Understanding Free Legal Aid Services

Free legal aid services play a vital and supportive role in ensuring access to justice for individuals who cannot afford the cost of representation. For low-income residents in Montgomery County, PA, these services are an invaluable resource that can help them successfully address their legal issues. At their core, free legal aid services provide individuals with the legal guidance they need to navigate their case efficiently and effectively. In many cases, these services are the only source of legal representation that a person will have . With the help of free legal aid services, county residents can pursue or defend claims such as:
• Child custody,
• Child support,
• Divorce,
• Immigration,
• Foreclosure,
• Bankruptcy,
• Landlord-tenant issues,
• Consumer protection guidelines and
• Protection from abuse (PFA). Through pro bono attorneys and volunteer law students from area law schools, legal aid services make it possible for all people—regardless of income—to seek legal representation. Whether through workshops, one-on-one consultations or limited legal representation, these services are indispensable to many people struggling in difficult situations.

Who Qualifies for Free Legal Aid?

In Montgomery County, PA, income limits are the primary criteria that determine who qualifies for free legal aid. Most organizations will require that your total household income be at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, which are updated annually. Keep in mind also that the types of cases covered can be limited to certain areas of practice. Housing cases are one of the most frequently accepted cases. Some organizations may also take civil cases – such as divorce, custody, bankruptcy, and wills – when income follows the guidelines and an attorney is available to take the case. However, organizations may not cover family and criminal cases if they fall outside of the established case limits. Other factors that may affect eligibility include: Be sure to reach out to a legal aid organization as soon as possible to determine if you have financial eligibility for free legal services.

Key Players in Free Legal Aid

Here are some primary organizations in Montgomery County that offer free legal aid and potential services or referrals:
Montgomery County Bar Association
A legal referral group compiling resources to assist indigents and those who have been denied legal aid. The court also has self-help resources and general assistance in every courtroom.
Contact Information:
Montgomery County Courthouse
Montgomery County Bar Association
2 E. Airy St.
Norristown, PA 19401
Phone: 610-279-9660
Montgomery County Public Defenders Office
Provides legal representation to low-income individuals accused of crimes.
Contact Information:
Montgomery County Public Defenders Office
Hall of Justice
2019 Snyder Ave.
Norristown, PA 19401
Phone: 610-278-7800
SeniorLAW Center
Provides legal services to people age 60 and older, with a focus on economic security and independence, as well as protection from abuse and fraud.
Contact Information:
The Pennsylvania Bar Association
PBJ Center for Professional Volunteer Programs
100 South Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: 800-932-0311
Montgomery County Bar Association
A legal referral group compiling resources to assist indigents and those who have been denied legal aid. The court also has self-help resources and general assistance in every courtroom.

Applying for Free Legal Aid

Each county or area served by a legal aid organization has its own application process. First Circuit Court does not provide legal aid to everyone. Both an applicant’s income and the type of case for which aid is sought will determine whether assistance will be available.
Persons seeking assistance should be prepared with the following information:

  • Whether the client requests representation. There are limited numbers of attorneys ready to assist with legal issues and they require assistance in identifying cases for which an attorney can be assigned to represent the client.
  • Demographics of the applicant and, if applicable, the demographics of any member of the applicant’s family that the applicant seeks assistance for on the same case. This information is used to identify eligibility for free legal assistance.
  • The type of legal issue for which the applicant requests assistance. The courts and legal aid agencies need to know what type of issue it is. If necessary, get help from a local resource, such as a public library staff person.
  • Any documents that relate to an incident that gives rise to the legal issue. These include any document that gives the legal issue knowledge, any document that demonstrates steps that have been taken to address the problem, any document that is a direct threat to the welfare of the applicant or other family member, and any documents that otherwise relate to the applicant’s situation, including letters from collection agencies, a landlord, or a mortgage company and proposals for settlement from an opposing party.
  • A description of the outcome that the applicant believes to be appropriate. Knowing what the applicant would like to see happen on the issue is important to knowing whether free legal assistance is possible.

Alternative Options to Legal Aid

Free legal aid isn’t your only option. While it would be wonderful to think that everyone needing legal aid could access it, the unfortunate reality is that this isn’t the case. Whether you’re living above the income cutoff or facing issues beyond a legal aid lawyer’s abilities, there are alternatives available.
Legal Clinics:
If you’re facing an issue that can’t be addressed by a legal aid attorney, there are still options. Legal clinics aim to help clients with specific problems, such as family violence, landlord-tenant disputes, discrimination, or consumer fraud. Clinics cover a range of issues that may be present in our society, but can’t be addressed using pro bono attorneys. Clinics are offered by a number of organizations in Montgomery County including the Domestic Violence Advocacy Project, the Montgomery Child Advocacy Unit , and Emancipation Coalition.
Sliding Scale Pro Bono Attorneys:
If you can’t afford a pro bono attorney but also don’t qualify for free legal aid, contact the Montgomery Bar Association. They maintain a list of community partner agencies where you may be able to find a pro bono attorney, and they refer people to private attorneys in the area.
Some pro bono attorneys charge fees that are based on your earnings. Hourly rates can be adjusted to meet your financial needs if you demonstrate true financial hardship. Please remember that not all attorneys are interested in taking on pro bono clients.
Pro Bono Lawyers:
Montgomery Bar Association also maintains a list of pro bono attorneys in the Montgomery County area, many of which are represented in their pro bono services directory. For representation from a Montgomery County pro bono attorney, complete the Montgomery Pro Bono Application and submit to the Montgomery Bar Association to determine availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are these services confidential? A: Yes, all information shared in a legal aid appointment is kept confidential. Your trust is our priority.
Q: How often can I go to the Montgomery County Access to Justice Project? A: You may visit the project as often as needed. That means you are welcome to return until your legal problem is resolved.
Q: Will I be able to see the same lawyer every time? A: Again, the service is open and available to all members of the community, so the same lawyer may not be available every time. There are over thirty volunteer attorneys who rotate in and out on various days. Maybe even yours!
Q: Can I bring multiple legal issues to a single appointment? A: The Montgomery County Access to Justice Project helps with a variety of issues, however, it is also important to make sure all issues are addressed thoroughly. Depending on the complexity of your problems, a separate appointment may be necessary to resolve all issues.
Q: What if I need to follow up on my visit after the appointment is over? A: Follow-up assistance is offered at the end of the appointment.

Notable Success Stories: Free Legal Aid

The local community has witnessed numerous life-changing stories since the inception of free legal aid in Montgomery County. Here are a few testimonials from satisfied individuals whose lives were positively impacted by the services offered:
Marie S., Divorce Client: "I didn’t know where to turn when my husband and I decided to go our separate ways. Not only did the legal aid provide me with outstanding representation in my divorce, but they also referred me to a financial aid counseling service to guide my plans for the future."
Mark T., Family Law Client: "I was searching for a free lawyer after being served with custody papers by my ex-wife. The legal aid’s Montgomery location had an attorney who specialized in child custody cases . As a low-income individual, I was so relieved to have competent representation at no cost."
Jenna R., Consumer Issues Client: "The legal aid got my car repo-ed by accident! I called their hotline after they sent me a bill for the car, and although they made the error, they worked very quickly to get it returned to me before I even knew what happened."
Several anonymized client reviews: "I cannot speak highly enough about the service. These lawyers work tirelessly to see that the law is upheld." "I value the free legal service particularly because I am unable to afford the high prices that many lawyers ask for." "Their ethics are top notch, and they provide the community with excellent representation."