Understanding Legal Aid Services
Legal aid services offer a way to provide access to justice for low-income individuals and families. These services may be provided by private, nonprofit legal assistance organizations or through government programs. They cover a broad range of areas — from general legal help to specific representation in case-handling — that can make it possible for an individual to represent themselves in a legal matter or at least understand how to proceed.
In Lafayette, IN, access is available through organizations such as the Lafayette office of Indiana Legal Services, which serves 32 northern counties, including Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clinton, Fountain, Jasper, Montgomery and Tippecanoe. With federal funding and additional assistance from the Indiana Supreme Court and other organizations, legal aid provides legal services in civil cases to low-income Hoosiers who are facing critical civil problems, including resident immigrants.
Specific topics addressed by these pro-bono organizations include housing, consumer rights, child custody, hoosier healthwise and mediation services for parents. In conjunction with the Indiana Free Legal Answers program , legal-aid services firms can also provide help with family law issues, bankruptcy, social security, military & veterans, estate planning & wills, employment & unemployment compensation, housing discrimination or landlord & tenant questions, discrimination or civil rights, immigration, tax, small claims, or corporation & business. Many legal-aid organizations may charge nominal fees, on a sliding scale, that may be waived if necessary.
To assess your eligibility for legal-aid services in Lafayette, IN, you must first determine whether or not you qualify for representation. You will then need to gather information about your household, financial and legal information, along with info about people who will help with your case. You will then need to fill out an application complete with information about the legal issue you are facing and your income, noting any special circumstances.
It does not cost anything to apply for a legal aid program, but if you qualify you may have to pay a fee when your case is opened. If your eligibility changes, you should notify your legal aid attorney and the program as soon as possible. You may contact Indiana Legal Services by phone, online or in person.
Requirements for Legal Aid Assistance in Lafayette
Individuals who reside in Lafayette, Indiana, and meet certain criteria will be eligible to receive legal aid services, paid for with state and federal funds. As long as a person meets income guidelines established by the state of Indiana and has an identified legal issue that falls within the scope of what legal aid can assist with, they qualify for legal aid.
Financial eligibility is determined by comparing a person’s household size and gross annual income to the income guidelines. Person’s with fewer assets and income qualify for the most assistance, while persons with higher assets and income may not qualify for some aid programs and the aid they do qualify for is often limited.
In general, individuals must be able to show that their gross income is 125 percent or below of the federal poverty guidelines, which are set and published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, there are some exceptions.
Some legal aid programs assist persons with income up to 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines, such as the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. Other exceptions include those who qualify for Medicaid, food stamps, plan first benefits, supplemental security income or temporary assistance for needy families. People who are determined to be disabled by the Social Security Administration also may be eligible, even if their income exceeds the income guidelines.
Some immigration programs have eligibility requirements based on persons’ class or nationality. Victims of domestic violence must be able to show physical or mental abuse through a relationship with a current or former partner or spouse to be eligible for domestic violence legal aid programs.
Organizations Offering Legal Help in Lafayette
Indiana Legal Services, Inc.
Serving the Lafayette area, Indiana Legal Services, Inc. provides an array of services to low-income clients seeking help with civil legal issues. Indiana Legal offers a full range of free legal services and information for qualifying clients and is one of Indiana’s largest nonprofit law firms. Eligible clients can receive assistance with domestic matters, housing, consumer law, health care and family law issues, as well as a number of other related legal needs.
1580 Lincoln Square, Ste. 108, Lafayette, IN 47905
Phone: 765-423-2555
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – noon, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.; intake hours are Mon-Fri, 9:15 a.m.-11:00 a.m. for current clients; by referral only for new clients
Purdue University Student Legal Services
The Purdue University Student Legal Services (SLS) provides limited legal services for Purdue students to assist in resolving common legal problems in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Its goal is to provide quality legal services in a timely manner. SLS provides advice and consultation only regarding the student’s own legal problems. Students can obtain information on services from the SLS office and website.
610 Purdue Mall, Stewart Center, Room 204, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907
Ph.: 765-494-3981
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., or by appointment
How to Obtain Legal Aid
Finding Legal Aid in Lafayette, Indiana: A Comprehensive Guide
Application Process and Documentation
Initially, the process of obtaining legal aid may seem overwhelming, but familiarizing yourself with the necessary documentation will make the process far simpler. To start, legal aid recipients must meet a set of specific criteria, including financial eligibility. All reference to "legal aid" in this article is also assumed to include legal aid clinics, and organizations that provide legal assistance. Some legal aid entities like the Lafayette Public Library’s Indiana Legal Help should be noted, as well.
