Legal services slates free or low-cost clinics at Price

By Sun Advocate

Carbon County residents who need legal help, but can’t afford an attorney have a new resource.
Free and Low-Cost Legal Service in Utah is designed to outline resources available throughout the state.
The publication is accessible online at www.andjusticeforall.org or in hard copy from the Utah State Bar, www.utahbar.org.
Utah Legal Services clinics are conducted on the second and fourth Monday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the 7th District Court, 149 East 100 South in Price.
Throughout the state, more than 50 legal clinics provide free or low cost legal services.
Some of the clinics are manned by volunteer attorneys and some have staff attorneys, indicated legal services.
Some of the attorneys provide advice and general information on specific types of cases at the clinics and some accept clients based on eligibility requirements.
For low-income individuals in the Castle Valley region, calling Utah Legal Services toll-free at 1-800-662-4245 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekday is the best place to begin.
A recorded message guides callers through the system and to an intake worker, who after screening for income, assets and type of problem will help determine the available resources.
Utah Legal Services strongly recommends that residents call prior to planning on attending a clinic.
The legal clinics are occasionally rescheduled or cancelled.
At the clinics, an attorney and volunteers will offer instruction, answer questions and help complete legal documents for civil proceedings.
Due to various schedule changes, local residents with Internet access may obtain the most current list at www.utahlegalservices.org.
In addition, more legal services are provided on a pro bono basis by Utah attorneys who volunteer time and expertise.
For example, the senior lawyer volunteer project assists seniors with a variety of legal issues, including estate planning, wills, power of attorney, medical directives and any other type of legal services seniors might need.
The Utah State Bar also provides links to and information on legal resources through its website, www.utahbar.org.
According to Utah Bar president Nathan Alder, one of the most important goals of the organization is to make sure all people have access to the justice system.
“The bar encourages Utah lawyers to provide pro bono services and most attorneys either participate in legal service programs or accept clients who can’t afford legal representation,” pointed out Alder.
Many of the free and low cost legal services and resources are housed under one roof at the Community Legal Center in Salt Lake City, located at 205 North 400 West.
The Disability Law Center, the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake and Utah Legal Services joined ranks and initiated a combined campaign to expand access to poor and disabled residents statewide by co-locating at the center.
The center is a project of Justice For All, an alliance of non-profit organizations dedicated to providing free, civil legal aid to Utah’s poor, elderly, disabled and ethnic minorities.
The center is the first collaboration of its kind in the nation among civil legal service providers and receives the major support from attorneys, law firms and charitable foundations.
Participating agencies set priority areas based upon current needs and resources.
Current services include assistance with matters involving family law, domestic violence, equal access to services for individuals with disabilities for elderly populations.
The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for holidays.