Legal Aid Services in Parkersburg
Legal aid refers to a variety of services designed to help people who are unable to afford their own private legal guidance. Such services are often provided by nonprofit organizations and funded by the federal, state and local governments. In West Virginia, the programs that provide legal aid are administered by the West Virginia State Bar and include the West Virginia Statewide Information & Referral System, the West Virginia Bar Foundation and Legal Aid of West Virginia .
The availability of legal aid is critical for many residents of Parkersburg and the surrounding areas in West Virginia. Some of the most common situations in which residents of the city may find themselves in need of legal aid include:
Many individuals and families encounter at least one of these situations at some point in their lives. The cost of private legal representation often deters these people from pursuing justice, even when they have clear evidence on their side. Legal aid services help them obtain what they deserve without fear of financial retribution.
Legal Aid Resources in Parkersburg
Services Offered by Legal Aid Organizations in Parkersburg, WV
In general, legal aid organizations provide a wide array of services for residents in Parkersburg and the surrounding areas. While exact services differ somewhat from one organization to the next, the following legal services are available in Parkersburg, WV.
Civil legal aid represents a broad range of issues, and as such legal aid organizations provide services in many different areas. These include family law (child custody, divorce, domestic violence, etc.), housing (eviction, homelessness, etc.), consumer protection (identity theft, fraudulent financial schemes, debt collection harassment, etc.), and access to justice (immigration, violence against women, prisoner rights, etc.).
As previously stated, legal aid organizations in Parkersburg, WV, differ from one another. The precise services offered are contingent on the resources at their disposal. But regardless, civil legal aid organizations stand out as invaluable community resources. Legal aid society volunteers and attorneys work together to assist low-income residents of Parkersburg with their civil legal issues. For those living on a limited income, legal aid is a vital service.
While legal aid organizations are able to provide many great services for people in our communities, unfortunately their resources are limited. This means that certain highly specialized types of activities are realistically beyond their capabilities. These include the following:
With legal aid organizations being unable to provide assistance on all issues, it is important to note that they do not represent clients in all legal matters. However, legal aid community partners are able to direct clients toward additional sources of assistance.
How You Qualify for Legal Aid in Parkersburg
Individuals who seek legal aid must meet specific eligibility requirements to be considered for assistance. Eligibility for legal aid in Parkersburg or within the state of West Virginia is based on household income, residency, and situation. Legal aid is provided for civil matters, such as divorce, child custody, landlord/tenant disputes, bankruptcy, and more.
Income guidelines for legal aid in Parkersburg are updated each year and published by the West Virginia Legal Aid Society. For individuals or couples who are not pregnant and have no dependents, household income must not exceed 125% of the federal poverty line for services to be rendered. This translates to $15,000 or less for an individual or a married couple who have no children.
The income cap rises slightly when considering exemptions for pregnant women (135% of the federal poverty level), single parents with children under 21 who live at home (150% of the federal poverty level) and two-parent homes who have a sole provider or live in the same home with a disabled person as their family head (175% of the federal poverty level). Asset limits also apply, restricting applicants from seeking public assistance to qualify them for legal aid services.
Residency requirements for legal aid in Parkersburg state that individuals seeking assistance for legal aid in Wood County must be legal residents of West Virginia and reside in Wood County or an adjacent county in East Ohio. These counties include Washington, Monroe, Monroe and Tyler counties. Individuals seeking legal aid in Parkersburg must not already be represented by lawyers for the purposes of civil and administrative cases and cannot have already received legal aid for the instance they seek help.
Others who require legal aid but do not meet the above requirements, including non-residents, seniors and those who require assistance for criminal cases may receive necessary assistance through referral to outside organizations.
How to Locate Legal Aid Providers in Parkersburg
Legal aid offices can be found at the following locations in Parkersburg, West Virginia:
Barren County Legal Aid Society
507 3rd St # 100
Parkersburg, WV 26101-5363
(304) 422-3570
Located on 3rd. Street between Avery St. and Murdoch Ave. Office is on the first floor.
Legal Aid Society – Wood County
210 Ninth Street, Suite 100
Parkersburg, WV 26101
949-9514 fax 429-8041
Located on 9th St. between Avery St. and Market St. Office is on the first floor.
West Virginia Legal Services Plan, Inc.
3333 16th St Ste B
Parkersburg, WV 26104-1761
(304) 485-8300
The office of the West Virginia Legal Services Plan, Inc., in Parkersburg is located in Parkersburg.
To initiate legal aid assistance with one of these offices in Parkersburg, West Virginia, you’ll need to call them directly. Please make sure that you fully explain your situation, and provide them with any documentation they may ask for. In many cases, you may be required to visit their office in person to request legal aid.
