Office Information
| Name: | Senior Adults Legal Assistance San Jose |
| Address: | 1425 Koll Circle, San Jose, CA - 95112 |
| Phone: | (408) 295-5991 |
| Fax: |
Service Information
Provides free legal assistance to Santa Clara County Seniors.
Office Hours: M-F 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
SALA is a non profit elder law office whose mission is to support older persons in their efforts to live safely, independently, non-institutionalized, and with dignity. Established in 1973, SALA provides free legal services and community education to Santa Clara County residents who are age 60 or older. There is no income eligibility qualification to use SALAs services.
SALAs attorney staff provides a range of legal services from simple advice/referrals to comprehensive legal representation. SALAs caseload consists of legal matters that private attorneys typically do not handle and that have a great impact on elders most in need in our community.
Services
PUBLIC BENEFITS: Social Security and SSI (except disability cases); Medicare and Medi-Cal; and In Home Support Services.
LONG TERM CARE: Nursing Home and Residential Care issues; Alternatives to Institutionalization.
ELDER ABUSE: Restraining/Protective Orders for Elder Abuse, Domestic Violence or Civil Harassment Restraining Orders; Lodger Statute Evictions; Revocation of Powers of Attorney (for fiduciary abuse).
HOUSING: Landlord-Tenant; Subsidized/Senior Housing; Mobile Home Residency problems.
CONSUMER: Medicare HMO or Supplemental Insurance disputes; Long-Term Care Insurance problems.
INCAPACITY PLANNING: Advance Health Care Directives; Health Care Powers of Attorney; Uniform Stautory Form Powers of Attorney (for financial management).
PROBATE ALTERNATIVES: Death of Joint Tenant Affidavits; Small Estate Affidavits (valued at $100,000 or less).
SIMPLE WILLS: Attorney-drafted wills (available (through SALAs No Fee Wills Panel; California Statutory Wills or holographic wills for elders with modest assets
SALA's Self-Help Packets
SALA offers "self-help" packets to clients in the following areas:
Lodger Statute Eviction
Affidavit - Death of Joint Tenant
Small Estate Affidavit (for estates valued at $100,000 or less)
Uniform Statutory Form Power of Attorney
Revocation of Power of Attorney
Holographic Will
Statutory Will (for elders with very modest estates)
Clients wishing to obtain a self-help packet must go through the regular appointment process so that an attorney can assess whether the packet is appropriate for their particular case.
Mission Statement: SALA is a non-profit elder law office whose mission is to support older persons in their efforts to live safely, independently, non-institutionalized, and with dignity.
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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