What is Legal Aid?
Legal aid is a service designed to help those in the community who are unable to afford legal representation. Legal aid is an invaluable resource for numerous people who cannot afford attorneys. It also provides an excellent service for people who do not have any immediate needs. Those who make more money than the poverty line but not enough to afford legal services may not qualify for legal aid, but can prevent future hassles by getting proper legal information.
Legal aid is offered in Greenville by legal services of North Carolina (LSNC) and the NC Bar Association. The LSNC provides legal assistance to low-income residents living in one of 25 counties in eastern North Carolina. Their public policy division considers policy changes through legal aid advocacy, litigation, and law reform advocacy. They also pursue litigation in cases that affect many people and take legal action when it is necessary to protect the rights of people we serve.
Community legal services is the program offered by the NCBA that provides free and simple legal information to those who need basic legal advice. Residents of Pitt County can reach out to the senior citizens’ hotline for free legal assistance on issues such as guardianships, homeowner’s foreclosure prevention, health care power of attorney, telemarketer fraud, basic divorce questions, wills, and consumer issues . Legal Aid records hundreds of thousands of calls evey year, processing over 6,000 calls with Client Service Representatives, attorneys, and community volunteers.
The local retention program runs once a month at Pitt County Public Library and provides free legal advice for issues pertaining to child custody, wills, powers of attorney, landlord/tenant matters, divorce and separation, financial matters, social security disability, and expungements.
The Emergency Legal Aid program is useful in situations that are threatening to a client’s health and safety. In order to qualify, their situation must meet a number of conditions, including; be of emergent nature, be completely within the scope of the legal aid program’s practice areas, involve no conflicts of interest with the staff attorney, and that the closing and follow-up be completed within a certain time limit.
Pitt County residents can access all of the legal aid services that the area has to offer. Legal aid advocacy protects populations within the community, and enables those who cannot afford legal services, or do not need them yet, to avoid problems in the future.
Qualifications for Legal Aid in Greenville, NC
Legal aid services in Greenville, NC are generally reserved for those that are unable to hire an attorney due to financial constraints. The law stipulates that applicants must have a very low income, or be receiving public assistance benefits to qualify for help. It should be noted that incomes are calculated based on gross earnings, meaning what is earned before any taxes are taken out.
In addition to being low income, individuals seeking legal aid services in Greenville, NC must have a case that falls within the criteria set by the service. Legal aid services typically cover child custody, domestic violence, rental housing, wills and other probate matters, public benefits and veterans benefits. Evictions are handled within only a certain time frame, while bankruptcy matters are only handled if the case is very uncomplicated. Legal aid services in Greenville, NC do not cover personal injury or criminal cases.
Non-profits like A Helping Hand of Pitt County provide free mediation services to help individuals settle a case with their spouse or other parties involved. This gives them a break from court-mandated mediation sessions and in some cases, they have better luck settling the case. A Helping Hand of Pitt County also offer free foreclosure and homeowner counseling by trained counselors. They can help homeowners obtain reverse mortgages and even help them work with lenders on a loan modification.
Covered Cases
For people who cannot afford legal services, a common perception of a public interest law firm is that they will handle what people think of as social justice cases. For example, a common conception is that public interest law firms might only assist with cases that involve refugee assistance, housing discrimination or consumer loans. However, for people on the ground, especially in a small city like Greenville, NC, the reality is that public interest law firms provide much more. Most legal aid organizations in Greenville, NC provide services for vulnerable people in areas such as family law, housing, public benefits and employment.
Family law is a major area of focus for legal aid organizations in Greenville, NC. People frequently need assistance with cases involving domestic violence, divorces, child custody and visitation, Guardianship, Child Support, and Adoptions. Domestic violence is particularly important for legal aid organizations to assist with because low income people may find it difficult to obtain representation with these types of cases elsewhere.
Housing is also very prevalent, as over recent years housing demand has increased in the Greenville, NC area. As a result people are struggling to find affordable housing. Public interest law firms provide assistance with eviction, housing discrimination, and landlord/tenant code violation cases.
Public benefits assistance is another responsibility that legal aid organizations in Greenville, NC have taken up over recent years. Individuals often need assistance with Social Security disability benefits, food stamps, AAA benefits, or TANF benefits.