The staff or volunteers at legal aid offices will ask you various questions regarding your household income, expenses, number of people in your family, and your assets. They will then conduct a basic eligibility screening. Patiently answer all questions honestly, as this will help to expedite the process.
Legal aid does not cover every type of legal matter. Most commonly, legal aid provides assistance with matters of civil law. There are a few exceptions, such as cases that involve domestic violence, where legal aid could appoint counsel. Legal aid staff will describe what services are available to you during your meeting. Depending on the nature of your case, they may refer you to a private attorney at no cost to you. Essentially, the entire process is aimed at connecting you with the necessary legal services you require.
Most likely, you will need to provide copies of all relevant income documentation such as pay stubs, social security statements, public assistance information, housing assistance, unemployment, child support, etc. In addition, other financial documents such as bank statements, prior tax returns, and a list of monthly expenses may be required. A list of prior legal cases, if applicable, along with any additional documentation or materials related to your case and its background will also be necessary. Overall, the idea is to provide legal aid with as complete and accurate a picture of your situation as possible.
Although the process may seem tedious, it serves an important purpose. For example, while receipts for rent may be critical for showing how much money you have to spend each month, it’s not necessary to provide signed and notarized lease agreements. It’s likely that you do not have accounting records for charities like the local Goodwill. Also, a receipt for a Starbucks drink is unlikely to help prove your case, while receipts for groceries or rent will almost certainly be of concern. If you are unsure if some documentation is necessary, consult the legal aid office staff.
Other Options for Legal Assistance
If you do not qualify for legal aid, there are still some other resources available. Local attorneys here in Lafayette may offer a short consultation for free. In some cases, they may offer services or advice on a sliding scale dependent upon your income level. Even if they cannot help you, they may be able to point you in the right direction towards helping you obtain legal services.
Beyond the courthouse and local legal professionals, there are a number of online legal services available that can help to provide advice, forms, and other resources that can help you with your case and your legal needs .
LawHelp.org comes highly recommended by the American Bar Association, so you can feel confident using it. LawHelp.org’s helpful legal information, questions, and files can go a long way towards helping you solve your problem. Fastcase allows you to search Indiana’s state and federal codes for free. If all else fails, you can use the US Courts website. Although the information here is rather bare-boned, you can get a general idea of what the courts expect of any filings.
Advantages of Legal Aid Access
Legal aid services can be a powerful ally, one that can significantly impact the outcome of sensitive legal issues. Here are some reasons why using these types of services is so beneficial:
1. They are available for everyone.
One thing legal aid services definitely are not is exclusive. They are open to anyone who cannot afford representation, no matter the case, from a slip-and-fall claimant to the defendant in a traffic accident case.
2. Non-profit organizations make them possible.
Legal aid services, such as the Indiana Legal Services Center in Lafayette, Indiana, are not-for-profit legal firms funded by local, state, or federal government entities and through charitable donations.
3. They take cases regardless of merit.
Another reason these types of services are so valuable is they take on cases regardless of whether they think a favorable ruling is likely. They work hard to help you in your situation, but they do not pass up the chance to help simply because they think you don’t have a good case. Their goal is obtaining a valid resolution to your problem, not worrying about whether you prove your case or receive damages.
Examples of successes obtained by Indiana’s legal aid services:
The Indiana Legal Services Center doesn’t just go into overdrive during times of crisis. They are always there to help you through the following:
Obtaining free and/or reduced representation in a case can mean the world. In fact, it can be the difference between going to jail and walking free.
Limitations of the Legal Aid System
While there are organizations that provide legal aid in Lafayette, Indiana, it is worth noting that, like many places, the legal aid system is under considerable strain to meet the growing demand for its services. One of the biggest challenges is funding. While some legal aid organizations are fully funded by the government, the funding they do receive often varies from year-to-year. This makes it difficult for legal aid groups to hire enough attorneys to keep up with the number of new clients that are seeking assistance.
Another issue is simply that the need continues to outstrip the available resources. By one estimate , as many as 80% of low-income persons who come to legal-aid agencies with civil matters are turned away because of an inability to promptly help them. Too many cases and not enough legal professionals make it difficult for legal aid providers to help everyone.
For those familiar with Langham Logistics, the problem is puzzling. Langham Logistics is a company that ships freight across the United States for various customers, including the federal government and the United Nations. The backlog of unshipped freight has risen considerably over the past year and they are currently unable to fulfill their contracts. The reason given by Langham is that they continue to be presented with requests. Much to the same effect, legal aid organizations across the country have seen the increased request for their services as jurisdictions have sought to hire more attorneys.