Pro Bono and Reduced-Fee Referral Programs in Lawrence County
To volunteer for one of these programs, please contact Michelle DeBord, the managing attorney of the Lawrence County Office, at (724) 658-2677.
One hour of free service for the Elderly: Up to one (1) hour of pro bono advice and limited service in the following civil matters for indigent persons age 60 or older:
- Divorce, custody, support and PFA issues
- Landlord/Tenant and real estate law
- Debtor/creditor, bankruptcy and consumer law
- Estates, guardiansyhips, and adoptions
- Civil litigation, personal injury, and contract disputes
- Social Security, workers compensation, unemployment compensation, pensions and insurance issues>
- Employment issues
Free document preparation for the Elderly: Pro bono preparation of a will, living will or power of attorney for indigent persons age 60 or older, limited number of clients to private attorney per year.
Divorce Plaintiff: $20.00 for initial consultation; plus $120.00 retainer for representation in a divorce action for the first three hours; plus $40.00 per hour for ancillary issues and for making special arrangements to serve the Defendant.
Divorce Defendant: $20.00 for initial consultation; plus $120.00 retainer for first three hours of defending a divorce action; plus $40.00 per hours thereafter.
Representation at Support Conference, Exceptions Hearing or Contempt Hearing: Flat fee of $100.00
>Custody: $20.00 for advice only; $20.00 for completion of the pro se forms (provided by Neighborhood Legal Services Association) to obtain custody conference; $40.00 for preparation of Application for Special Relief; $120.00 retainer for the first three hours, plus $40.00 per hour thereafter, for a limited appearance at a custody conference or for a limited appearance regarding an Application for Special Relief; $400.00 retainer for the first 10 hours, plus $40.00 per hour thereafter, for preparation for, and representation at, a custody trial. NLSA will provide with each referral a form Praecipe for Entry of Limited Appearance.
District Justice Civil or Landlort/Tenant Hearing: Flat fee of $80.00
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: $20.00 paid in advance for initial consultation. $400.00 paid in advance for representing the debtor (and perhaps a spouse) in a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, plus court costs and $40.00 per hour as billed for adversarial actions.
Advice Only: $20.00 for up to one-half hour of advice in the following categories:
- Divorce, custody, support and PFA issues
- >Landlord/tenant and real estate law
- Debtor/creditor, bankruptcy, and consumer law
- Estates, guardianships, and adoptions
- Civil litigation, person injury, contract disputes
- Social Security, workers compensation, unemployment compensation, pensions, and insurance issues
- Employment issues
Social Security: Representation of SSI or OASDI on a contingency-fee basis.
