Other low-cost options
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If you can´t afford a lawyer and don´t meet federal legal
service agency income and eligibility
standards, you might be eligible for free or reduced-fee legal help.
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How
can the State Bar of Wisconsin help?
The State
Bar of Wisconsin does not provide a formal intake and referral program for low-income
clients. However, a number of attorneys statewide are willing to handle pro
bono, or as a public service, if your case matches their ability to help.
The State
Bar also offers a limited number of hours of free legal assistance through various
programs -- Business
Assistance, Non-Profit Business Assistance, Environmental
Assistance, Pro bono resources and Wisconsin Lawyers for the Arts.
How do
I seek reduced-fee assistance on my own?
Anyone can
request free or reduced-fee assistance from an attorney. Contact an attorney,
explain your situation, and negotiate a waiver of fees or reduced fees on a payment
schedule on which both of you agree. You can look through the yellow pages in
your local phone book to find attorneys listed in the various areas of law. For
other tips, consult Hiring and Working With a Lawyer or download our document that has a list of other resources.
Keep in Mind
Remember
that an attorney´s time is valuable, so keep your request for assistance
as concise and direct as you can. If your case involves a court date, don´t
wait until the last minute to call. An attorney will usually need several weeks´
notice to allow adequate time to prepare your case.
Although
most attorneys do some form of pro bono representation, they might not be able
to take your case for a number of reasons. They might not have the technical
expertise you need. Their caseload might be too full to accept new clients.
Their workplace might restrict their work, or they might have other conflicts.
Additional reading:
"Answering Your Questions About Hiring and Working with a Lawyer" and "The
Client´s Bill of Rights."
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