What is Legal Aid
Legal aid is a group of organizations that offer free legal assistance to people who cannot afford a lawyer. The scope and extent of this assistance varies by organization, but the core mission is the same: to help those who cannot afford to hire a lawyer to handle their case.
Although most legal aid is provided by nonprofit organizations, some states also provide legal aid through government agencies. Governmental legal aid may be provided through a system of private, non-governmental lawyers who provide free or low-cost legal services funded by the state.
Legal aid services generally include providing free or low-cost legal advice, assistance with legal forms and procedures, brief services to clients, referral to private attorneys for representation, and representation by attorneys employed by the legal aid organization .
In Mansfield, Ohio, the legal aid office that serves the area is Legal Aid of West Central Ohio, Inc. Recently, demand for services has outpaced the available funding, which has led to the organization forming partnerships with private law firms to augment its services.
"The mission of Legal Aid of West Ohio is to assist the poor, disabled, the children, and the elderly in securing their legal rights to identify and reduce the barriers facing Ohio families," reads the official mission statement on its website. "Legal Aid of West Ohio offers free civil legal services to low-income communities in Allen, Auglaize, Champaign, Darke, Delaware, Fayette, Franklin, Hardin, Logan, Madison, Marion, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby, Union, and Wyandot counties."
Qualifications for Legal Aid in Mansfield
Eligibility to Receive Legal Aid in Mansfield is based on income, expenses and other requirements that vary with the type of legal issue involved.
To receive legal services from Legal Aid of the NorthvMidwest, you must meet our income and asset eligibility rules. You must have an income below 200% of the federal poverty level, as shown in the table below. Income limits apply to all household members. We do not consider your assets. (Note: These figures are based on the 2018 federal poverty guidelines and may change in 2019.)
Total People in Family Unit
100% Income Limit – 200% Income Limit
1
$12,490
$24,980
2
$16,910
$33,820
3
$21,330
$42,660
4
$25,750
$51,500
5
$30,170
$60,340
6
$34,590
$68,180
7
$39,010
$76,020
8
$43,430
$83,860
each add’l
$3,420
$8,840
The current income limits for some legal issues of priority include:
Protective Orders: No income limit
Custody: No income limit
Eviction: Income limit to be eligible for court-based legal aid involves homeless shelters
Divorce: Must involve domestic violence or child abuse
Bankruptcy: Must involve threats by creditors or foreclosure of home
Consumer Fraud: Must involve a serious financial loss and threats by creditor
Utility Shut-Off: Must have priority by agency providing assistance
Guardianships: Must impact custody of minor children
If Legal Aid cannot help a client directly – by phone, video chat or in person – the client may be referred to an attorney who serves on the local bar association’s pro bono panel. Pro bono attorneys accept private, free cases at or around the courthouse where they practice.
We will accept your case if it meets our priorities and if we have staff available to help. If we cannot assist you, we will try to find another legal-aid organization that can take your case.
We usually do not charge clients for our help. Unfortunately, we do not have enough resources to help everyone who asks. We set priorities and make choices about what types of legal problems we can help with.
Top Legal Aid Offices in Mansfield
Several prominent legal aid organizations are fully functional in Mansfield, Ohio. These entities are on a mission to reduce the vulnerability of low-income residents of the community by offering a wide variety of civil legal services.
Legal Aid of Western Ohio – Mansfield Office
The legal aid office in Mansfield is part of a network of 13 offices spread across 32 counties. This organization provides services to distressed legal consumers all over western and rural Ohio. The full roster of services includes assistance for domestic matters, housing issues of all types, help with public benefits, consumer rights advocacy, estate planning, non-profit formation, and mediation. The organization also helps veterans navigate the complex requirements for benefits and compensation.
