Legal

Results: 26

• Adoption Legal Services (1)
  FT-3000.0300

  Adoption Legal Services

  FT-3000.0300
  
  Programs that provide assistance for people who want to independently adopt a child, legally relinquish a child for adoption or initiate or respond to litigation which involves the placement or removal of a child.
• Advance Medical Directives (1)
  FT-2700.0500

  Advance Medical Directives

  FT-2700.0500
  
  Programs that provide assistance for people who want to use the tools appropriate in their state to express their wishes regarding future medical treatment should they become incapacitated and/or to name the individual they would like to make health care decisions on their behalf. Included are programs that provide copies of necessary forms as well as those that help people complete them.
• Birth Certificates (9)
  DF-7000.1200

  Birth Certificates

  DF-7000.1200
  
  Programs that maintain and, where appropriate, provide copies of birth certificates, i.e., documents which certify the date and place of a person's birth as well as his/her parentage. Available in most jurisdictions are authorized copies which are required to obtain a driver’s license, passport, Social Security card and other services related to an individual’s identity; and informational copies which cannot be used to establish a person’s identity. Only individuals designated by law have access to authorized copies of a person's birth certificate.
• Child Support Assistance/Enforcement (1)
  FT-3000.1600

  Child Support Assistance/Enforcement

  FT-3000.1600
  
  Programs that provide assistance which helps to ensure that parents fulfill their mutual obligation to financially support and provide health care for their children. Included are services for people who want to locate an absent parent; establish paternity; establish a child support order; request that the non-custodial parent provide health insurance for a child in conjunction with a child support order; change the amount of a child support award; dispute a child support award; or enforce payment of child support monies in cases where the supporting parent is delinquent in paying or refuses to pay or make health insurance arrangements altogether. Child support is money paid by one parent to another for the maintenance, including the education, of their children following the dissolution of their marriage or other relationship. Non-custodial parents enrolled in an insurance plan at work may be required to include the child under this coverage while those not covered by any insurance plan may be required to obtain medical coverage, if available at a reasonable cost. Child support assistance/enforcement may be provided by private attorneys, legal clinics, family law facilitators' offices or child support enforcement programs which are available in all states, often as a component of the district attorney's office.
• Child Support Wage Assignment Assistance (1)
  FT-9200.1500

  Child Support Wage Assignment Assistance

  FT-9200.1500
  
  Programs that provide legal assistance for people who want to petition the court to transfer the right to collect wages earned by their ex-spouses to themselves in cases where the ex-spouse is under court order to pay child support and fails to pay as required. Under this arrangement, the amount of the child support check is taken from the delinquent parent's paycheck and sent directly to the parent who has custody of the child.
• Comprehensive Immigration/Naturalization Services (2)
  FT-3600.1500

  Comprehensive Immigration/Naturalization Services

  FT-3600.1500
  
  Programs that provide a wide variety of legal and supportive services (which may include information, counseling, application completion and filing assistance and/or legal representation, when required) for immigrants, nonimmigrant visa applicants, asylum seekers and lawful permanent residents who are seeking naturalization. Issues may include procedures for obtaining student, visitor and employment-based visas; family immigration; asylee status; lawful permanent residence status; and/or citizenship.
• Death Certificates (8)
  DF-7000.1700-300

  Death Certificates

  DF-7000.1700-300
  
  Programs that issue, maintain and, where appropriate, provide access to or copies of the official documents that certify that an individual has died. Death certificates specify the cause of death and are generally signed by an attending or examining physician. Available in most jurisdictions are authorized copies which may be required to obtain death benefits, claim insurance proceeds, notify Social Security and access other services related to an individual’s identity; and informational copies which cannot be used to establish identity. Only individuals designated by law have access to authorized copies of a person's death certificate.
• Discrimination Assistance (2)
  FT-1800

  Discrimination Assistance

  FT-1800
  
  Programs that provide assistance for people who believe that they have been treated unfairly or denied normal privileges based on their age, gender, race or ethnic origin, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status.
• Domestic/Family Violence Legal Services (1)
  FT-3000.1750

