special educational services he or she needs to learn well in school.

Family Law

Adoption - Legal Services may be able to represent you in adopting a child when the natural parents can't ever regain custody.

Domestic violence - If you are the victim of domestic violence, Legal Services may be able to help you file a Protection from Abuse petition or a divorce. As part of this representation, Legal Services can also help you seek relief that will let you start a new life free from abuse. This includes custody of minor children and child support.

Health Care

Medicaid - Legal Services may be able to help if Medicaid is cutting you off. Legal Services may also be able to help you get Medicaid to pay for medical treatment.

Medicare - If Medicare is not paying for your medical treatment or not paying enough, Legal Services may be able to help you get coverage.

Housing

Public housing - Legal Services may be able to help you obtain services, resolve grievances or defend an eviction when you are in public housing, Section 8 or other subsidized housing programs.

Private landlord/tenant problems - If you a landlord tries to evict you, Legal Services can advise you about your rights and possibly represent you if you are sued in court. Legal Services may also be able to help you make your landlord make repairs.

Homeownership and land problems - If Rural Housing tries to put you out of a home you are buying, Legal Services can help you keep your house. Legal Services may also be able to help if you are having similar problems with a private mortgage company. Legal Services can also help you with other problems with your home and land.

Public Benefits

Food Stamps/SNAP - Legal Services may be able to help if the food stamp office cuts off your food stamps, denies your application or does not give you the right amount of stamps. It can also help if the food stamp office is making you prove ("verify") more than it should; if it is not giving you the help it should in getting needed proof; or if the food stamp office is losing your papers.

Family Assistance (used to be called AFDC or ADC) - If you are not getting the public assistance you need to take care of your children, Legal Services can help you get your proper benefits from the Department of Human Resources. It can also help if you are not getting services through the JOBS program. These include education and training and child care, transportation and more while in education and training.

Social Security and S.S.I. - Legal Services can help you challenge a decision by the Social Security Administration stopping your check or denying your application. For example, Legal Services can help you show that you are disabled, that you should draw benefits on your late husband or that your children should draw benefits on their father.

Unemployment Compensation - Legal Services can help you challenge a decision denying you unemployment compensation ("pennies").

Probate and Estates

Wills, living wills, and powers of attorney - Legal Services can draft a will, living will or power of attorney for you.

Small estates - Legal Services may be able to help you probate a small estate.

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To apply for Legal Services assistance:

Call the Legal Services Alabama office that serves the county where you live OR

Call toll-free 1-866-456-4995 OR

Apply online HERE.

 


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.

Last Review and Update: Nov 21, 2019
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