The Ins and Outs of Legal Aid
The term "legal aid" refers to services provided to those who cannot afford a lawyer, electric but who also have a case worth pursuing. lawyers in the legal aid field work for legal aid societies and similar nonprofit organizations.
Legal aid attorneys have helped many who would otherwise be unable to navigate the complex legal system. legal help is provided in both family and civil law matters . a few of the many scenarios that can benefit from legal aid are:
- Your landlord has threatened eviction
- You are facing trial on criminal charges
- You have been denied disability payments
- You are filing for bankruptcy or bankruptcy protection
Legal aid societies operate throughout the state of Ohio and throughout the nation. The Summit County Public Defender Office has been providing legal aid services for over five decades, and today employs well over 70 professionals who assist indigent clients in Summit County on a pro bono or reduced fee basis. Law firms, churches, and other nonprofit groups also often provide legal aid services to help support their local communities.
Who’s Eligible for Legal Aid
Eligibility Requirements for Legal Aid in Summit County
In order to qualify for free or low-cost legal services in Summit County, the applicant must first meet several qualifying factors related to income and type of case. For most county services, a household must earn less than twice the federal poverty level. These levels vary depending on family size, so each situation must be considered on a case by case basis. Of course there are exceptions, and at Summit County Legal Aid, it is imperative that the applicant itemizes their individual needs and situation.
As a general rule, only select areas of law are considered. This includes civil matters related to housing (eviction, non-payment, and foreclosure) and domestic violence related cases such as divorces, child support, and custody. There are several exceptions to this rule, and the applicant is urged to describe their situation in detail. At Summit County Legal Aid, they are more than willing to help the applicant navigate through the process, utilizing the legal aid system itself if necessary.
The Different Types of Legal Aid Services Available
When it comes to navigating the legal aid landscape in Summit County, a vital aspect is knowing the types of legal services available. Legal aid organizations in Summit County strive to provide comprehensive assistance across various practice areas.
For residents of Akron and the rest of Summit County, housing matters are frequently at the top of the list. As such, Summit County legal aid services include guidance for tenants, landlords, and even homeowners. From eviction defense to landlord-tenant disputes, housing issues are a primary area of focus for legal aid.
Family law, another cornerstone of legal aid, encompasses issues like divorce, child custody, and child support. Legal aid in Summit County is available to assist those undergoing separation or facing complex custody battles. This assistance can be invaluable for achieving equitable resolutions.
Consumer rights are also addressed through legal aid. Whether you are facing wrongful debt collection, mortgage fraud, or issues with warranties and other consumer protections, legal aid attorneys can help you assert your rights and navigate the complexities of consumer law.
In addition to these areas, legal aid organizations in Summit County may provide support for victims of domestic violence and abuse, help individuals with bankruptcy filings, and offer guidance on other civil legal matters. Overall, the breadth of programs for legal aid in Akron and Summit County helps individuals from all walks of life get the assistance they need.
How Can You Obtain Legal Aid Services
Many individuals and families who qualify for legal aid do not know how to apply for assistance. In Summit County, Legal Aid offers the possibility of free representation or administrative assistance in various areas of the law. The process begins with determining if you are eligible for legal aid. Legal Aid in Summit County is provided by both Legal Aid of the Upper Ohio Valley (LAUOV) and Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation (OLAF).
LAUOV gives assistance with numerous civil matters and may be contacted through their website, www.lauv.org. The income guidelines for assistance at LAUOV are set out below.
Income guidelines for individuals & families for civil assistance from LAUOV OLAF is a non-profit that provides help in accessing assistance from a network of civil legal aid providers throughout Ohio. They describe potential eligibility in the following way:
To qualify for civil legal aid, a household’s gross monthly income must be less than 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. However, many legal aid programs also consider household expenses and the resulting monthly income available for spending on ordered legal services. Some legal aid programs have special areas where they provide help. Those typically involve:
The income limit guidelines for OLAF assistance at legal aid in Summit County are specified by age and expected income from a particular type of cases. They vary by the type of case as follows:
Most individuals seeking free legal assistance qualify for civil legal aid. If you believe you may qualify for assistance, go to the LAUOV or OLAF website from your home computer or a local library computer to complete the online application form or get information about how to apply.
Local Legal Aid Resources
Summit County residents have access to a variety of legal aid organizations that provide free or low-cost legal assistance. Here are some of the most prominent legal aid resources in the area:
Legal Aid Society of Summit Ohio & Medina Counties
The Legal Aid Society of Summit Ohio & Medina Counties operates in Summit and Medina counties, providing civil legal aid to qualified low-income individuals and families in Summit and Medina counties. Services include free legal advice and assistance for a number of civil matters, including family law, low-income taxpayer services, housing issues, expungements, and more.
