Community Legal Services Clinics

Clinic Description:

Legal Aid Society of Orange County (LASOC) offers two types of clinics:

1) clinics that provide legal information and do not require you to be screened for eligibility, and

2) clinics that provide legal advice and require you to be screened for eligibility. These clinics are offered free of charge.

Following is a list of the clinics by type that are offered:
LEGAL INFORMATION CLINICS - NO ELIGIBILITY REQUIRED

Conservatorship
LASOC's Senior Citizen's Legal Advocacy Program in collaboration with the elder law clinic at Chapman University and the Superior Court hold a clinic on the first Monday of the month from 9:00-11:00 a.m. in Dept. L71 of the Lamoreaux Justice Center. Anyone with questions about conservatorships can attend the clinic. The clinics are free and open to the public and no appointment is necessary.

Education
This clinic is held monthly and is for parents of children with "special needs" that have been identified and scheduled through LASOC's Hotline. The workshops provide information to parents regarding their rights and responsibilities under The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The workshops also provide information to parents on when an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is appropriate and how to initiate the IEP process. The IEP process is designed to assist parents of children with disabilities and other problems within the education system.

Compton Self-Help Assistance Center
This clinic is held daily at the Compton Superior Courthouse and is located on the 11th Floor, Room 1102. Hours of operation are as follows: Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and scheduled afternoon workshops. The Self Help Center provides assistance with Divorce, Paternity, Name Change, Guardianship, Child Visitation, Evictions, Small Claims and Child Custody. The clinics are free and open to the public and no appointment is necessary.

Family Law Clinic
This clinic is held on Wednesday evenings from 5:00- 8:00 p.m. at the Santa Ana office. At this clinic, you will use a computer and the I-CAN!™ Legal system to prepare the court paperwork necessary to file your own Divorce, Order to Show Cause, Paternity, Child Custody; or to respond to these court actions. You will be provided with technical assistance on how to navigate the I-CAN!™ Legal software. You will not be given legal advice at the clinic but detailed information is provided regarding the rules and procedures. You must call the Hotline to get an appointment to attend this clinic.

Small Claims Court Clinic
Preparing a Case. This clinic is held in English every Friday at 10:00 a.m. and in Spanish every Friday at 2:30 p.m. The clinics are free and open to the public and no appointment is necessary.

LEGAL ADVICE CLINICS - ELIGIBILITY REQUIRED

Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy clinics are held monthly at both the Santa Ana and Norwalk offices. In order to be scheduled for the bankruptcy clinic, clients must first call the hotline to determine if they are eligible to be placed in the clinic. If you are considering bankruptcy, you should make a list of all of your creditors and debts prior to calling the hotline. Once you are determined to be eligible to participate in the Clinic, you will be contacted and given an appointment for the next available clinic.

Divorce
Regular clinics to assist you with your divorce are held at the Santa Ana, Anaheim, and Norwalk office. In order to be placed in the divorce clinic, you must call the Hotline and be screened for eligibility. Once you are determined to be eligible to participate in the Clinic, you will be contacted and given an appointment for the next available clinic.

Domestic Violence
Community Legal Services operates a Domestic Violence Prevention Program at the County Superior Courthouses in Compton and Norwalk. This program assists victims in obtaining restraining orders to protect themselves, their children, and other family or household members who may be in physical danger from a spouse or partner. Clients will also be assisted, if needed, in their effort to obtain child custody, child support, restitution, spousal support, or custody/control of property. You do not need an appointment however, once you arrive at the courthouse you will be screened for eligibility.

Unlawful Detainer (Eviction)
For assistance with completing an Answer to an Unlawful Detainer, eligible clients may attend a UD Clinic held on Mondays at 9:30 am at the Santa Ana office. In order to be scheduled for this clinic, you must first call the hotline to be screened for eligibility.