LEGAL HELP FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY RESIDENTS
Snohomish County Legal Services (SCLS) provides free civil legal aid services to eligible low-income residents of Snohomish County, regardless of documentation status. Whether you have a civil legal issue or do not know if your situation requires legal assistance, SCLS can help you understand your legal rights and empower you in self-advocacy and self-sufficiency. We focus on legal areas impacting basic human needs, such as Family Law, Housing and Wills for seniors. Complete an intake form to see if you qualify for our services. No cost interpreter services are available.
FAMILY LAW SERVICES
We provide advice and guidance in family law, such as dissolution, parenting plans, and modifications. We offer clinics and workshops to assist with divorce (dissolution), custody or parenting plans, protection orders, and more.
Family Law Clinic- Our staff and volunteer attorneys provide clients with advice to more effectively and confidently represent themselves in court. Clients may use clinic time to receive basic advice, ask specific questions, or receive assistance with reviewing or drafting paperwork. We do not provide direct representation in court. Pre-registration is required. To apply, contact CLEAR (Coordinated Legal Education, Advice and Referral) at 1-888-201-1014 weekdays between 9:15a-12:15p or apply online through our community partner at https://nwjustice.org/apply-online.
Dissolution Classes– Our Dissolution Classes, also known as DiSCO (Divorce in Snohomish County), are offered twice a month in a two-part series. This class offers an educational presentation of the divorce process in Snohomish County. Attendees will receive paperwork to initiate a dissolution (divorce) action. DiSCO- Getting Started is 2nd Monday @ 1pm; DiSCO – Moving On is 4th Friday @1pm; hybrid options (Zoom and/or In Person) Once a client is verified as eligible for services, a staff member will reach out to schedule an appointment. Attendance is by appointment only.
To apply for the Dissolution Class visit the DiSCO event on our Events Calendar.
chapter 7 bankruptcy
Clients can receive basic advice on debt issues and whether to file for a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Clients may receive brief advice on how to file for a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy on their own or “pro se”. To apply for bankruptcy services, visit the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Clinic event on our Events Calendar.
You can also find self-help information under “Filing Without an Attorney” at https://www.wawb.uscourts.gov/.
housing justice project
The SCLS Housing Justice Project (HJP) provides a wide range of services, including information about the eviction process, referrals to other agencies or lawyers, legal advice negotiation with the landlord’s attorney, and helping prepare for an Unlawful Detainer Action (eviction), or Show Cause hearing, Orders of Limited Dissemination (OLD) which limits the information about an eviction that can be publicly disclosed, and other landlord-tenant issues such as security deposit or damages disputes. Our HJP operates the daily walk-up housing legal clinic at the Snohomish County Courthouse. SCLS also provides eviction defense services through the Appointed Counsel Program in Snohomish County. See Housing Justice for additional information about services, available resources and how to get help.
Ways to Apply:
Online – You can complete our intake paperwork online at this link SCLS HJP Intake.
Print – print and complete the attached intake form HJP Intake (Print) Then, take a picture or scan it, and email it back information@snocolegal.org
In-person (by appointment) – Call (425) 258-9283 ex.0; Visiting our HJP walk-up clinic – located at the Snohomish County Superior Court. The HJP clinic is open from 9:00 – 11:00 AM, Monday-Friday.
APPOINTED COUNSEL PROGRAM
In Washington State, eligible tenants may receive a court appointed attorney in their eviction defense, at no cost. Snohomish County Legal Services is a provider of court appointed eviction defense services, for Snohomish County, through our ‘Tenants Appointed Counsel Program’ (ACP). Applicants must qualify for this program.
Our Appointed Counsel Program Department has a team of experienced attorneys to serve the community. We provide the full spectrum of legal services for all of our ACP clients. If eligible, clients are appointed an ACP attorney to assist in their eviction defense. This often includes preparing and filing documents with the court, negotiating and communicating on behalf of the client, and appearing for court hearings. While cases are often fought in the courtroom, many of the cases are resolved by negotiations. These negotiations are important and we approach them with your goals and tenant protections in mind. If an eviction case goes to trial – we will be there with you all along the way.
See HOUSING JUSTICE PROJECT for additional information about services, available resources and how to get help.
wills for seniors
Our quarterly Wills for Seniors Clinic is offered to low-income seniors (age 60+) residents of Snohomish County. Volunteer attorneys help prepare documents including Simple Wills, Power of Attorney, and Health Care Directives. During the clinic, a Notary Public will be on hand to notarize the documents and clients leave with completed and fully executed documents.
See our Events Calendar for dates. For information or to register for an upcoming event, contact us.
UPCOMING EVENTS AND CLINICS
Events
CONTACT SNOHOMISH COUNTY LEGAL SERVICES
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