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Legal Help for Seniors in Los Angeles
If you’re 60 or older, you may find yourself in need of legal assistance from a professional. There are several sources available to senior citizens that can help you with the service you need. Let’s take a closer look into legal help for seniors in Los Angeles.
Legal Help for Seniors
Senior-hood can bring amazing experiences, treasured moments with loved ones, and more time to relax and simply enjoy life. With retirement comes more free time and the ability to slow down and take in the world.
Unfortunately, the golden years can also present new and unique legal challenges, including elder abuse, financial manipulation, scams, and fraud. This can cost elders money, time, peace of mind, and sometimes, even their own health and wellness.
Being able to seek senior legal services to protect your own rights is an important facet of our society. Yet, statistics show that most seniors avoid seeking legal counsel even after they are harmed by others. They may feel they cannot afford an attorney, or they may just be unaware of the senior legal services available to them.
To bridge the gap, more awareness is needed – and that’s exactly what this article intends to provide. Whether you are over the age of 65 yourself, or you simply love someone who is, the resources listed here are sure to help.
Senior Legal Services Program (by SFVBA Attorney Referral Service)
The SFVBA Attorney Referral Service is a proud sponsor of the Senior Legal Services program – A program dedicated to helping senior citizens find affordable senior legal services from experienced lawyers.
Appointments are held at the following three locations throughout the San Fernando Valley:
- Bernardi Multi-Purpose Community Center
6514 Sylmar Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91401 - ONEgeneration Senior Enrichment Center
18255 Victory Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335 - Alicia Broadus-Duncan Multipurpose Senior Center
11300 Glenoaks Blvd, Pacoima, CA 91331
Learn more about the Senior Legal Services Program.
Los Angeles Department on Aging (LADoA)
LADoA provides a variety of senior legal services and help for those living anywhere in Los Angeles County. They help with legal issues related to housing, consumer protection, SSI/SSD, nursing home laws, public entitlement, power of attorney, wills, legal aid, some civil suits, and any case in which you believe your rights have been violated.
LADoA operates out of the 16 different Multipurpose Senior Centers (MPC) scattered throughout the city. To find the closest office, see this map of available locations. Or, dial (800) 510-2020 to speak to a representative directly.
Legal Aid
Legal Aid mostly services low-income seniors, but may also provide pro bono advice and assistance where other barriers to hiring an attorney exist. They can assist with virtually any area of law with the exception of civil lawsuits. In fact, Legal Aid is one of the largest sources of legal support for senior veterans and people fighting for the right to secure government benefits for disability and infirmity.
Most of California’s Legal Aid offices also host semi-regular free legal clinics. There, seniors can access advice, information, or even referrals to other services.
To get in touch with Legal Aid and/or apply for assistance, dial 800-399-4529 from anywhere within the state of California. Alternatively, you can visit any of the locations listed at this link in person.
Pro Bono Senior Legal Services
Nearly all lawyers in the state of California are required to provide a certain number of “pro bono,” or free, legal service hours per year. This helps to ensure that people or groups who may not be able to hire their own lawyers get the help they need. This may be an option for seniors who need one-on-one support.
While it is possible to “call around” to lawyers who specialize in the area of law you need assistance in, there is no guarantee they will agree to take you. Some lawyers save their pro bono hours for schools, colleges, and non-profit organizations. Others have months-long waitlists and cannot accept any new clients.
Call the California Bar at 800-843-9053, or the American Bar at (800) 285-2221. Both organizations maintain vetted lists of pro bono lawyers and their specialties and can help you make the right connection.
Healthcare and Elder Law Programs Corporation (H.E.L.P.)
H.E.L.P. is a special 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose primary focus is on empowering seniors through legal education, advice, and referrals. They provide both telephone and walk-in services, as well as a long list of online resources, guides, and information packages to help seniors better understand the law.
H.E.L.P. doesn’t provide full pro bono senior legal services. However, they do provide one-on-one sessions with attorneys to seniors whose needs are limited to simple guidance and advice. During these sessions, elders can ask for advice on power of attorney, wills, trusts, health care matters, government benefits, probate court avoiders, elder abuse, fraud, scams, estate management, and more.
In some cases, H.E.L.P. may also host legal education classes within the city of Los Angeles. Classes mostly focus on senior-specific legal concerns, and aim to empower elders to be better equipped to handle them when they arise.
To get in touch with H.E.L.P. or inquire about their services, use the form located at this link. Or, dial (310) 533-1996 from anywhere within the state of California.
Contra Costa Senior Legal Services (CCSLS)
CCSLS is one of the best-known providers of legal services for seniors in the state of California. They provide access to pro bono attorneys, free advice, clinics, education, referrals, and a wide variety of advocacy services. Clinics generally focus on senior-specific issues, such as estate planning, wills, legal advice, power of attorney matters, and Advance Health Care Directives.
Although CCSLS largely focuses on issues involving the criminal court, landlord-tenant disputes, finances, benefits, and healthcare, they are equipped to assist with virtually any area of law. However, they may or may not serve seniors involved in civil court cases depending on the nature of the case.
In certain situations, CCSLS may also provide full, pro bono legal representation. Generally, this service is only offered if the case involves consumer protection, debt, abuse, fraud, scams, housing issues, and/or financial abuse. They also provide access to special programs for seniors in long-term care.