Lastly, employment assistance is another area that communities of low wealth are facing. Legal aid organizations in the area frequently assist individuals with filing unemployment claims, or obtaining workers rights insurance benefits.
Applying for Legal Aid
The process for obtaining legal aid services in Greenville, NC begins with a phone consultation. You can reach legal aid by calling (866) 219-5262. The call center operates Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. During this call, an operator will ask you questions about your issue and will assess your case on a "first come, first served" basis. Make sure you have all necessary information about your case on hand when you make the call, including: In addition to the above, you may also need to provide your birth date, social security number, phone number, email address, income information, employment status, current employer, emergency contact, housing status (e . g., homeless, eviction), transportation (e.g., vehicle inoperable, unable to afford bus fare), and billable debts (e.g., food, rent, utilities). After the call, you may receive a "We Can Help" letter in the mail. Keep this letter as a record of your application. If more information is needed, you will be contacted by mail or telephone. If you are determined to be eligible for free legal aid, the organization will assign your case to a qualified local attorney or legal aid organization. You may be required to visit your local legal aid office, where you may be asked to provide additional information about your case.
Local Legal Aid Groups
The non-profit organizations listed below provide free legal aid for the low income population of Greene County, North Carolina. Their services extend throughout all of Greene County and are all non-profit organizations. It is important to note that as a potential client, you must be income eligible to receive legal aid from these organizations.
North Carolina Senior Legal Helpline
Phone: 1-877-579-7562
Provides comprehensive, civil legal assistance to North Carolina seniors aged 60 and older. Available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Provides free legal information and consultation (15 minutes) over the phone to eligible seniors on legal matters such as:
• Consumer Issues, including wage garnishment and protecting assets.
• Decedent’s Estates, including estate administration and guardianship.
• Family Law (Divorce; Domestic Violence Protection Orders; Grandparent Rights; Guardianships and Custody).
• Health Care, including Medicare and Medicaid.
• Health Care Decision-Making issues, including HIPAA and powers of attorney.
• Housing Issues, including landlord-tenant issues and reverse mortgages.
• Public Benefits, such as Food Stamps, Social Security, SSI, Medicaid, and Medicare.
• Reverse Mortgages, including debt collector’s actions.
• Utilities Shutoff.
• Wills and Trusts.
Legal Aid of North Carolina – Volunteer Lawyer Project
Phone: (252) 758-0885
We match low-income clients with volunteer lawyers who agree to take their cases for free. One case at a time, we are helping our neighbors in their fight for justice.
Home of Hope Peru Ministries
Phone: (252) 355-3226
Program Focus: The Hope of a Future Series of Seminars: Presented by Barbara Marshbanks a local attorney, at various Women’s Home of Hope facilities throughout the year covering topics such as:
• How to Get Your Children Investor Ready
• Living Out Your Dreams – Vision Board Workshop
• Be Your Own Advocate – Using the Law To Enforce Your Rights
• How to Become Your Own Representative
• How to Effectively Navigate Your Community
Your Image Matters Inc.
Phone: (252) 556-0677
Program Focus: Know Your Rights – Know Your Responsibilities
This seminar covers the rights enumerated in the First, Fourth, Fifth, Eighth, Tenth, and Twelfth amendments to the United States Constitution. Covering a range of topics such as:
• Your Rights in a Traffic Stop or Search
• When You Can Say "No" – Voluntary Consent to Search
• Dynamics of Use of Force by Police Officers in Various Circumstances
Community Impact of Legal Aid
The impact of legal aid services on the Greenville, NC community is profound. By providing vital legal assistance to underserved populations, legal aid organizations in the area help to ensure that social justice is accessible to all. With access to legal support, individuals who may not be able to navigate the legal system on their own are empowered to defend their rights and seek justice. This, in turn, contributes to a fairer and more equitable society.
Legal aid services also play a pivotal role in reducing inequalities within the community. They help to level the playing field for low-income individuals and families , providing them with the resources needed to address legal challenges that may otherwise seem insurmountable. Such inequalities can often perpetuate a cycle of poverty and injustice, but legal aid helps to break that cycle by offering critical support.
Legal aid services additionally support vulnerable populations within the Greenville, NC community, including the elderly, children, and those with disabilities. By offering assistance to these groups, legal aid programs promote their well-being and protect their interests. United by a mission to serve those in need, legal aid professionals and organizations are making a significant impact on the community and the lives of its residents.