Washington Legal Resources Explained
Understanding the legal structure may prove helpful in finding legal aid or other assistance. Each state, including Washington, has a set of resources and providers that can help those with pressing legal issues. In addition to state-provided services, many non-profit agencies provide free or low-cost legal help to those in need throughout Washington State.
Legal Aid
Legal aid services render free legal counsel to low-income individuals and families. "Low-income" standards vary according to the type of services offered. For example, the financial eligibility criteria to qualify for advice from a civil legal aid attorney is $44,240 yearly net income for a household of four. Washington’s non-profit legal aid offices help the poor by providing counsel for civil matters. Specific services include assisting victims of domestic violence with the completion of legal documents. They offer advice on family law matters to low-income individuals who can’t afford a private attorney. Most legal aid offices work on criminal cases involving domestic violence. They represent the client at the arraignment and bail hearing. All states have legal aid, but eligibility requirements differ based on the nature of the service provided, as noted above. To find legal aid offices in your area , contact Washington’s Office of Public Defense for information regarding the services they provide.
Pro Bono
Pro bono services are provided by private attorneys who volunteer their time to represent those who can’t afford legal counsel. The attorneys are either in private practice or employed by an entity providing pro bono legal advice. Attorney volunteers do not charge their clients for legal advice. However, the client pays all litigation costs. The Lower Columbia Cap of WA and Oregon (LCC) has been on the frontlines providing free legal aid to Washington residents for more than 40 years. The LCA is comprised of volunteer lawyers who donate a portion of their time each month to assist low-income residents who can’t afford an attorney. Volunteer attorneys help clients navigate through new situations involving divorces, child custody, guardianship, landlord/tenant issues, and more.
Non-profit Organizations
More than 100 non-profit agencies and programs render services to the public in different areas of law, including family law, immigration, and elder law. A few examples of these organizations are: Some non-profit organizations serve specific populations, such as Hispanic citizens, Native Americans, and immigrants. Others cover a wide range of areas in civil law. Most seek volunteers to meet the high demand for legal services throughout Washington.
How to Get the Right Kind of Legal Help
The first step towards understanding your legal needs is to identify exactly what those needs are, and to determine what type of help you require. Family law is very different from criminal law, immigration is distinct from personal injury. And while all attorneys may serve some overall similar purposes, you don’t want to go to a divorce lawyer for help with a criminal charge. Nor do you likely want to go to a criminal lawyer for help battling fraudulent credit card charges. Different types of lawyers may specialize in different areas of the law. In Washington, most law schools train the next generation of attorneys in both state law and federal law issues. There may be very slight variances based on the school. For example, the University of Washington in Seattle puts a strong emphasis on environmental law, while Seattle Pacific University is an evangelical Christian institution, so it may focus more on family law concerns. However, it should be noted that while most lawyers graduated from the same or a similar type of law school, no two lawyers are identical. When searching for a good lawyer to take on your case, you first need to ask yourself what your needs are. Do you have a family matter that requires litigation in family court? Are you being charged with a crime? Did your credit card information get stolen online and you’re now facing massive debt? Each case is different, and a good attorney will not attempt to take a case simply because they specialize in multiple legal areas; instead, they will direct you to another attorney who is more familiar with that area of the law. When selecting who to hire, you are advised to look at the matters on which the attorney already specializes. If your matter involves the law, this attorney has already had experiences in this area and can assist you in your case.
Navigating the Washington State Justice System
The legal system in Washington State, like other states, has its own unique processes and procedures. Nevertheless, there are some universal concepts that every person seeking legal advice and representation should understand. First among these concepts is that the courts have both civil and criminal dockets. On the civil side, most courtrooms are open to the public and citizens may attend hearings to observe and learn. For those interested in the processes and procedures, the Washington State Courts website (www.courts.wa.gov) also has procedure overview guides available. For pro se litigants who wish to have the assistance of a professional support, numerous service providers in the Seattle metropolitan area can assist with everything from locating appropriate forms (available online through the courts site), to serving those forms, to filing them in court. Legal Aid serves those who do not have the funds available to pursue their legal matters. There are also numerous nonprofit organizations such as the International Legal Project. One of the best ways to learn about the courts is to attend a Family Law Orientation (FLO) class offered in English and Spanish. It is important to remember that even though the courts have many resources available to the public to help with the legal system, the courts cannot advocate for any party. Family law is one of the most complicated areas of the law with more pitfalls for pro se litigants than most other areas so it is recommended that anyone involved in a family court proceeding have legal counsel.