Legal Services of North West Ohio – Mansfield Office
Founded more than six decades ago, this independent non-profit legal aid organization serves residents of Ashland, Crawford, Richland, and Seneca counties. It is considered to be one of the larger legal aid entities in the state and has managed to fulfill its mission to provide equal access to civil justice since it was first formed. The local office in Mansfield offers a wide variety of services that include bankruptcy, child custody and visitation, divorce, domestic violence, name change, guardianship, wills, adult guardianship, landlord-tenant issues, unfair debt collection practices, government benefits, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (Food Stamps), public utilities, and AdvanceMed health insurance.
Legal Problems Addressed by Legal Aid
Legal aid organizations in Mansfield, Ohio generally offer services for a wide range of legal issues. Common categories include family law, housing, employment, and consumer rights. Family law is a common area for legal aid help. This includes cases such as divorce, child custody, and spousal or child support. Legal aid often assists low-income individuals in filing for divorce or petitions to modify custody or support orders. In some cases, the support amounts have changed considerably since the original order was issued in the court. Legal aid may also assist victims in obtaining protection orders where there is evidence of domestic abuse or stalking. Housing and landlord-tenant law is another significant area for legal aid. In addition to assistance with divorce and domestic violence matters, individuals who are married to or formerly married to their abuser may need help in obtaining alternative housing options. While legal aid organizations can’t actually find housing for clients, they are able to offer advice on issues such as eviction notices, foreclosure, repairs, and other landlord-tenant issues. Employment issues may also be addressed by a legal aid organization. For example, individuals who have been discriminated against in the workplace, such as being illegally fired for pregnancy or disability, may be able to receive representation so that they can regain proper employment. Wage and hour issues are another common category, with clients including both employees and employers. For example, legal aid may represent a group of employees who have not been properly compensated for overtime hours. Alternatively, legal aid may negotiate on behalf of an employer who has misclassified employees from salaried to hourly. Consumer rights is a common issue covered by legal aid organizations in Mansfield, Ohio. For example, legal aid may represent individuals who have been targeted by debt collectors. They may also offer legal assistance to those involved in car accidents, whether it is a single-party or multi-party claim. A person who loses a vehicle in an accident may be left without transportation to work, and legal aid may offer assistance in obtaining a rental car while litigation is underway.
Applying for Legal Aid Services
How to Apply for Legal Aid in Mansfield, Ohio
Applying for legal aid in Mansfield, Ohio, is a straightforward process, but it is important to prepare the necessary information in advance and expect some processing time before one’s request is fully evaluated and services extended. Every year, Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO) serves thousands of low-income and vulnerable clients in the Mansfield area, assisting them with civil legal matters such as domestic violence, child custody issues, housing disputes, and consumer complaints.
To request services from LAWO, applicants must fill out an application form on the organization’s website or at one of its eight legal aid offices. Each applicant must provide general background information about themselves, their families, and their issues. Once submitted, the application will be processed within 24 to 48 hours. If there is a legal aid office located in the applicant’s county of residence, the applicant will be referred to that office directly. If the applicant lives outside of LAWO’s service area or in a county without a specific office, the application will be reviewed by LAWO’s intake language line. All requests must include a brief description of the issue in question and whether the individual is currently experiencing homelessness or domestic violence.
When assistance is available, applicants are contacted by legal aid staff members within two business days. Most assistance is provided in-person at a legal aid office during intake hours, but individuals may also be given the opportunity to receive help over the phone. There, applicants may be asked to answer additional questions relating to their current situations, including the nature of their claims, background information on the parties involved, and any supporting material that is available to them . Language services are available, as are intakes for those who cannot physically attend the intake hour. Legal assistants may also conduct intakes at other locations depending on demand in that area. Currently, LAWO has a partnership with Calvary Baptist Church that allows applicants to meet with an attorney from LAWO at the church once a month. The area’s bar association also provides free consultations at its own clinic once a month. If applicants are not satisfied with the outcome of their interview, they may request a new intake interview. In certain cases, applicants can also submit a written request to speak with an attorney rather than someone from the intake team.
