Legal Aid Society Palm Beach County Belle Glade

Contact Information

Name: Legal Aid Society Palm Beach County Belle Glade
Address: 38844 State Road 80, Belle Glade, FL - 33430
Phone: (561) 655-8944
Fax:

Service Information

West County Courthouse
By appointment only

Hours: Monday - Friday  9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. or by appointment

Services

Legal Aid provides services to financially eligible citizens of Palm Beach County in the following areas of law:
    Family Law: Divorce where there is domestic violence and/or custody of children is involved
    Domestic Violence: Extension of Restraining Order hearings
    Juvenile Law: Dependency & delinquency matters upon court appointment
    Immigration Law: Naturalization matters
    Elder Law: Abuse & exploitation of the elderly, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, housing and consumer matters
    Legal Matters Affecting HIV Infected Individuals: Employment, insurance, disability benefits, health care matters, housing and consumer matters
    Housing Discrimination: Discrimination based on race, sex, color, religion, national origin, handicap, familial status, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or gender identity and expression.


Qualifications


Generally, in order to be eligible for free legal assistance from the Legal Aid Society, your income cannot exceed 150% (or one and one-half times) the Federal Poverty Guidelines




Frequently Asked Questions


Does the Legal Aid Society handle criminal cases?
No, we do not. If you are charged with a criminal offense and cannot afford an attorney you should request a public defender when you first appear before a judge.



Do you handle child support cases?
Generally, we do not handle child support cases.



Do you handle immigration cases?
Yes, but, due to our limited staff, we must limit the types of cases that our Immigration Advocacy Project handles. To find out what kinds of immigration cases we handle or if you are eligible for immigration services please call 561-655-8944 ext. 233.



Do you offer consultations?
Due to our limited staff, the Legal Aid Society does not offer consultation services. If you wish to consult an attorney, or if your matter does not fall within the scope of our services, the Palm Beach County Bar Association provides a service, Lawyer's Referral Service. PLEASE NOTE: There is a cost of $30 for a 30 minute consultation. You may reach the Lawyer's Referral Service at 561-687-3266.



Do you give legal advice over the phone?
No. Due to the constraints of law, and as we have a process by which you must qualify financially for our services, the Legal Aid Society is unable to give phone consultations.



How do I get to your office?
Our main office is located at 423 Fern Street, Suite 200 in downtown West Palm Beach. If you take I-95 either north or south, please exit on Okeechobee Boulevard east. Continue east on Okeechobee. You will pass the Kravis Center on the left, the Convention Center on the right and then City Place on the left. Once you cross the railroad tracks after City Place, the next street is Quadrille. Make a left on Quadrille and continue on Quadrille until you see Fern Street, which will be about three blocks. Make a right on Fern Street and our building will be on the left hand side. Our address is 423 Fern Street, Suite 200. We are on the second floor.
Please note that parking for our building is by meter only. You may park at the City Garage which is located on the NE corner of Evernia and Dixie. To get to the City Garage, continue on Quadrille past Fern and go to Evernia. Make a right on Evernia, cross Dixie Highway and the entrance to the City Garage will be on your left.



Is there a fee for obtaining legal services from the Legal Aid Society?
Although there is no fee for any of Legal Aid's services, you must be a citizen of Palm Beach County, and you must qualify financially for many programs. This is based upon your annual income which, in most cases, cannot exceed 125% - 150% of the federal income guidelines, currently $14,362.50 (125%) to $17,235.00 (150%) for one person. If you have more than one person in your household this number is different. To find out if you qualify please call 561-655-8944 and speak to one of our intake paralegals. PLEASE NOTE: Although there is no fee for legal service you may be asked to assist with litigation costs (e.g. deposition fees, witness fees, etc.) in highly contested legal matters.



Are there other options for me if Legal Aid cannot represent me in my case?
Yes. One of the projects developed by Legal Aid is our Pro Bono Project. This project was established to help those people whose cases fall outside our areas of expertise - such as bankruptcy, mortgage foreclosure, tax and consumer cases. We have access to over 2,500 attorneys in Palm Beach County who have generously donated their time to assisting you in these types of matters. You must still meet the same financial guidelines as Legal Aid's in-house services. Also, for simple divorces and some other matters Legal Aid, in collaboration with Court Administration, has established the Self-Help Center on the sixth floor of the Palm Beach County Courthouse in Downtown West Palm Beach. You may contact them at 561-355-7048.








Mission Statement: A mission of providing equal access to our judicial system to qualified and low-income residents and non-profits in Palm Beach County.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is legal aid?

Legal aid is free or low-cost legal advice and assistance given to those who cannot afford the services of an attorney.

2. Who is eligible for legal aid?

The eligibility requirements for legal aid vary depending on the country or state, but generally, those who have limited income and cannot afford the services of a lawyer are eligible for legal aid.

3. How can I apply for legal aid?

To apply for legal aid, you can either visit your local legal aid office or access their website to fill out an application form. You will be required to provide information on your income and assets, as well as the legal issue you need assistance with.

4. What types of legal issues are covered by legal aid?

Legal aid covers a wide range of legal issues, including family law, criminal law, employment law, housing, consumer law, and immigration law.

5. Can I choose my lawyer with legal aid?

In some cases, you may be able to choose your lawyer with legal aid. However, in most cases, the lawyer assigned to you by legal aid will depend on their availability and expertise in the area of law your case involves.

6. How much does legal aid cost?

Legal aid is either free or offered at a reduced cost, depending on your income and assets.

7. What documents do I need to provide for legal aid?

When applying for legal aid, you will need to provide proof of your income and assets, such as bank statements, tax returns, and proof of benefits.

8. Is legal aid available for international cases?

Legal aid is only available for cases that fall within the jurisdiction of the country or state offering legal aid services.

9. Can I appeal a decision made by legal aid?

If you are not satisfied with the decision made by legal aid, you may have the right to appeal the decision. This may involve filling out an appeal form or attending a hearing.

10. How can I find a legal aid office in my area?

You can find a legal aid office in your area by searching online or contacting your local bar association.