15. 7 FAQs about Legal Issues

Legal issues can happen to anyone, regardless of their financial background. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of them beforehand. It will help you move forward with less stress when you confront a legal matter.

Here, we will look into seven different FAQs on legal issues. Let's get right into this matter and explore it in detail.

What is Pro Bono?

Pro Bono is a way through which law professionals provide free legal services to underprivileged people. It is also known as Pro Bono Publico in Latin. You can use this service to handle civil issues, as there is no legal aid available for civil cases in the US.

However, there are different eligibility conditions you have to fulfill to get the benefits of the Pro Bono service. Most importantly, your annual income has to be 125% less than the federal average. If not, you may not receive Pro Bono aid from attorneys or law students.

Attorneys provide Pro Bono service because of various reasons. It can range from bringing justice to fulfilling the mandatory guidelines set by the American Bar Association.

Who can get a Free Lawyer?

The US government believes that everyone is equal in front of the law. To initiate equality, the government offers legal assistance for criminal cases. Although the court grants free aid for criminal cases, it isn't available for civil cases. In civil cases, you have to rely on Pro Bono services or other discounted financial help from NGOs.

Coming to criminal cases, the court provides a free lawyer when the court identifies that you can't pay the legal fees. There is a high chance of you ending up in prison. Therefore, when you don't have the financial standing to hire a lawyer, the court will allocate a free lawyer to look into your case. Another condition where you can get a free lawyer for criminal cases is when the court declares that you are indignant.

However, you can't attain free legal aid for non-criminal cases. But, if you are facing a civil case related to family law or other matters, you can opt for Pro Bono services offered by different lawyers and law students. Here, your income has to be 125% less than the federal average to become eligible for attaining Pro Bono services.

What to Do If I Can't Get a Free Lawyer?

There are different benchmarks for attaining a free lawyer to look into your case in the US. It is different for criminal and civil cases in the US. If you aren't eligible to get a free lawyer, you can search for services that provide low fees or discounted legal assistance. You can connect with your local bar association to learn more about such services. There will be NGOs as well that can guide you in this matter.

If you can't afford a lawyer or hire one, the next best option is to gain legal information and do-it-yourself toolkits. You can acquire legal information and prepare yourself for handling the case. Here, you can be your representative in your court to convey your side and attain justice.

What is LSC? What Do They Do?

Legal Services Corporation or LSC is an initiative funded by the federal government to help low-income Americans. LSC, established by Congress in 1974, functions in all US states, including the District of Columbia and US territories. Here, they help 132 NGOs in the US with financial assistance to provide legal help to take the necessary steps.

As per the guidelines, those of you whose annual income is less than 125% of the federal average can attain the benefits provided by LSC. You can find information on the different LSC-funded organizations by visiting the official website of Legal Services Corporation. From here, you can locate a nearby LSC-funded organization and connect with them directly to seek help.

When to Seek Legal Advice?

There are different scenarios when you have to seek legal advice to be on the safe side. They include:

1. If there is a dispute that you can't settle verbally, and there is a risk of losing your money and other assets, you can reach out for legal help. For instance, if you are having a land dispute with one of your business partners, it is best to consult a lawyer to deal with the issue. Here, it becomes highly essential if the opposition has sued you in a lawsuit.

2. If you and your partner face challenges in your marriage and decide to go in separate ways, opt for legal advice. Here, your lawyer can assist with negotiations, settlements, spousal support, child custody, etc. Since each case is unique, seeking legal help can be beneficial in handling the case in a better way.

3. If you have faced family abuse, domestic violence, or anything related to personal injury, you have to acquire legal advice from a licensed attorney.

4. It is integral that you seek legal assistance if you have faced unfair treatment from the government, employer, or anyone.

Apart from these, there are other situations where you would require legal attention too.

What All Legal Services Do Lawyers Provide?

There are a variety of legal services offered by lawyers in the US. You can find one based on your requirements by searching on the web or contacting your nearest law firm. There are criminal lawyers specialized in handling crime-based cases. When it comes to civil matters, there are lawyers looking into unemployment, family law, business, copyright claims, housing, taxing, public benefits, etc.,

For instance, if you face any issue with an apartment you have rented out, you can search for lawyers focusing on housing and tenancy-related concerns.