After the intake process is complete, the case will be assigned to an attorney. Staff members prioritize cases involving human trafficking, veterans, sexual assault victims, and domestic violence victims, and these issues are typically handled first. The nature of the issue will determine how much time LAWO staff members will spend on a case, but applicants can generally expect LAWO to follow up with them in less than two weeks after the intake process concludes. Most cases are settled within six months, whereas others may take several years to be resolved.
While LAWO does charge fees for certain programs and services, those who qualify for legal aid should not expect costs to exceed 25 percent of their income. LAWO accepts other forms of payment when necessary in order to ensure that all individuals, regardless of circumstance, can access legal assistance. Domestic abuse survivors and those who are homeless automatically qualify for services, while senior citizens are charged reduced rates to apply. If applicants cannot afford LAWO’s paying policy, they may request a fee waiver when submitting their applications.
Cases won & Legal Aid Impact
Access to justice is a cornerstone of democratic society. Yet, for many residents in Mansfield, the path to this access often seems narrow and winding. Luckily, through the efforts of local legal aid services, the road to legal assistance has become more accessible than ever before. Many residents have found themselves in difficult situations with no hope or help in sight – until legal aid came in to save the day. Recent cases handled by local legal aid have made positive impacts on the lives of residents, bringing stories of hope and change. A 27-year-old mother found herself grappling with the realities of single parenthood in less-than-ideal economic circumstances. Having split from her husband, she quickly realized her ex-spouse’s reluctance to pay child support and fulfill other parental responsibilities were making the parenting journey even more daunting. After months of little to no financial support, she turned to legal aid for assistance. Within two months, the long and arduous road led to the securing of child support, assuring the client of uninterrupted basic childcare and family health care. The child’s well-being is now in safe hands, and the support system fortifies a young family struggling to make ends meet. The positive impact of legal aid is not merely limited to low-income families. A successful business owner, with minimal cash flow, found herself unable to meet her tax obligations. She faced the threat of a tax lien on her home. Legal aid representatives negotiated with the tax agency to modify her installment payments, allowing her to keep her home and operate her business without the looming fear of losing everything she worked tirelessly to build. Cases like these are commonplace at legal aid. Not only do they reveal the indomitable spirit of the residents who reach to grasp the golden opportunity that is legal aid; they also demonstrate the collective focus and collaboration of many minds working together for a common goal. This cohesion turns seemingly impossible challenges into achievable goals. A resident who was once reluctant to seek legal aid services returned to share his gratitude after hearing of the success and assistance provided to fellow community members. He acknowledges that the evidence of countless success stories reflects the richness of legal aid resources, benefitting both the underserved community and the legal professionals eager to offer help. Although the statistical data reflects abundant information, it is often the human stories behind the facts that tug on heartstrings. Legal aid professionals, communities, and, most importantly, residents, celebrate each success and recognize the important role legal aid services play in the community.
Challenges for Legal Aid
Challenges Facing Legal Aid Services in Mansfield, Ohio
Despite the critical role legal aid plays in providing access to justice for low-income individuals, they face significant challenges. Funding for legal aid programs is often insufficient, relying heavily on state and federal sources, as well as private donations. This precarious financial footing can result in cuts to vital legal resources and services. Legal aid programs struggle to meet the growing demand for services. As poverty levels rise, so does the number of people who require legal help, stretching resources even thinner.
Resource constraints add additional burdens to legal aid organizations. With limited staffing and funding, these agencies often have a narrow focus and may struggle to address issues that fall outside their scope , such as advanced cases or especially complex matters. Legal aid attorneys are often overextended, managing a large caseload and working to meet a growing number of clients’ needs without sufficient time or resources. Legal aid services may also be hindered by physical and technological infrastructure. Some legal aid offices in Mansfield lack sufficient space and infrastructure, leaving staff and clients to share inadequate facilities. (Mansfield is a relatively small city, so this is a common problem in smaller communities.) The limited availability of technology in both physical workspace and made available to clients can be a detriment to legal aid programs as well; legal aid staff and stakeholders may have trouble leveraging the advantages of cloud-based technologies and other computer-based resources.