Additionally, many law schools offer free or low-cost legal services through the efforts of law students supervised by licensed attorneys. Call the nearest law school for further information about their legal clinic. Legal aid offices generally offer assistance with a variety of legal problems, including those involving landlord-tenant issues, public benefits, credit and utilities disputes, and family law matters such as divorce, adoption, and guardianship cases. These are law firms that specialize in providing low-cost legal help with simple matters such as wills and uncomplicated divorces. If you are a member of a labor or credit union, assistance may be available through a prepaid legal service plan.
Members can contact a specified attorney and receive free or discounted legal services.
This arrangement encourages members to seek legal advice before potential problems arise and costs escalate. Plans are also available to persons who may or may not be part of a group and who purchase prepaid legal services on an individual basis through an insurance company or other marketer. Plan benefits should be reviewed carefully as they vary from limited access to comprehensive services. If your case involves small monetary damages, you may want to consider going to small claims court. This procedure usually is simple, inexpensive, and quicker than other court proceedings.