For people who can’t afford a lawyer, going to court can be a frightening and overwhelming experience. A service called LawHelp Interactive helps by making it easier to fill out essential legal documents. LawHelp Interactive is a project of Pro Bono Net, a national nonprofit that works to increase access to justice. Users of the free service complete an online questionnaire about their legal issue. LawHelp Interactive then uses the responses to create a correctly completed legal document. The service can be found at www.lawhelpinteractive.org, and specific forms can be accessed via LawHelp.org,...

Dealing with debt collection agencies can be stressful and overwhelming. It’s important to remember that you have legal rights as to when and where you receive these calls. Resources like LawHelp.org, an online consumer legal information portal, provide information and self-help resources to help you deal with debt collectors. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, which covers personal (as opposed to business) debts, debt collectors may not contact you early in the morning or late at night without your permission, and may not contact you at work if they’re told (orally or in writing)...

With the recession pushing more Americans into poverty, it’s critical that taxpayers learn about and obtain all the tax credits that they’re entitled to. Online resources such as www.LawHelp.org, a national legal information portal, offer a variety of free tools and information for those grappling with tax preparation. Resources accessible from LawHelp.org include easy-to-understand information about both state and federal taxes, including fact sheets for those facing a variety of special circumstances; information about rebates and tax credits; links to sites offering free tax filing;...

The 2010 Census will begin in March. The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, and is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years. Census data is extremely important, but it’s also important to be cautious – criminals may take the opportunity to pose as Census workers and collect personal information to be used in fraud and identity theft. Resources available on sites such as LawHelp (www.LawHelp.org), a national legal information portal, can help citizens distinguish between actual Census workers and crooks. It’s important to participate in the Census, which...

Men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces often face difficulties in accessing benefits and services they are entitled to.  There are more than 23 million veterans in the U.S., including more than 1 million who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Among the issues they may have to deal with are disability benefit claims, housing issues, insurance and child custody or other family problems. Fortunately, there are resources for veterans in need of free legal assistance, including LawHelp (www.LawHelp.org), a national legal information portal. Disability claims are...

Family law refers to an area of law intended to assist families in resolving various legal issues. This can include a wide range of topics, such as adoption, child support, child custody, divorce, guardianship, paternity, spousal support and termination of parental rights. These problems can be very complicated and stressful, and it can be difficult to navigate the legal processes. However, there are online resources, such as www.LawHelp.org, that can provide much-needed information. Family law is mainly divided into the categories of marriage and children; a division with a blurred line because...

With unemployment at a 16-year-high in 2009, questions about unemployment benefits are on the minds of many Americans. Luckily, there are places to turn for help, including LawHelp (www.LawHelp.org) and other online resources. Unemployment insurance is a benefit provided by the state for workers who meet certain eligibility requirements and who are unemployed due to no fault of their own. The specific details of the temporary financial assistance provided are determined by state governments within the guidelines set by federal law. Presently there are 50 state unemployment insurance programs,...

This Virginia State Bar is mindful of protecting the reputation of lawyers in the state and discourages any behavior that might lead to a public distrust of the legal profession or legal system in general. Deceptive advertising is one of the behaviors that could hinder the reputation of lawyers and the legal system, so the Virginia State Bar enacted certain regulations to ensure legal advertising is both factual and informative. The purpose of legal advertisements under Virginia law is to “inform the public of the availability of competent, independent legal counsel.” Advertising should be...

Personal bankruptcy is a legal proceeding in which a person is released from the obligation to pay most or all of his or her accrued debt. A declaration of bankruptcy stops creditors from trying to collect debts at least until the law has sorted them out. Bankruptcy is not the right step for everyone who is in debt. The requirements and the consequences mean that careful consideration should go into any decision to seek individual bankruptcy relief. For example, bankruptcy information (both the date of your filing and the later date of discharge) stays on your credit report for 10 years, and...

One in every four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, according to the National Institute of Justice and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. However, victims of abuse are not alone. There is support available, through hotlines such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) and websites such as www.WomensLaw.org and www.LawHelp.org. Domestic violence is about one person getting and keeping power and control over another person in an intimate relationship. While it is exerted in different forms, domestic violence often entails physical violence,...