Divorce Assistance For Low-Income

Divorce can be a stressful time for most people undergoing this process. For low-income or uninformed individuals, filing for a divorce can be a confusing and often expensive endeavor pulling funds that would otherwise be used to pay for bills, rent, or the monthly food bill.

Fully understanding the attorneys and law firms dedicated to helping the low-income through the divorce process can save you countless hours of run-around research along with a substantial amount of money. Hiring a lawyer may be your last resort when considering a divorce, but it may be the most practical option, especially if children are involved. We are going to break down a few ways to receive affordable divorce assistance on a budget.

Pro Bono Lawyers

Pro bono lawyers work for their clients, providing the same legal counsel and advice as they would for someone who can afford it. While not all lawyers will work for free, it’s always worth asking. Reaching out to well-known lawyers who work pro bono can prove to be more successful than local lawyers who may not be able to offer their services for free. Lawyers choose to work pro bono for several reasons. Family lawyers will often work pro bono for low-income families with children to resolve issues safely and promptly.

Personal interest in your case can play a significant role in lawyers inquiring about pro bono work or a reduced fee. Be sure to include all the details about your divorce along with the complications that need resolving to raise interest in your case; lawyers strategically pick and choose which cases they will take on reserving pro bono work for those that need it most.

Divorce Mediation

Divorce mediation can often be much cheaper and more effective than taking your divorce issues to the courtroom in front of a judge. Meditation is a process where both individuals involved in the divorce meet with a third-party mediator who has no prior connection to the case. This specially trained mediator talks through each divorce-related issue with each party to come to a standard solution while staying completely neutral, leaving the decision-making up to the people themselves instead of a judge.

This form of divorce assistance works best with couples who are willing to talk about each issue at hand while working together to come to a mutual decision. Common problems requiring a solution as divorce mediation can include child custody, asset allocation, or alimony. Once couples have agreed to each part of the agreement, the mediator complies the new agreed-upon conditions into a letter which each party signs then presented to the judge. Mediation services are exponentially cheaper than hiring an hourly lawyer with pay-as-you-go options offered by most.

Talking Things Out

While this may not be the best option for some couples, it may be the most cost-effective. Identifying issues that may cause disagreements during your divorce and coming to solutions that best suit each party can save you thousands of dollars in legal fees. Many issues that contribute to wanting a divorce require additional help from a lawyer to ensure each individual’s safety.

When it comes to children, conflict arises more frequently, and it may prove not easy to come to a common understanding. Custody and visitation rights are two of the most common reasons couples seek legal counsel. Willingness to work together and talk about each aspect of the divorce can save you copious amounts of time without breaking the bank. In most cases, a judge will not declare a final verdict until all issues brought to the courtroom from both parties are resolved. This can be a long, expensive process for couples who cannot settle their differences and come to a compromise.

ABA Free Legal Advice

ABA Free Legal Advice is a great place to turn in times of need for low-income individuals looking to get answers for basic or intricate legal situations. This utterly online service connects people with an attorney who volunteers their time to answer related legal questions. Individuals looking to receive free answers to their legal questions can submit their anonymous inquiries directly through the ABA Free Legal Advice website.

Volunteer lawyers affiliated with ABA Free Legal Advice log into their accounts and start answering questions that pertain to their level of expertise. Once an answer has been provided for a question, an email is promptly sent back to the enquirer free of charge. This program is perfect for low-income individuals or families involved in non-violent cases and who wish to receive help without an attorney’s actual representation. To ask a question, click here: Free Legal Answers (abafreelegalanswers.org)

Legal Services Corporation

U.S Congress developed the Legal Services Corporation in 1974 to provide high-quality legal aid to thousands of low-income individuals annually. Their dedication to ensuring equal access to legal aid despite income level has helped countless cases over the years. The Legal Services Corporation offers grants to independent law firms and organizations to be used strictly for providing legal counsel to low-income adults, children, and seniors.

Agencies that receive a grant from the Legal Services Corporation, 132 of them during the last count, handle all the needs during a civil case. Many of these agencies focus primarily on family law, including child custody and housing matters such as eviction. These agencies receiving funding from the Legal Services Corporation are found worldwide; an interactive map showcasing grantees in each state is available through the Legal Services Corporation website. Locating and taking advantage of the free legal counsel in your state can save you substantial amounts of money in the long run throughout a trial. LSC – Legal Services Corporation: America’s Partner for Equal Justice |

Divorce Assistance: An Option For Everyone

Whether you are willing to work out the details as a couple or require legal counsel during this process, there are many ways to go about it when on a budget. Even if one party believes that the issues at hand can be worked out without a lawyer getting involved, it may be the fastest and safest option.

Lawyers work for you while trying their hardest to achieve the desired outcome or an outcome that is best for the family. Lawyer fees can stack up, so taking advantage of the low-income programs in your state or online is a great way to receive legal counsel without breaking the bank.

Whichever path you decide to go down during the divorce process, make sure to keep the safety and wellbeing of both parties in mind before making any decision. If this article was helpful, you might qualify for free wireless service through the federal Lifeline program. You can check your eligibility now by clicking here:  Free Cell Phone Service With Government Program | StandUp Wireless