Accessing Legal Aid in Butler County: A Detailed Guide

What You Need to Know About Legal Aid in Butler County

There are a number of different agencies and organizations available in Butler County, such as the Butler County Bar Association, that provide legal assistance to the low-income population of the region. While many area families believe that legal aid for civil cases is only offered through one organization, the truth is that there are a variety of service providers that can offer help. The Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation is a group that provides funding for a number of other agencies operating around the state.
The Ohio Legal Assistance Foundation is a private nonprofit that works to better the quality of life for the people living in Ohio by providing legal support in civil cases, advancing the interest of low-income people, and enhancing the justice system overall .
Law firms have also banded together in an effort to offer direct legal assistance to those in need via volunteer efforts and pro bono representation. Pro bono work is any legal work that is done for free or at a highly reduced rate. In Butler County, there are a number of firms that have volunteered their time and efforts to the local legal aid group Cincinnati Legal Aid and the Greater Cincinnati Collaborative. These firms include the recognized statewide practice of Frost Brown Todd LLC, the deeply rooted regional firm of Buning & Laprade, the full-service firm of Jamieson, Sage & McAdam LLC, the popular family law firm of Mills, Mills, Fiely & Lucas and Massie & Edelman Co., LPA that offers legal aid services and the Middletown offices of Dinsmore & Shohl LLP.

Who Qualifies for Legal Aid Services in Butler County

The first step to determine if you might be eligible for legal aid is the income test. According to legalserves.org, this is based on federal poverty guidelines as set by the US Department of Health and Human Services. If your household income is at or below 125% of the federal guideline, then you may be eligible for free legal aid services. However, depending on your specific situation, you may qualify for services even when your income is above 125% of the federal guideline. There are other factors involved in determining your eligibility, which may vary from situation to situation.
In general, low-income residents of Butler County who are involved in civil litigation may be eligible for legal aid services. Keep in mind that eligibility is not automatic; an application will be reviewed by attorneys, who will then determine if the legal aid organization can help. But if your income meets or falls below the federal protocol, you may be able to receive free legal aid services offered by Butler County agencies.
While income may be a factor in determining your eligibility for legal assistance, there are other stipulations as well. When legal aid services have broad enough circumstances defined, you may be able to qualify for assistance even if your income places you slightly above the federal guideline.

How to Apply for Legal Aid in Butler County

To apply for legal aid in Butler County, individuals must complete a standard application form after confirming eligibility requirements specific to their needs. Legal aid providers in Butler County assist those seeking free or low-cost legal services by helping them fill out applications and determining qualification for their programs.
Most legal aid services in Butler County are free of charge to local residents who meet financial eligibility guidelines. However, there is a strict application process in place that serves to screen out ineligible applicants.
Those interested in receiving legal aid in Butler County may be required to submit documentation regarding income, household size, and the specific legal issue they face (e.g. landlord-tenant disputes, custody issues, domestic violence cases, etc.). Most applications require proof of financial need such as copies of bank statements, pay stubs, or tax returns for the most recent year. Applicants should take care to submit as much documentation as possible with their applications for legal aid. Incomplete applications can lead to processing delays and frustration on both sides.
The main point of contact for seeking legal aid in Butler County is the Butler County Bar Association. The BCBA offers legal information services that can help individuals secure free legal assistance through local and state-specific pro bono programs and legal aid resources. Individuals can also call the PA Legal Help website for information on the specific requirements for legal aid in their county.
To apply for legal aid and request a pro bono lawyer in Butler County, individuals can call or email the Butler County Bar Association Licensing Service Bureau:
Butler County Bar Association Licensing Service Bureau
p 724-841-0130
e [email protected]
They may also be able to apply online through the Butler County Bar Association website. Free legal clinics are also held at various locations throughout the county that provide legal advice at little to no cost. The clinics are supported by BCBA members volunteering their time and expertise to provide legal advice to individuals in need.
All applications for legal aid in Butler County will be reviewed by an attorney prior to determining eligibility. In most cases, applicants can expect to receive an answer regarding their legal aid application within 5 to 10 business days. Once an applicant is approved for legal aid, they will be connected with a pro bono lawyer or legal aid provider who will represent them and advise them throughout the course of their case.

