What is Pro Bono?
Lawyers are available through pro bono programs; pro bono means “free of charge.” Rule 6.1 of the Alabama Rules of Disciplinary Procedure for lawyers states that lawyers should help provide access to the judicial system to citizens who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer. One way lawyers meet this responsibility is through Volunteer Lawyers Programs (VLPs). Alabama’s VLPs serve different parts of the state. Each program accepts various types of cases for those who qualify. TO QUALIFY you must live at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. You must reside in Alabama or your legal problem must have started in Alabama. Even if you meet these qualifications, there may be other reasons why you do not qualify for a lawyer through the VLPs. Each of the five VLP programs has its own service area:
Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program provides legal help to people who live outside the area of the other VLP programs. Therefore, the Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program helps people in any county EXCEPT Baldwin, Clarke, Madison, Mobile, or Washington or whose legal problem is in one of these counties. Telephone: 888-857-8571
Types of Cases Accepted by Alabama State Bar VLP
Adoption (by relatives with consent for natural parents)
Bankruptcy (Chapter 7)
Child Support (modification when there is a major change in circumstances)
Collections (small claims with attorney on other side)
Contracts & Warranties
Custody (by agreement)
Divorce (uncontested and parties are separated or defendant’s whereabouts are unknown)
Education
Guardianship of Child (if needed to enter child in school)
Guardianship of Adult (person not of sound mind or medical condition prevents person from caring for self)
Real Estate (deed preparation; pre-foreclosure negotiations, or land dispute)
Landlord/Tenant (private housing)
Legitimations/Paternity (by consent)
Name Change (adult and minor)
Power of Attorney
Tax
Tort Defense
Visitation (change – by agreement)
Wills & Estates (wills, living wills & small estate administration)
Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program provides legal help to people who live in Birmingham or whose legal problem is in the Birmingham metropolitan area. Telephone: 205-250-5198
Types of Cases Accepted by Birmingham VLP
Adoption
Bankruptcy
Child Support
Consumer (includes utility, credit problems, defense of contract actions, insurance)
Custody
Divorce (not including the need for temporary orders; including alimony)
Driver’s License or Tag Suspension/Revocation
Education (includes special education)
Employment (includes employment discrimination & employee benefits)
Guardianship of Child
Guardianship of Adult
Immigration/Naturalization
Other Family (legal separation & post divorce proceedings)
Real Estate (deeds, mortgage foreclosures)
Landlord/Tenant (includes eviction, private housing and fair housing disputes)
Legitimations/Paternity
Power of Attorney
Tax
Tort Defense
Social Security (issues & benefits)
VA Issues
Wills & Estates (simple wills & small estates)
Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program provides legal help to people who live in Madison County or whose legal problem is in Madison County. Telephone: 256-539-2275
Types of Cases Accepted by Madison County VLP
Adoption
Bankruptcy
Collections
Consumer (collections, possessions, garnishments, suits over debt)
Divorce (uncontested and contested, but no ongoing domestic violence)
Guardianship of Child
Guardianship of Adult
Real Estate (includes deeds, foreclosures & quiet titles)
Landlord/Tenant (eviction)
Legitimations/Paternity
Name Change
Power of Attorney
Tax
Tort Defense
Social Security (cessations & over-payments)
Wills & Estates (simple wills & small estates)
Montgomery County Volunteer Lawyers Program provides legal help to people who live in Montgomery County or whose legal problem is in Montgomery County. Telephone: (334) 265-0222, ext. 2
Types of Cases Accepted by Montgomery County VLP
Adoption (by agreement)
Bankruptcy (Chapter 7)
Child Support (modification)
Collections (small claims with attorney on other side)
Consumer (contracts & warranties)
Custody (change by agreement)
Divorce (uncontested by agreement)
Guardianship of Child
Guardianship of Adult
Immigration/Naturalization
Real Estate (deeds & homeownership issues; land disputes)
Landlord/Tenant (private housing, evictions)
Legitimations/Paternity (by agreement)
Name Change
Power of Attorney
Tax
Tort Defense
Visitation (change by agreement)
Wills & Estates (simple wills, living wills & small estates administration)
South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program provides legal help to people who live in Mobile, Baldwin, Washington or Clarke Counties or whose legal problem is in one of these counties. SAVLP services do vary by county. Telephone: 251-438-1102 or 855-997-2857
Types of Cases Accepted by South Alabama VLP
Adoption (by agreement)
Advice before Lawsuit
Child Support (modification)
Collection of Small Claims Court Judgment
Consumer (credit access & debt collection; suits over debt)
Contracts & Warranties
Community Economic Development
Custody (by agreement)
Divorce (by agreement)
Driver’s License or Tag Suspension/Revocation
Employment (worker’s compensation enforcement – under $1,000 or medical expenses; wage claims – under $2,500)
Foreclosure related Bankruptcies
Guardianship of Child
Guardianship of Adult (Conservatorship)
Other Family (delegation of parental rights; legal separation; enforcement of court order from divorce involving children – excluding child support)
Real Estate (deeds & homeownership issues; land dispute; foreclosures)
Landlord/Tenant (private housing to include Sec. 8)
Legitimations/Paternity (by agreement)
Name Change (adult and minor)
Payday and title loans
Power of Attorney
Visitation (enforcement – with prior court order and change by agreement)
Wills & Estates (willing, living wills & small estates by agreement)