Legal Aid of Collier County: A Brief Overview
Legal Aid of Collier County, founded in 1981, is an independent, nonprofit corporation dedicated to providing high quality and cost effective civil legal services to as many of Collier County’s low-income men, women and children as possible. We collaborate with social service and other pro bono legal providers to meet the growing demand for civil legal services. Without these collaborations and community support we would not be able to assist the thousands of people we do annually with their pressing legal needs. In 2018 , our volunteers assisted 571 men, women and children and more than 3,700 individuals benefitted from our community workshops. Legal Aid’s staff and volunteer attorneys provide advice, counsel and representation to qualified individuals living within 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. In our forty year history, Legal Aid has expanded its areas of practice to include landlord/tenant issues, family law matters, estate planning, consumer cases, employment issues (workers comp, wage, unemployment) and domestic violence.
What Legal Aid of Collier County Provides
Legal Aid of Collier County provides a broad spectrum of legal aid services designed to assist eligible low-income individuals and families. The organization’s focus is on civil law rather than criminal law. For those who are at risk of housing displacement, for example, it can be a catastrophe if they cannot get attorneys to help them navigate housing court. Legal Aid provides a number of services for people at risk of losing their homes.
Family-related issues are also common cases for Legal Aid of Collier County. Professional family law attorneys work with domestic violence survivors to pursue injunctions. Injunctions against domestic violence are the only quick way to immediately protect their children and themselves from abusive spouses. Custody orders affecting children are also pursued through Legal Aid, along with actions to establish paternity or elicit child support.
Housing consumers’ issues can be addressed by Legal Aid of Collier County too. Contracts of purchase or money lost to unscrupulous contract salespersons may be covered. Credit disputes may be addressed by legal aid staff members, along with contract disputes.
Legal Aid also works with people looking to file bankruptcy cases. Its staff fights on behalf of consumers scammed by credit card debt collectors and others.
Qualifications and How to Apply
Legal Aid of Collier County provides services to a wide range of clients, including seniors, veterans, domestic violence survivors, and low-income and disabled individuals. However, not every individual or family in Collier County will qualify for assistance. In general, Legal Aid of Collier County extends services to:
• Seniors aged 60 and over
• Pregnant women
• Single parent families
• Single disabled adults
• Caretakers of minors
• Non-custodial parents (on a selective basis)
Although there are some exclusions, specific legal issues are given high priority when determining who may receive assistance. Domestic violence victims and their children, along with incapacitated adults, are given highest priority. Legal Aid also provides services to disabled veterans and those who are currently deployed.
Eligibility is determined based on an individual’s income, resources, special needs, and case merits. Because Legal Aid is financed by federal grants, they can serve clients who meet the income eligibility requirements, which are subject to federal poverty guidelines.
The application process begins with a phone call to the appropriate office for the individual’s location in Collier County. There are three separate branches of Legal Aid of Collier County. The North Naples office handles family matters from Marco Island to Lee County Line, Immokalee, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, and Estero. Those needing assistance with immigration, public benefits, and education should contact the Marco Island or Immokalee branches. A ninth office, Veterans Legal Clinic, provides assistance for the specific needs of veterans.
Individuals will be asked to provide personal information about themselves and their legal situation, so it is important to have relevant details readily available. This typically includes the name and location of your spouse or other involved party, the ages and social security numbers of minor children, and details pertaining to the legal problem you are facing.
After clients are approved for services, an attorney is assigned. In the vast majority of cases, the client is responsible for any court fees, but Legal Aid will waive these costs in some instances.
How It Assists the Community
Legal Aid of Collier County has been instrumental in empowering the local community through various programs designed to help individuals facing complex legal issues. One of the most significant impacts has been their involvement with veterans.
According to their website:
"During the 2017-18 fiscal year, the Pro Bono Project handled legal issues worth $2.1 million for low-income residents of Collier County… In 2018, more than 150 veterans who benefited from a free legal consultation at the Veterans Event attended the Pro Bono Project. In addition, in 2017, 275 veterans were served by the Pro Bono Project through general legal clinics and individual case work. The total value of pro bono legal services provided to the veteran community in Collier County in 2017 was $298,389."
Statistics aside, Legal Aid of Collier County has become a respected organization for low-income residents seeking legal help. Their legal aid clinic provides each client with a private meeting with an attorney, and each screening results in three hours of pro bono legal assistance.
Ways to Volunteer
Legal Aid of Collier County is always looking for helpful attorneys and community folks. According to our Chief Executive Officer the Honorable Tom Brown , "volunteers are the backbone of our agency." Sign up today at www.Collierlegalaid.org/Volunteer. The areas where needs are in particular and can use your involvement are: Family Law, Domestic Cases/Family Law, Naturalization Cases, Pro Bono Legal Clinics, Multidisciplinary Teams, and General Casework.
Where They Get Their Funding
Legal Aid of Collier County is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization. Since its inception in 1992, Legal Aid has relied on the generosity of the public and Wynne C. Hartman Society Members for support. Last year, over 1,000 donors helped Legal Aid meet its financial obligations. Admiral sponsors have been incredibly generous this year in their continued support of Legal Aid. We are also blessed with contributions from the public’s donation of SSL Certificates as well as special events. Donors and volunteers are invited to tour the office to learn how the county’s only non-profit law firm is funded and operated. The tremendous generosity of individuals, businesses and organizations helps sustain our mission of equal access to justice for all. Grants are the lifeblood of Legal Aid’s existence. Legal Aid enjoys a grant of $350,000 from the Florida Bar Foundation, along with a $25,000 grant from the Collier Community Foundation, $5,000 from the Collier County Women’s League and $1,500 per month from the Bigham Family Foundation.
Prudent budget management ensures that clients receive the greatest value from every dollar of donations received. We are proud to say that over 87 cents of every dollar serves a client in need.
Contact Details and References
Legal Aid of Collier County can be contacted via phone at (239) 775-7605 and navigated online at www.legalaidcc.org, where an overview of their services is available. General information is also available via www.collierclerk.com, as a compliment to the online system for filing documents in Florida, e-Portal, and the e-Courts System . As part of the latter initiative, pro se litigants now have the ability to file documents online in order to facilitate access to justice in the state courts. Legal Aid of Collier County may also be reached on social media at www.twitter.com/LegalAidCollier and www.facebook.com/legalservicescollier.