Types of Legal Matters Covered by Legal Aid in Butler County

Types of Legal Cases Covered by Legal Aid in Butler County
Not all legal issues qualify for assistance from the Legal Aid Society, but many do. Family law issues such as divorce, child custody and support, spousal support and Adoption are common areas where legal aid can step in to help. Some divorce cases will not be accepted.
Child custody and support matters involving domestic violence or low incomes may qualify. While some spousal support issues qualify for assistance, issues not associated with a divorce and complex spousal support cases are not accepted. Adoption cases involving a step-parent where there is consent from the other party or an easy-to-obtain putative father registry case qualify for representation.
Housing issues for adults and children fall within the purview of legal aid. A recent surge in evictions means this area of representation is in high demand. Tenants must be able to show their income falls below a certain threshold to qualify for representation in court. Without representation, low-income tenants often lose evictions contrary to their best interests. Even with representation, some clients still lose. All cases have pros and cons. The most common housing cases that qualify involve issues of public housing, security deposit claims, utility and rent issue disputes and landlord-tenant issues.
Consumer issues also fall within the scope of legal aid. The most common issues here that are accepted involve tenant and mortgage foreclosure assistance. Under the Fair Debt Collection Act, collectors and lenders must follow specific rules nationally, and consumers have a right to protections under the law. The most common consumer issues that will be accepted for representation in Butler County related to abusive debt collection practices, credit reporting, car repossession and student loans. Other consumer issues, such as phone fraud, do not fall under the category.
Custody disputes involving children are also accepted for representation in Butler County. The general requirements include a financial statement and proof of a periodic income. Most cases, including our family law and housing cases, usually require initial funding to the client retainer account before any work is performed on the case.

Primary Legal Aid Organizations Operating in Butler County

Ohio Regional Anti-Poverty Collaborative (ORAC)

(513) 760-1712

0001 W. Central Ave.
Suite 200
West Chester, OH 45205
Website: www.oraconline.org
The Ohio Regional Anti-Poverty Collaborative – or ORAC – is dedicated to equal access to justice for all. As part of the United Way, it operates according to the United Way’s strict accountability standards.
The organization’s regional office is located in West Chester, OH. This office coordinates and supervises 10 other offices throughout a nine-county area, directing legal aid services to residents living in each surround county.
Eligible residents can contact the regional office for assistance or direction regarding which local office to contact for more specific legal concerns.
ORAC welcomes all eligible residents needing legal assistance. Residents are able to access several free services, including legal advice hotlines, extensive referral networks, self-help centers, pro-bono clinics, and plain-language publications.
The primary phone number for contacting the regional office is 513-760-1712.
Ohio Justice and Policy Center (OJPC)

(513) 421-1109

250 E 5th St.
Suite 350
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: www.ojpc.org
The Ohio Justice & Policy Center is a Cincinnati-based nonprofit organization that operates according to its mission to remove barriers to safety, equality, justice and opportunity for families and individuals across the state of Ohio .
OJPC exists entirely on private donations and offers a broad range of statewide services designed to address numerous civil justice issues faced by the region’s most vulnerable residents.
To provide services, OJPC works in partnership with several major local advocacy organizations, including:
The center provides numerous legal services including:
Cincinnati Bar Association (CBA)

(513) 381-8210

225 E. 6th St., 9th Floor
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: www.cincybar.org
The Cincinnati Bar Association – or CBA – is a local organization that is part of a broad network of regional bar associations and national bar associations. These very large entities exist to further the aims of a legal profession while working to maintain the ethical standards of the legal community, protecting the integrity of the legal profession.
Members of the Cincinnati Bar Association pay membership dues in return for the services and support provided by the association. Some of these services include a member directory, networking events, referrals for professional seminars, and continuing legal education.
The Cincinnati Bar Association contacts those seeking representation from their online resources. The CBA also handles requests for referrals to local attorneys.

Top Legal Aid Success Stories in Butler County

Real-life cases can serve to illustrate the vital impact of legal aid services in our region. One such example is a case in which a mother of two children, seeking a divorce from an abusive husband, was provided representation at no cost. Ensuring that the mother had emergency shelter and was safe from her abusive husband was a prerequisite for legal representation from the agency. The case ended positively, and she received a divorce and custody of her children, as well as protection from her husband’s further harassment and violence.
In another case, a low-income elderly couple facing foreclosure on their home received legal representation. The agency helped the couple save their home, preventing the couple from homelessness and potential hospital stay, and enabling her to maintain her job whereas the foreclosure would have left her unable to work. While the example of just two success stories cannot do justice to the full scope of the help provided to our community members year round, these cases have made a significant difference in the lives of these two families.

Further Information and Assistance

If you are still uncertain about your eligibility for legal aid, or if you have legal issues that aren’t covered by any of the organizations named on this list, there are resources available that can help point you in the right direction.
Hotlines
Legal Aid of Southwestern Ohio has a call or chat center designed to answer your quick questions. Directly call 513-241-9400 or toll-free at 800-582-2272. Or ask your question online via their chat service: www.ohiolegalhelp . org instant-messaging.
Workshops
YWCA of Southwest Ohio and Legal Aid of Southwestern Ohio offer complimentary monthly legal aid workshops at two locations in Butler County. These workshops cover specific topics such as divorce and custody, bankruptcy for low income individuals, expungement, and child support modification.
Online Resources
The Ohio Supreme Court and Ohio Legal Help websites offer many online resources related to the Butler County area.