REFERRAL SERVICE FOR THE ELDERLY

What is the Legal information and Referral Service for the Elderly?

• The Legal Information and Referral Service for the Elderly is a public service program of the Rhode Island Bar Association designed to help persons 60 years of age and older obtain legal information and advice. Its purpose is to provide quality legal services to senior citizens in need of legal help.

What Will It Cost?

• If you are 60 years of age or over and in need of legal advice you qualify for a free 30 minute consultation with a private attorney in your own community.
• This initial consultation may answer your questions and enable you to solve your problems. However, if additional legal work is required, the Legal Information and Referral Service has a Reduced Fee and Pro Bono (free) Program for income eligible seniors. You may be required to pay court fees or other litigation costs. These can be discussed with your attorney.

How Does the Referral Service Work?

• All you have to do is call (401)521.5040. If you live outside the Providence area, call collect.
• When you call you will speak to a referral specialist who is familiar with the legal problems of senior citizens.
• You will be asked a few questions to determine the nature of your problem. Any information you give will be held in strictest confidence.
• If you require the services of a lawyer, you will be given the name, address, and phone number of an attorney in your own community.
• You make your own appointment with the attorney for your free 30 minute consultation.
  

Who Is Eligible?

• Every person 60 years of age and older with a legal problem is eligible for a free 30 minute consultation with an attorney.
• To be eligible for the Reduced Fee or Pro Bono Program, your income must be within certain financial guidelines. If you need a lawyer and are over 60 years of age, call us and we will tell you whether you may be eligible for these programs.
  

What Services Are Available?

• Ask A Lawyer or Legal Clinic programs can be scheduled at your local senior agency when requested by them.
• Help with almost any legal problem is available. There is a Program Coordinator fluent in Spanish. The Legal Information and Referral Service has over 250 private attorneys located throughout the state who practice in all areas of the law. Including:

Legal Information and
Referral Service for the Elderly
115 Cedar Street
Providence, RI 02903

Call (401)521-5040
TDD (401)421-1666

A Statewide, Nonprofit, Public Service Program of the
Rhode Island Bar Association
in cooperation with the
Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs
and the Rhode Island Bar Foundation