VLP provides a range of services to eligible clients.
All VLP services are provided by trained volunteers and volunteer attorneys,
supported by VLP staff. VLP receives thousands of calls for help every year
- unfortunately, we do not have enough volunteer lawyers in Maine to provide
a referral to a free attorney for everyone. We can provide help in three
ways:
Legal Hotline: When you contact VLP, a trained volunteer will conduct
an intake interview over the telephone with you to gather important information
about your legal problem and determine if you are eligible for VLP services.
During this call, the VLP volunteer will consult with a staff supervisor to
decide the best way to assist you. If you are eligible for services, the volunteer
will give you information over the phone and may also send you written materials
about your legal problem. We may refer you to other agencies in your community
that can provide help. We will also determine if your case meets VLP priorities
for the Family Law Helpline or for referral to a pro bono (volunteer) lawyer.
Family Law Helpline: VLP clients with family law problems (divorce,
child custody, child support, etc.) may receive legal advice and assistance
with their case from a volunteer lawyer or law student over the telephone.
Phone appointments are scheduled on either Wednesday evenings from 5:30-8:00 or
Friday afternoons from 1:00-4:00. You will
be representing yourself in your case but your Helpline attorney can assist
you in understanding and planning for upcoming court appointments, filing
out court forms and making decisions about your case. You may have more than
one Helpline appointment to help you at different stages of your case.
Courthouse Assistance Projects (CHAPs):Attorney volunteers provide help
with family law matters at the District Courts in Portland, Biddeford and Lewiston.
You can show up at the designated times for a brief conference with a lawyer.
Get more details here.
Referral to a Pro Bono Lawyer: VLP refers approximately one
tenth of our cases to volunteer attorneys who provide free legal representation.
Representation may be for one aspect of your case or it may be for the entire
case. Because we do not have enough volunteer lawyers for everyone, we choose
cases for referral based on a series of case referral
priorities and lawyer availability in your geographic area. VLP staff
will make the decision whether to look for a volunteer lawyer for your case
as part of your intake interview. Acceptance of your case for referral
does not guarantee we will find a lawyer willing to take it.
While your lawyer will provide his or her services for free, you will be
responsible for court costs in your case. It is
very important that you make an effort to work cooperatively
with your pro bono attorney. If you are not able to work cooperatively
with your VLP lawyer, VLP will not find you a different lawyer and your lawyer
can decide to stop representing you.
