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,...

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...

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...

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,...

Before you file a misconduct inquiry about a lawyer, you need to realize that an accusation of unethical conduct is very serious and should not be made without trying to resolve the conflict by an honest communication with the lawyer first. However, if you did all you could to resolve the conflict and you still think the lawyer should be disciplined for his/her actions, you can file a misconduct inquiry to the Intake Office of the Virginia State Bar. Prior to filling, make sure to check if your situation is a subject to the Virginia State Bar’s disciplinary process or if it should be resolved...

It’s an all-too-common fact of life–occasionally we run into situations where we require the services of a lawyer. Whether it’s a simple task like forming a will or something more complex like a lawsuit or a breach of contract, a lawyer can make all the difference in making sure everything is done according to proper legal standards. It can be hard to find a good lawyer, though. Personal referrals can be helpful, but if you’re new to an area or don’t have resources to get a referral, it’s harder to find someone you know you can count on. The Virginia State Bar...

In the event of a divorce, there is often some confusion as to who gets what in the settlement. While nobody plans on a divorce, the fact is that it does quite often occur, and you need to be prepared in that event. Generally speaking, property received through inheritance by one partner during a marriage is not subject to division of assets after a separation, unless the property has been specifically transferred to mutual ownership by the couple. The Marital Property Act specifically addresses this issue by dividing assets into two categories: community property and separate property. Community...