  Domestic/Family Violence Legal Services

  FT-3000.1750
  
  Programs that provide information and guidance and/or representation in court proceedings for individuals who have been abused in an intimate relationship and/or for people who are facing a summary conviction offence or criminal charge for perpetrating abuse. Included are domestic violence law clinics and other legal assistance programs that represent victims of domestic abuse at restraining order hearings or in other civil or criminal actions involving charges against an abuser. Most also represent the person's interests in complexities that arise as part of the legal process such as restitution, payment of debts or child support, custody and visitation and property control. Some programs may also represent victims of domestic abuse who have been charged with a crime and/or handle cases involving accusations of child abuse filed by one parent against the other, abuse of an elderly person by an adult child or abuse of an adult child by a parent.
• General Crime Victim Assistance (6)
  FN-1900.2500

  General Crime Victim Assistance

  FN-1900.2500
  
  Programs that provide a variety of supportive services for victims of crimes and their families which may include general emotional support, crisis counseling, information about police investigative procedures, liaison to police personnel, assistance in completing and filing applications for reimbursement of crime-related expenses or losses, information about the mechanics of court proceedings, advice concerning court appearances, court accompaniment services, assistance in preparing victim impact statements and referrals for other needed services such as medical treatment, shelter away from home, transportation, child care, financial assistance and protective services.
• General Legal Aid (10)
  FT-3200

  General Legal Aid

  FT-3200
  
  Programs that provide legal counseling and/or representation for low-income individuals who need assistance in routine legal matters, usually in the area of bankruptcy, housing, public benefits, family law, elder law or immigration/naturalization.
• Guardians ad Litem (2)
  FJ-2600

  Guardians ad Litem

  FJ-2600
  
  Individuals appointed by the court to represent, in a particular lawsuit, the interests of minors, people judged to be incompetent or people unborn or unascertained who may have a future interest in the property involved in the litigation. These special guardians may also serve as advocates for dependent children pending settlement of their cases in dependency court; and are usually attorneys but may also be court appointed special advocates (CASA volunteers).
• Guardians ad Litem Volunteer Opportunities (3)
  PX-1850.2500

  Guardians ad Litem Volunteer Opportunities

  PX-1850.2500
  
  Organizations that are actively seeking individuals with the requisite skills and experience who are willing to work as court appointed special advocates on a voluntary basis without remuneration representing the interests of abused, neglected or abandoned children involved in family court proceedings.
• Housing Discrimination Assistance (2)
  FT-1800.3000

  Housing Discrimination Assistance

  FT-1800.3000
  
  Programs that provide assistance for people who believe that they have been denied an opportunity to purchase, lease or rent the home or apartment of their choice due to their age, gender, family composition (including families with children under the age of 18 and pregnant women), race or color, nationality, religion, disability, sexual orientation or marital status, actions that are prohibited by the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 and the federal Fair Housing Act Amendments Act of 1988 in the U.S. Federal fair housing law also extends limited protection to recovering alcoholics who actively and regularly participate in a medically based treatment or AA program, and people with a drug use disorder including those who have prior convictions for illegal drug use (but not for drug dealing or manufacture). Assistance may also be available to other individuals who are protected from housing discrimination by state or local laws with a broader set of protected categories, or which cover properties that are exempt from federal fair housing laws but are protected under state law.
• Immigration/Naturalization Legal Services (1)
  FT-3600

  Immigration/Naturalization Legal Services

  FT-3600
  
  Programs that provide legal assistance for immigrants, nonimmigrant visa applicants, asylum seekers and lawful permanent residents who are seeking naturalization. Services are generally provided by nonprofit immigration law offices and may involve information and consultation about benefits under immigration law including procedures for obtaining student, visitor and employment-based visas; family immigration; asylee status; lawful permanent residence status; or citizenship.
• Landlord/Tenant Dispute Resolution (2)
  FT-4500.4600

  Landlord/Tenant Dispute Resolution

  FT-4500.4600
  
  Programs that help tenants and landlords resolve disputes regarding security and other rental deposits, unsanitary conditions, failure to make repairs, privacy, notice requirements, excessive rent increases, nonpayment of rent, neglect or damage to property, overcrowding or other grievances.
• Lawyer Referral Services (2)
  FT-4800

  Lawyer Referral Services

  FT-4800
  
  Programs that maintain lists of private attorneys and link people who need legal assistance with lawyers who specialize in the required area of law.
• Legal Counseling (8)
  FP-4000

  Legal Counseling

  FP-4000
  
  Programs that are staffed by lawyers who offer information and guidance regarding legal matters, proposed lines of conduct, claims or contentions including opinions on the party's rights, responsibilities and liabilities; and who offer suggestions for an appropriate course of action, but do not represent clients in court.
• Legal Information Services (3)
  TJ-3200.4500

