Office Information
Name: | Riverside Legal Aid |
Address: | 4129 Main Street,, Riverside, CA - 92501 |
Phone: | (951) 682-7968 |
Fax: |
Service Information
Hours:
M-F 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.
Call or walk in to schedule an appointment.
Full list of services includes:
Our Mission is to provide pro bono legal services, education and counseling to qualified low-income residents of Riverside County.
Free legal services to qualified individuals in the areas of:
family law (divorce, support, custody, visitation, domestic violence restraining orders, paternity)
evictions
guardianship/conservatorship
debtor/creditor collection cases
contract disputes
bankruptcy
Federal District Court civil cases
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you handle criminal matters?
No. We assist with family law (divorce, custody, support, restraining orders, paternity), conservatorships, guardianships, civil (evictions for tenants, debtor-creditor & debt collection, civil restraining orders, suits on contracts, etc.), bankruptcy and federal court civil matters.
Do you help with expunging (cleaning up) criminal records?
No. However, you can find information about expungements and the forms you need on the Courts self-help website; on the Public Defenders "Relief" website; or at Inland Empire Latino Lawyers.
When I call you I get voicemail. Will you call me back if I leave a message?
Unfortunately, we dont have enough staff to answer most phone calls. However, all calls are returned if you leave a message. For faster service, you can walk into our office during our business hours to see if you qualify and to schedule an appointment.
Do you represent people in court?
Most of our legal services are provided in clinics in which you can meet with an attorney, paralegals prepare your paperwork under the supervision of an attorney, and we advise you how to file and serve the documents and appear in court. On rare occasions, we are able to negotiate a settlement with the other party or provide volunteer attorneys to represent you in court.
Do you do evictions for landlords?
Because you must qualify under our income and asset guidelines, we generally assist only tenants. However, under extenuating circumstances (for example, where there is abuse or elder abuse) we may assist with an eviction.
Do you prepare the paperwork I will need to file in court?
Yes, we prepare paperwork for you in all but our Federal Civil and Bankruptcy clinics.
Do you prepare bankruptcy documents?
No. We offer assistance with how to prepare the documents and we can review documents you prepare. We also offer quarterly workshops to the public which guide you through the forms and procedure line by line. Call for information on the next scheduled workshop.
Come in and let us review your forms before you file to reduce the risk of having the court reject them.
In a Guardianship, who do I have to serve the guardianship petition on?
You must serve a guardianship petition on the childs biological or adoptive parents, all grandparents and all siblings (even minors).
Do I have to serve all of those relatives even though I dont know who they are or how to contact them?
You have to use due diligence to learn their identities and whereabouts, including asking anyone who may know them & looking on the Internet. You have to be able to prove to the court that you have exhausted all reasonable means to find them and were unsuccessful. You should be prepared to give us that information when you come in to have us prepare your guardianship petition.
Can you help me if I dont live in Riverside County?
Except for bankruptcy and federal court cases, you must live in Riverside County or you must have an existing case in a Riverside County Court for us to be able to assist you. Our Bankruptcy and Federal District Court Clinic serves anyone representing themselves whose case is or may be filed in the Bankruptcy or District Court for the Central District of California.
Do I have to be low-income to receive your services?
Except for our Bankruptcy and Federal District Court Self-Help Clinic, you must qualify under the Federal Legal Services Corporation or State of California income guidelines. You can call or come in to see if you qualify. The only requirement for the Bankruptcy and Federal District Court Clinic is that you must be representing yourself.
Can you help me if you have assisted the other party?
Generally, if we have assisted the other party in the same matter, we cannot assist you unless the other party consents in writing.
Mission Statement: Our Mission is to provide pro bono legal services, education and counseling to qualified low-income residents of Riverside County.
Frequently Asked Questions about Legal Aid
- What is legal aid?
Legal aid is free or low-cost legal assistance for people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. Legal aid organizations provide a variety of legal services, including advice, representation, and advocacy, to help low-income people resolve their civil legal problems.
- Who is eligible for legal aid?
Eligibility for legal aid varies depending on the organization. Generally, legal aid organizations serve people with incomes below a certain level, as determined by the federal poverty guidelines. Some legal aid organizations also have additional eligibility criteria, such as citizenship status or immigration status.
- What kind of cases does legal aid handle?
Legal aid organizations handle a wide range of civil legal problems, including:
* Housing
* Education
* Employment
* Family law
* Immigration
* Public benefits
* Consumer law
* Health care
* Disability rights
- How do I get legal aid?
To get legal aid, you can contact your local legal aid organization or a state or national legal aid hotline. Legal aid organizations typically have intake interviews to determine eligibility and assess the need for legal assistance.
- Is legal aid free?
Legal aid is generally free for eligible clients. However, some legal aid organizations may charge for certain services, such as filing fees or expert witness fees.
- What if I don’t qualify for legal aid?
If you do not qualify for legal aid, there are other options available to you, such as pro bono lawyers or legal self-help resources. Pro bono lawyers are lawyers who volunteer their time to provide free legal services to low-income people. Legal self-help resources can provide you with information and tools to help you represent yourself in court.
Here are some additional frequently asked questions about legal aid:
- What is the difference between legal aid and a public defender?
Legal aid organizations provide free or low-cost legal assistance to people with civil legal problems. Public defenders provide free legal assistance to people who are accused of crimes.
- Can I get legal aid for a criminal case?
No, legal aid organizations do not provide legal assistance for criminal cases. Criminal cases are handled by public defenders.
- How can I find a legal aid organization near me?
You can find a legal aid organization near you by visiting the website of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the national organization that funds legal aid programs. The LSC website has a directory of legal aid organizations by state and county.
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