New Website Connects Hoosiers to Civil Legal Aid
Hoosiers have a new website to help connect them to civil (non-criminal) legal aid and resources. Created by the Coalition for Court Access, indianalegalhelp.org was launched in the fall of 2018. The website aims to connect Hoosiers to civil legal aid organizations, information, and resources. The site also has self-help forms for those who choose to represent themselves in court. The Coalition for Court Access was created in 2016 by the Indiana Supreme Court to improve the availability and quality of civil legal services for persons of limited means.
Find Legal Help Near You
The website features an interactive map that directs users to free and low-cost civil legal aid in their area. To find a list of organizations that provide legal services in your area, go to Legal Help Near You and click on your county of residence. Providers include local legal aid and pro bono organizations. Organizations that provide help throughout the state are also listed, such as the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana. Civil legal aid providers have income restrictions and guidelines for assistance.
Legal Resources
The website also offers information and resources on legal and related issues. The Information and Resources tab directs users to information on topics like consumer protection, housing and elder care.
Need help answering a specific legal question? The Ask a Question tab links users to where qualified users can receive free, specific answers to their legal questions from volunteers.
Self-Help
The Coalition for Court Access encourages all Hoosiers to seek legal representation from an attorney. However, for those who choose to go to court without an attorney, the website also offers several self-help forms. Forms are available in many areas, including divorce, child support, name and gender change and specialized driving privileges.
TIP: Before going to court without an attorney, click on the Going To Court Without A Lawyer tab to view the information provided by the Indiana Supreme Court.
So, who can use indianalegalhelp.org? Any Hoosier! Whether to find a legal aid organization in your area or to connect to information and resources on a specific legal problem, indianalegalhelp.org is an outstanding resource for all Hoosiers.
About the Coalition for Court Access
The Coalition for Court Access was created by Supreme Court order on May 17, 2016 to provide a focused and comprehensive organizational structure for Indiana’s civil legal aid programs. The twenty-one-member Coalition coordinates all Supreme Court related programs designed to provide civil legal aid to those with limited financial resources. The Coalition includes judges, law school representatives, civil legal aid and pro bono providers, and Indiana State Bar Association and Foundation members. The Indiana Bar Foundation serves as the fiscal and administrative agent for the Coalition.