  Legal Information Services

  TJ-3200.4500
  
  Programs that provide information about specific legal problems and procedures that interested individuals can access on a website or in person, or by telephone, email, chat, text or other communication channel. Information may be in a self-serve, browsable format (for example a web resource directory or library of audio recordings) or provided by live agents with expertise in the field. Also included are legal aid services, bar associations and other programs that provide basic information about family law, landlord/tenant law, immigration law, consumer law, elder law, patient rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, the criminal justice system, the civil court system and other legal topics via workshops, classes, speaking engagements, printed materials, video tutorials, websites and other similar educational avenues.
• Name Change Assistance (1)
  FT-5900

  Name Change Assistance

  FT-5900
  
  Programs that provide assistance for people who want to file a petition to legally change their name.
• Notary Public Services (1)
  FT-6100

  Notary Public Services

  FT-6100
  
  Public officials who are authorized by the state to administer oaths and affirmations, take affidavits and depositions, attest to the authenticity of signatures and take acknowledgment of and certify deeds and other conveyances.
• Parental Visitation Monitoring (2)
  PH-6000.6500

  Parental Visitation Monitoring

  PH-6000.6500
  
  Programs that provide supervised visitation for people ordered by the court to visit their minor children only in the presence of a neutral, responsible person. Also included are programs that link parents with people who are trained to act as monitors.
• Passports (4)
  DF-7000.6650

  Passports

  DF-7000.6650
  
  Public sector offices known as passport acceptance facilities that have been authorized by the U.S. Department of State to accept and verify the documents, applicant signatures and identity for passport applications; place all of the documents and required photos into a specially sealed, tamperproof envelope that may only be opened by State Department officials; and forward them for processing. This is required for ALL passport applicants for a new adult passport, child (minor) passport, or lost, stolen or damaged passport applications. Most passport acceptance facilities are found in local post offices, county clerk's offices and some library locations. Passports are official documents which identify citizens, serve as written authorization from government authorities for citizens to travel abroad and, in effect, request foreign powers to allow bearers to enter and pass freely and safely. U.S. passports can be renewed by mail provided that the old passport was issued within the last 15 years, that the individual was age 16 or older at the time, and that, if applicable, proof of name change is provided. The old valid passport, a color passport photo, a completed DS-82 form and a check or money order for the fee must be submitted.
• Paternity/Maternity Establishment (1)
  LF-5350.6500

  Paternity/Maternity Establishment

  LF-5350.6500
  
  Programs that help to determine the probability of parenthood in disputes involving a claim or denial of paternity or maternity by analyzing blood and tissue samples from the assumed father or mother for compatibility with the child's blood and tissue. Included are programs that establish claims of fatherhood or motherhood in situations where immigrants are seeking family-based visas for their offspring or parents.
• Post Disaster Legal Counseling Services (2)
  TH-2900.6800

  Post Disaster Legal Counseling Services

  TH-2900.6800
  
  Programs staffed by volunteer lawyers who provide counseling and advice at no cost for low-income individuals and families who need assistance with insurance claims, landlord/tenant issues, mortgage/foreclosure issues, home repair contracts and contractors, replacement of wills and other legal documents destroyed in the disaster, drafting powers of attorney, consumer protection matters and other disaster-related legal issues. People who require further assistance are generally referred to a private lawyer who may be able to represent them at no fee or for a reduced fee. Included are programs that operate under the agreement between FEMA and the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association and programs offered by local bar associations or local legal services programs. Legal assistance in the FEMA/Bar Association program is limited to cases that will not produce a fee for the attorney, such as lawsuits in which the lawyer receives a percentage of money obtained through the suit.
• Refugee Resettlement Services (1)
  PH-1450.7000

  Refugee Resettlement Services

  PH-1450.7000
  
  Government-appointed nonprofit organizations, frequently associated with the faith community, that provide resettlement services through a network of local affiliates for refugee populations designated by the U.S. Department of State. These organizations take the lead in helping newly arrived refugees or refugee families make an adjustment to their new home and community. Services provided by local affiliates may include reception for arriving refugees; provision of a "welcome kit" of immediate necessities; periodic visits with the family during the early days of their transition; collection and provision of household goods; cultural orientation and ESL classes; and assistance in locating housing and employment, using public transportation and identifying other needed services.