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Free Legal Services for Low-Income Storm Victims; Washington Lawyers Activate Hotline

(click the above link for more information - you will be redirected to the Washington State Bar Association website)

The Washington State Bar Association has activated a hotline for low-income residents needing legal help to recover from the recent storms.  Storm victims who need legal assistance but who cannot afford an attorney can call the hotline at 866-519-7099 and leave a message. 

Sponsored by the Skagit County Bar Association, SCCAA's Volunteer Lawyer Program offers free legal assistance to eligible low-income Skagit County residents. The program is staffed by an Attorney/Program Manager and a Legal Assistant.  Each year, Skagit County attorneys donated about 1,500 volunteer hours to nearly 500 people for more than $260,000 worth of legal services.  Services include pro se (self-representation) family law and bankruptcy forms and instructions, weekly legal advice clinics, monthly bankruptcy clinics, and pro bono representation. Program staff also assist Spanish-speaking individuals in preparing pro se family law forms.

For legal assistance, call CLEAR at 1-888-201-1014, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., or Tuesday 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Staffed by attorneys and paralegals, CLEAR screens clients for eligibility and provides them with brief advice and services.  If further assistance is needed, CLEAR staff will refer the client to the Volunteer Lawyer Program.  The Volunteer Lawyer Program can be reached directly at (360) 416-7585.

Family Law Legal Clinics
Volunteer attorneys staff legal clinics every Friday to answer questions about family law matters, including divorce, custody, child support, and parentage.  Eligible clients are scheduled for a 30-minute consultation with a volunteer attorney who can advise clients and review pro se (self-representation) forms.  If clients need further representation,  volunteer attorneys may take on the case themselves or refer the case back to the Program Manager who will attempt to find a volunteer attorney to assist that client. 

Bankruptcy Clinics

Monthly Bankruptcy Clinics are offered for clients who have questions about bankruptcy or who need assistance with bankruptcy pro se forms.  Clients should come to the clinic with a complete list of their bills, as well as information about income and assets.  The clinic includes a 30-minute videotape about Chapter 7 Bankruptcy.

Other Legal Questions

For civil cases that don't involve family law or bankruptcy, volunteer attorneys can provide free consultations in their office.   Clients must complete the same screening procedure to make sure that they are eligible.  The Program Manager will review cases and refer them to a volunteer attorney if appropriate.

Forms and Instructions
Pro se packets are available for family law matters, such as divorce, parentage, custody, and child support and bankruptcy.  The Volunteer Lawyer Program also has forms to respond to an eviction notice.  The packets are sold for a nominal fee that can be waived if a client is unable to pay.

Pro Bono Representation
If a client needs assistance beyond the legal clinics and pro se forms, and the case falls within the program priorities, the Program Manager will attempt to find a volunteer attorney to take the case.  Whether or not an attorney can accept a case pro bono depends on their area of practice and their schedule at the time.