Walk-In Legal Aid Clinics

To get help you can come to IELLA’s Legal Aid walk-in clinic(s) and fill out an application (currently our online application is under construction)

No appointment is needed to attend our legal aid clinic’s and services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Except for emergency cases (example: evictions, responses)

We provide counsel and advice and assistance with document preparation on the following legal matters:

Family Law matters for eligible individuals who have:

  • Disputes over child custody/support
  • DV-TRO for anyone who has experienced abuse from a person with whom they have a “close relationship” like a spouse, significant other (boyfriend/girlfriend), or specific family members (parent, child, sibling)
  • Dissolution (divorce) / RESPONSE TO DIVORCE
  • Paternity cases when there are child custody issues that need to be resolved.
  • Court ordered visitation that is being disrupted by the other parent

Eviction Defense:

Get help responding to your eviction (unlawful detainer). We can help you prepare an Answer to an Unlawful Detainer (Eviction).  The time to respond to an eviction case is short and you may only have 5 court days (excluding weekends and court holidays) from the date you were served with the eviction papers to file you’re Answer in court. 

Restraining Orders

When you experience abuse, threats of abuse, stalking, sexual assault, or other serious harassment.  We can help you at one of our walk-in clinics to get help with domestic violence, elder abuse, and civil harassment restraining orders.

We can help with preparing the court forms required to apply for or respond to a restraining order.

Expungements

  1. You will need to get a copy of your criminal record and bring with you to our legal aid clinic. Go to the Superior Court where you were convicted. They will only have information for your convictions in that County.
  2. We will help you complete the court forms and mail copies of the forms to the appropriate D A’s office.

IELLA can also help with: Consumer / Debtor Issues, Name Change, Wage Garnishments please call for more information or attend one of our walk in clinic’s located at:

Riverside

Riverside Saturday Clinic

 

The Clinic Process 

Step – 1

What to bring

If you are a legal resident of the United States, you MUST provide:
Legal Resident card

If you already have a family law case open, you will have to bring the most recent orders and any current filings available with you.

To get help responding to your eviction (unlawful detainer) bring the Complaint and any other documents you were served with.

You MUST arrive 30 minutes before closing. (example: if clinic is from 10-2 you must be at the clinic by 1:30 to secure a spot)

 

Step – 2

Eligibility

The Clinic Manager will quickly determine what type of legal matter you have and if you are likely eligible for our free services.

You will apply for help by filling out an application.

You will answer questions for about 20 minutes. We ask about your income, assets and the people that live in your household. You cannot keep this application.

Please check that you have the time and information you need to complete the application. If you don’t have the time or information, you can come back to another clinic. At the end of this application, we tell you if you are eligible for our legal services and if other law documents are needed to better assist you with your case.

 

Step – 3

Telephone Counsel and Advice

At the end of this application, if you are eligible for our services, you will get a call within 2-3 business days from one of our volunteer attorneys to discuss your case.

On some occasions a pro bono attorney will be available on site and you will be able to speak to the pro-bono attorney at the clinic. The clinic manager will inform you of this when you first come in

Step – 4

Document Preparation

After your confidential consultation with a pro-bono attorney:

  • The attorney will determine if the client qualifies for document preparation.
  • If you qualify for document preparation, our paralegals will prepare the paperwork / forms.
  • The paralegal will schedule a time and date when you can pick up your documents.
  • The paralegal will explain how to file your forms in court and will answer questions about filing your case in court.

 

 

PARALEGALS DO NOT OFFER LEGAL ADVICE