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.
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