Working with Legal Professionals in Washington
To get the most from your experience with legal professionals, you can benefit from a few tips on how to conduct yourself during the initial consultation and throughout the case. From the first meeting to any following communication, you should always be prepared and handle yourself with professionalism.
Show up to the first meeting armed with knowledge of the services you need. Finding an attorney who specializes in the right area of law for your needs is only part of the equation. Finding an attorney you feel will work well with you is another major component. Come to your initial meeting with a checklist of questions and topics to cover, and thoroughly evaluate the responses you receive to these questions. You want to leave the meeting with a clear take on what services you’ll receive, how much you’ll pay, the expected course of the case or process, and how you will communicate through the process.
Even if you have been referred to an attorney by a trusted friend or colleague, during your visit you have to determine if you feel comfortable enough with the lawyer to move forward with him or her. You should get a read on their personality and like their method of communication. It’s important to find someone with whom you feel free to discuss your case and any concerns that may arise, as unresolved issues can cause major problems down the road. Finding an attorney you can trust now will save you time and money in the future.
If you do not understand something about your case or the legal advice you are given, don’t be afraid to ask! The legal field is fraught with confusing terms and concepts, and while a legal expert may be able to rattle off all the law, it is your responsibility to make sure the information is clear and understood.
Communicate your expectations clearly and stick to your checklist of what you need from the professional you choose. Never be afraid to shop around to find the best legal professional for you. Compared to other industries, legal professionals are paid according to what you, the client, is willing to pay. Make sure when you leave the initial meeting, you have a clear roadmap of what to expect and what you will provide, and maintain communication with your legal advisor throughout the process.
Common Legal Concerns in Washington
A few of the most common legal issues for Washington State residents are landlord-tenant disputes, family law cases, and traffic violations.
Landlord-Tenant Disputes
Seattle law provides some specific protections and expectations for both landlords and tenants. It is essential to know what a tenant can or cannot do under a lease. A few important rights and obligations include: The above issues are just a few of the most common questions that landlords and tenants may have. A good resource on these issues is the Seattle City Attorney website, where you can find the Seattle Landlord-Tenant Law FAQ. However, due to the intricacies of lease agreements and the law that applies to different circumstances , it would be a good idea to get some legal advice for your rights and obligations and the best ways to resolve your landlord-tenant dispute.
Family Law Cases
Family law attorney work can include everything from divorce proceedings to child custody and support issues. It encompasses so much territory that a family law attorney is almost always able to assist people with their most pressing legal concerns. A few of the most common areas include the following:
Traffic Violations
Most traffic violation attorneys are able to help with many types of Washington traffic laws, including: Of course, there are numerous laws, rules and regulations that apply to driving on Seattle roads, and the greater Washington State as well. If you have received notification of a potential traffic violation or notice to appear in court, it is in your best interest to speak to an experienced Washington traffic violation attorney for help understanding your options for defending against these charges.
Online Legal Referral Services
Online legal help is widely available for residents of Washington State. Free and low-cost legal help websites include the following:
Another option that can help Washington state residents to find an attorney is an online lawyer directory such as our own, where you can input your city and specific legal needs and be connected to lawyers in your area. The benefit of these online services is that you can search from the comfort of your own home on your own schedule. Drawbacks can include getting an overwhelming number of results or running into technological assistance issues.
Some online legal services, such as RocketLawyer, also offer downloadable legal forms that can help Washington State residents avoid the expense of hiring an attorney to draft basic documents like an Affidavit of Support.
In general, online legal help can work for residents of any region of the state, but it can be especially helpful to residents of rural areas of the state, like Adams County and neighboring counties in central, eastern and northern Washington State.
Testimonials and Successful Outcomes
"My insurance company would not pay for a brand name prescription that was necessary," says Jessica M., a Seattle resident. "After months of fighting with them, I contacted an insurance claims lawyer who helped me understand my rights under the law, then took the case to trial to recover the cost for my medicine. Without him, I would have lost the prescription coverage." A North Bend family of four was devastated when someone crashed into their car while under the influence of drugs and alcohol. "After the accident," James P. remembers , "we were upside-down in debt. My daughter and I required major surgery and therapy. My wife and I both lost our jobs because we had to take off so much time to take care of our daughter. We contacted a personal injury lawyer who took our case pro bono so that we could afford our daughter’s medical care." "My husband of 50 years died suddenly and we were not prepared," says Donna P. of Tacoma. "I found out too late that I could have him sign a will to protect me from losing my life savings when nursing home care became necessary. I was forced to sell my house and our summer retreat on Whidbey Island to pay for his expenses."