Understanding the Scope of Legal Aid Services in Citrus County, Florida

What is Legal Aid?

Legal aid is a term used to refer to a number of services that exist to provide legal information and help to those in need, at no cost or for a small fee. Legal aid services can include information and legal advice, legal representation in court and other forms of support for low-income individuals struggling to navigate the complex justice system.
As real property lawyers in Florida, we are aware of the importance of legal aid services for people facing foreclosure . According to the Florida Bar, there are 71 legal aid offices in Florida, working with pro bono (volunteer) attorneys and paralegals to assist individuals who otherwise lack resources such as education, legal rights information and financial means to get the representation they need.
Hours of operation, eligibility requirements, areas of law served and other services provided by each legal aid office in Florida will vary widely, but there is a wide range of assistance available to people of all ages. Those who are able to access resources from legal aid can get assistance in legal matters related to family law, consumer matters, housing and fair housing, public benefits, probate, elder issues, immigration and civil rights, among other areas.

Legal Aid Services in Citrus County

Legal aid services in Citrus County are provided by a local office that operates under the larger umbrella of the statewide legal aid network. Specifically, the family law programs are handled by the Family Law Legal Advocacy Program housed out of the Citrus County courthouse. A staff of paralegals and dedicated volunteers provide the family law program pro bono legal help that can include a divorce with or without children, paternity with or without time sharing, modification of all types, and domestic violence injunctions. Legal advice and self-help classes for family law matters are also available.
Housing issues are another reason local residents seek legal assistance. Landlords and tenants often have disputes that need to be settled. In Citrus County, there is a legal aid housing program to help people with both free legal assistance and advice.
Family law classes are taught on Tuesdays at the Citrus County courthouse. Free legal advice is provided on Thursdays to attendees of the classes. Applications for the family law programs may be completed in person prior to the start of the class. Spanish speaking services are offered for those that need them.
In person assistance is available Monday through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. A practice area dedicated to Citrus County was created for the legal aid program in 2007 through the generosity of a local attorney. Without physical space, many district programs would require staff to work out of their homes which can drastically limit services provided. Law surrounding domestic violence is also covered through the legal aid services in Citrus County.

Who is Eligible for Citrus County Legal Aid

To qualify for legal aid services in Citrus County, applicants are generally subject to several criteria. These requirements may not apply to all legal aid organizations, and individuals should contact each charity for its specific qualifications.
In terms of financial criteria, legal aid organizations in Citrus County are typically designed to assist low income residents. For example, many programs only assist clients who earn 150% of the Federal Income Poverty Guidelines or less. Consequently, clients must substantiate income levels through documentation. Common documentation includes copies of pay stubs, tax returns, W-2 forms and Social Security award letters. Most programs require one month’s worth of income documentation from all household members, and all pages of each document must be submitted.
Legal aid programs in Citrus County are also likely to require applicants to have valid "legal" issues. These issues include housing problems, family issues and public benefits matters. Some legal aid organizations may also serve those in need of help with employment issues, and some charities may work with uninsured or disabled clients who have certain medical conditions.
Other factors that may impact eligibility for legal aid services depends on one’s household composition. For instance, legal aid programs may decline service if a client possesses several vehicles, has net assets that exceed $5000 or is remarried. In these instances, it’s possible that assistance will be limited and applicants who are otherwise eligible may not qualify for some programs.
Applicants for legal aid services in Citrus County must also be able to pay related case costs in some instances. Such costs can include filing fees, witness fees and taxi fares. Some legal aid programs charge a nominal fee for their services. In these cases, applicants may be required to provide a small co-payment to the organization that’s providing assistance.

How to Apply for Legal Aid

If you are interested in applying for legal aid in Citrus County, here’s how you can get started.
The first step in this process is to determine whether you qualify for legal assistance. To be eligible for legal aid services, you must be able to show evidence of financial need. This is usually done by providing the agency with proof of income for every person living in your household. This includes any supplemental income (i.e. Social Security income, unemployment compensation, workers’ compensation, Alimony/Child support payments), along with any interest or dividends you may have. It’s also important to provide information about how many dependents you support through additional documentation (such as tax returns) .
Once the agency has confirmed that you are eligible for assistance, you will likely have to fill out an initial interview form. This is where you will provide them with the contact information for the opposing party’s attorney (if applicable), as well as any details regarding the nature of your legal issue. Be as thorough as possible so that the agency has all the details necessary to find a capable attorney to represent you.
Finally, you should prepare to wait. Depending on the agency’s caseload, it could take a while for them to review your application and contact you. In the meantime, try to avoid making any decisions or taking any actions that could jeopardize your case.

Local Organizations Providing Legal Aid

In Citrus County, there are several organizations that offer free and low-cost legal services to local residents.
Bay Area Legal Services is a non-profit law firm that serves Citrus County and the greater Tampa Bay area. The organization provides legal assistance in many areas of family law, including divorce, family law appeals, guardianships, domestic violence, and more. Financial eligibility and citizenship status do not affect your ability to get legal help from Bay Area Legal Services. There may not be enough attorneys on hand to assist everyone who contacts them, but they will try to assist all those in need. 4154 Evergreen Dr, Spring Hill, FL 34608 The Citrus County branch of the Florida Rural Legal Services program provides free legal aid services to people with low- or fixed-incomes in Citrus, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lake, Lee, and Sumter counties. Their attorneys and staff can answer questions over the phone, by email, or in person, and they also provide community outreach services at local libraries and facilities. The Inverness office of Florida Rural Legal Services provides free legal assistance for a wide range of civil legal issues such as family law, landlord/tenant disputes, consumer issues, immigration, mental health, and social security. Some services like family law and elder law are only offered in conjunction with other organizations in the area.

Citrus County Success Stories

"My experience with Bay Area Legal Services and the Citrus County Branch was a great one. They helped me out in a very difficult personal situation. I do not know what I would have done without them."
"[My attorney] was amazing and spoke to me in a way that as a struggling single mother I could easily understand all the legal terms and questions. She was very helpful , informative and understanding of my financial circumstances. She is a wonderful asset to Bay Legal and a great attorney."
"Anyone would be lucky to work with [my attorney]. He went way above and beyond to help me and took on my case when others either wouldn’t or couldn’t. He saved my daughter’s future."
"[My attorney] was such a big help with my problem. Unfortunately I have had to use her more than once and she has been a Godsend each time. She researches, defends, and wins with no cost to me, which works for me!"