CCSLS’s offices each focus on serving a certain location and/or a specific area of law. To determine which office you should contact, visit this link or dial 925-609-7900 to speak with a representative. You can also email them at legalhelp@ccsls.org.
Conclusion
Seniors may face special legal challenges, but there is no reason to face these difficulties alone. Reach out now on your own behalf or on behalf of someone you love. No matter how dire the issue seems, or how serious it feels, help and support is always available somewhere.
If you have any questions, please let us know.
Whether you need help with estate planning, preparing power of attorney, or any other legal matter that relates to elder law or preparing for the future, you may find it difficult to find an elder attorney, Los Angeles, if you’re not sure where to start your search.
Today, we’re exploring a few options so you know how to find the right attorney with confidence.
Here’s how to find a Los Angeles elder law attorney.
Elder Law Attorney, Los Angeles
Do you qualify yourself as a senior, even if you’re truly young at heart? No matter how youthful you feel, seniorhood will bring special legal challenges and decisions to the table that can be extremely frustrating to deal with. California’s elder law system is notoriously complex; even the most knowledgeable layperson may struggle to understand it at times.
The good news is that there’s absolutely no need to risk your assets or your rights by attempting to handle everything on your own. No matter how much or how little experience you have in navigating California’s complex legal system, a Los Angeles elder law attorney can help.
Whether you just want to finalize a will, or you need to protect your assets from abusive family members, this guide will help you find the “best of the best” the first time around.
What is “Elder Law,” Exactly?
The first step to finding the right lawyer is to understand why you might need an elder law specialist in the first place.
Elder law refers to a specific legal specialization that focuses on issues concerning older Americans. This includes planning your estate, writing a will, applying for Medi-Cal or Social Security Disability (SSD), or setting an advanced medical directive in case you become incapacitated.
“Elder law” also includes issues like scams and rip-off strategies from con artists who target seniors due to their naivety. The fact of the matter is that seniors are one of the most targeted groups in America for criminals. It may also involve protecting yourself or another senior in your family from financial abuse or manipulation.
While the legal definition of “elder” generally includes anyone over 60, there is no specific cut-off age for when someone can struggle with these types of concerns. It is very possible for someone to begin creating a will at, say, 45 or 50, rather than waiting until they become a senior. In fact, it’s highly advisable to plan for your golden years early, rather than waiting until problems arise!
Can I Really Afford a Lawyer?
Many people facing complex legal concerns worry about the financial load of hiring an attorney. Your financial situation needn’t prevent you from protecting your rights.
No matter what your income level, there are options available to ensure you have access to legal services. This is true even if you are low income (e.g., SSD) or no income at all (not working; relying on a family member).
The senior legal services program provided by the SFVBA provides affordable initial 20-minute consultations with highly-qualified volunteer attorneys.
Starting Your Search
Sometimes, the biggest challenge is locating which lawyers near you specialize in elder law. You have a handful of options available to aid you in your search.
- Call the California Bar: The California Bar maintains an in-house legal referral service and can help you review your options. They can also provide simple answers to basic questions, like how to tell if a lawyer is legitimate or what to do if you have a complaint.
- Use a lawyer referral service: An attorney referral service will help match you with the most qualified attorney near you. The process starts with a conversation about your legal matter, after which an attorney referral consultant will match you with the attorney best suited to help you with your case. This can be an excellent way to find your options if you’re feeling unsure about your search. There’s no need to worry about being misdirected or linked with an inappropriate choice, either, as the California Bar licenses and oversees all lawyer referral services in the state.
- Ask friends and family: Your own friends and family can be very helpful in your search if you trust their judgment, especially if they’ve used a local elder law attorney themselves. Ask them to tell you about their experience and share suggestions to help you create your list. Your accountant, tax person, doctor, or existing lawyer may be able to refer you to someone, too.
- Look around your neighborhood: Most popular lawyers use advertising, both online and locally, to reach new clients. It can be advantageous to look around your neighborhood for billboards, signs, and even storefronts while you handle everyday errands. Make a note of anyone with “elder law” or “senior law” on their advertisements.
How to Narrow Your Shortlist
Once you have a shortlist of options available, it’s time to narrow down your choices and verify their legitimacy. Start by calling the California Bar to confirm each lawyer has an active license to practice law. Also ask whether or not the lawyer has had complaints lodged against them, whether they have ever been disciplined, and if they have ever been suspended.
If complaints or disciplinary actions are present, assess them. A fine for late Bar fees is much different than a complaint of fraud. It’s up to you to choose whether the situation makes the attorney ineligible.
You should schedule at least one initial consultation with a small handful of attorneys who fit your needs. Ask them how successful they are, where they graduated, how much they charge (per item or per hour), how many cases they have handled, and how they generally communicate with clients. These questions should give you a sense of how they are to work with.
How to Make a Final Decision
At this point, you should have at least a baseline understanding of who might best suit your needs. Your last step should be to consider how you feel with the elder law attorney: do they make you feel comfortable? Do you feel respected, valued, and heard, and does the lawyer seem interested in your case? Make your decision based on these influences as well as all other information for best results.
