Need legal help? Free clinic happening July 21, Aug. 18

By WVUA 23 Digital Reporter Kelby Hutchison

If you need help with legal matters but don’t have the money it often requires, the Alabama State Bar is bringing its free law clinic service to the Tuscaloosa Public Library July 21 and Aug. 18.

The Volunteer Lawyers Program‘s law clinics are open to the public and can offer legal assistance for civil cases. Clinics are held every third Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m.

“Ignoring a legal issue is never the right thing to do,” said VLP Director Linda Lund. “Things start cascading and bad things keep happening.”

The VLP has lawyers and other volunteers who can offer advice on bankruptcy, family law matters, guardianship, probate matters, child support and other civil cases, said VLP Community Clinic Coordinator Hilaire Armstrong.

“Unlike criminal cases, they can’t go to a public defender’s office or have appointed council if they can’t afford it,” Armstrong said. “In civil cases, they just represent themselves or oftentimes ignore the case completely.”

If you can’t attend the free clinic, VLP has a call center available for legal questions. You can find the number and hours right here.

“There’s a great group of lawyers in Tuscaloosa that are willing to give their time to help people find their way through legal issues and we’re just hoping the public will come out and take advantage of that,”  Lund said.

No appointment is required.