The Effects of Legal Aid on Your Case
The impact of legal aid on civil cases can be substantial. Legal aid is designed to level the playing field for those who otherwise cannot afford an attorney, and in many circumstances, that can significantly change the outcome of a case. For example, suppose you are facing eviction and have no prior experience with the legal system. You may not understand the process or the law. If you don’t show up to the hearing, you will certainly lose. If you hire the attorney for a couple hundred dollars an hour, you may not have enough money to pay rent. If you end up resolving the case through negotiation, you may get more time or possibly even avoid eviction.
Now suppose you are in the same scenario, but this time , a government program pays for your attorney. The program conducts an analysis of your finances to determine if you qualify for free legal services. Your lawyer will conduct an interview to understand the facts of the situation and your goals. The attorney then attends the eviction hearing with you. An advocate is there on your side who knows the law and can explain what is happening at various junctures in the case. The issue of rent is negotiated at the hearing. Instead of falling behind on rent because you could not afford to hire an attorney, you now have extra time to pay, because a knowledgeable advocate was there to help you navigate the process. Now, instead of two months behind, you are just one month in the hole.
Many of our cases involve people coming to us after having been formally offered services. More than 90% of the time, the offer of legal assistance is accepted and the person receives the help they need. We see the potential impact when someone is able to get good counsel early in the process, as opposed to struggling on their own until it is too late to fix the situation.
Legal Aid Challenges in Parkersburg
In recent years, legal aid organizations in Parkersburg, like those elsewhere in the United States, have faced several challenges that have made it difficult for them to function optimally. One of the most pressing issues has been funding. According to data from the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), the federal government has cut legal aid funding by 4 percent over the last year, and that funding is expected to decrease even further next year. Similarly, the LSC reported that budget shortfalls have resulted in reductions of legal aid funding by an average of 18 percent among various states. FairFile, which is a project of the West Virginia Press Association, reports that the funding available for low-income legal services in West Virginia is less than half of what would be required to meet the need for these services. Besides these vertical issues with funding, horizontal issues with funding have also resulted in an unstable legal aid infrastructure in Parkersburg. The LSC reports that the average funding of $5 million for legal aid per congressional district falls far below the $20 million needed for adequate coverage. Along with funding difficulties, legal aid organizations in Parkersburg have also struggled with staffing shortages. FairFile notes that according to 2011 data from the LSC, West Virginia has a substantially smaller number of private attorneys in comparison to surrounding states. These outcomes have forced legal aid organizations to prioritize the types of cases that they can handle. For example, groups are currently providing legal services to less than half of the 1.1 million low-income people who are eligible for their assistance in West Virginia. Even with significant contributions of time by volunteer lawyers, a shortage of attorneys has meant that many West Virginians are being forced to represent themselves against large financial institutions and other powerful interests in court rooms. The reality is that for poor residents of Parkersburg and elsewhere, justice is being delayed and denied. Demand for legal aid services continues to increase at the same time that funding and staffing are dwindling. According to the LSC, legal aid services in West Virginia are facing an "overwhelming demand" as a result of the high levels of unemployment in the wake of the recession. FairFile reports that approximately 35 percent of the civil cases brought in Parkersburg involve eviction or foreclosure issues. Similarly, the LSC reports that domestic violence cases have increased significantly since 2008 and comprise the largest share of the new cases filed in the state’s courts. Thus, minority groups in areas such as Parkersburg and surrounding areas are suffering from a lack of access to quality legal services with devastating consequences.
How to Help With Legal Aid Efforts
Individuals and businesses in Parkersburg can play a vital role in supporting local legal aid organizations through various means. One of the most effective ways is by making monetary or in-kind donations. These contributions help legal aid organizations maintain their operations and extend their services to more individuals in need. Many legal aid groups have donation portals on their websites, providing an easy and secure method for contributions.
Volunteering is another great way to support legal aid initiatives. Organizations often seek volunteers for non-legal tasks such as administrative work, event organization, and fundraising. Lawyers can offer pro bono legal services , while students can intern or volunteer during holidays or summer breaks. This not only provides necessary support to legal aid organizations but also gives volunteers invaluable experience in their fields of interest.
Advocacy is equally important in maintaining and expanding legal aid services in Parkersburg. Advocacy efforts can include championing for increased government funding and resources, raising awareness about the importance of access to legal representation for all, and supporting local initiatives that enhance the justice system.
By contributing to legal aid organizations in whatever capacity possible, individuals and businesses in Parkersburg can make a difference in the lives of many vulnerable individuals who may otherwise be deprived of their legal rights and protections.