Call them at (330) 643-8029 or toll-free at (866) 529-6446, or visit their website at www.lassmh.org.
Community Legal Aid
This organization provides free civil legal aid to low-income residents throughout central Northeast Ohio , including Summit, Medina, and Stark counties. Community Legal Aid’s attorneys and paralegals provide representation in a number of civil legal areas, including consumer law, divorce/separation, housing, domestic violence, paternity, guardianship, probate, foreclosure and bankruptcy, and wills and powers of attorney.
Community Legal Aid, Inc.
435 E. 18th Street, #101, Ohio City, OH 44114
(800) 998-9454
www.communitylegalaid.org
Pierstorf Law
Pierstorf Law provides affordable legal services to Summit County residents through payment plans and a sliding scale model. Attorney Mark Pierstorf assists residents with a variety of legal needs including; bankruptcy, criminal matters, DUI, family law, and civil matters.
314 S. Portage Path, Suite 260
Akron, OH 44320
(330) 753-3135
www.pierstorf.com
Success Stories of Legal Aid Services
Maria, a single mother with two children, was facing domestic violence charges after an altercation with her abusive ex-partner. She found herself uncertain of the next steps, fearful of the potential consequences for her children if convicted of a crime. Through legal aid in Summit County, she secured a pro bono attorney who specialized in family law and criminal defense. Not only did this attorney help her navigate the court system, but with their support, Maria was able to gain full custody of her children and reach a protective order against her ex. With her new-found sense of security and independence, Maria enrolled in a job-training program, finding employment that would provide for her and her children in the future.
James, a 70-year-old retired veteran, was facing eviction from his home of 20 years due to non-payment of rent. Unable to read the fine print of his lease, he had been unaware of the automatic rent increase included in the agreement. James was considering bankruptcy and was uneasy about possibly having to relocate after so many years. Summit County legal aid connected him with an eviction attorney who helped James negotiate with his landlord and come to an agreement that not only would allow James to stay in his home, but also gave him a manageable payment plan to catch up on his overdue rent.
Laura, a survivor of human trafficking, had just recently escaped her captors and was looking to rebuild her life. She had lost her job and was having difficulty finding a new one because she had previously been charged with prostitution and drug-related offenses. Through an anti-human trafficking legal aid program in Summit County, Laura was able to have her criminal record expunged. This cleared her past of any legal offenses and allowed her to pursue a higher education and find stable employment. With the help of legal aid and a pro-bono job counselor, Laura has since graduated from nursing school and is currently working at a local hospital while pursuing further education to specialize in pediatrics.
The Issues and Challenges Facing Legal Aid Services
As is the case in many jurisdictions, the high demand for legal aid services in Summit County presents a significant challenge for providers. Rural areas face particular demand pressures, affecting the ability of programs to meet the needs of clients within their rural counties. Much of the challenge is tied to funding difficulties. Legal aid programs in Summit County are particularly affected in this regard. Many programs rely on state or legal funding streams that are not predictable from year to year. Competing demands for limited resources makes funding essential to program success. In Summit County, case management systems, collaboration with other entities, mentoring relationships and volunteer attorney programs have helped to lessen the impact of funding gaps.
How to Contribute to Legal Aid Efforts
The Summit County legal community is no stranger to aiding the less fortunate. Here you can get information about how you can support legal aid initiatives in our area. There are numerous ways to support the programs and staff of the Akron Bar Association’s Legal Aid Program: The Akron Bar Association’s Legal Aid Program serves low and moderate-income residents of Summit County with emergency civil legal services free of charge. The legal aid office has handled over 2,000 legal cases per year for the past 10 years. Volunteer attorneys generously donate their time and expertise to help the legal aid program serve people in need who live in Summit County. Because the need is so great and the staff limited, sometimes legal aid can’t handle every case referred to them , especially long, complex cases. At Legal Aid, volunteer lawyers work side-by-side with staff counsel on a regular basis to help clients gain access to the justice system. In 2014, 103 attorneys donated their select areas of expertise in order to expand and enhance Legal Aid’s existing services to the community. Office volunteers help screen callers, file and assemble documents for various civil legal cases and refer callers to agencies who can oftentimes help them. Some volunteers assist Legal Aid attorneys in their neighborhoods through pro se court nights, which help those who can’t afford an attorney. Still other office volunteers work behind the scenes with the Fund Development Department to raise monetary support for Legal Aid’s work.
