Legal Assistance

LAWO and ABLE Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO) is a non-profit regional law firm that provides high quality legal assistance in civil matters to help eligible low-income individuals and groups in western Ohio achieve self-reliance, and equal justice and economic opportunity.

LAWO and Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) are partner organizations.

LAWO's Elder Law attorneys and paralegals provide assistance with Elder Law issues including legal advice, providing referrals, document preparation, and full representation in limited cases.

• Housing (Landlord and Tenant problems, primarily eviction cases involving public, subsidized or private housing);
• Durable Powers of Attorney, Advance Directives, and some guardianships and conservatorships;
• Divorce and some post-divorce;
• Nursing home issues including transfer and discharge, conditions, and evictions;
• Government benefits (Social Security, SSI, Medicaid, and Medicare, bankruptcies, and consumer issues);
• Community Legal Education (Attorneys often provide presentations to senior groups on legal topics of particular interest to elders).

Apply for help from LAWO and ABLE through Legal Aid Line.

Legal Aid Line is an online and toll-free telephone application process for Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. (ABLE) and Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (LAWO).

Legal Aid Line staff provide FREE legal information, advice, and referrals to eligible low-income residents of northwest and west central Ohio. All callers are screened for income eligibility before receiving services. Client services are provided by telephone.

If ongoing legal representation is needed, eligible callers may be referred to another legal services office or volunteer attorney program.

• Apply online at www.legalaidline.org
• Call Legal Aid Line toll-free (888) 534-1432 or
• (419) 724-0460 in Lucas County

ProSeniors

The Pro Seniors Legal Hotline provides free legal information, advice, and referral for residents of Ohio age 60 and over, responding to the legal needs of callers within Ohio regardless of income, resources or location. Typical questions concern Medicare, Medicaid and Medicaid estate recovery, living wills, durable powers of attorney for health care, and consumer problems. The Legal Hotline also acts as a gateway to other Pro Seniors programs, referring appropriate callers to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program or to Care Options.

Telephone appointments for the Legal Hotline are made Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can reach the Legal Hotline toll-free at (800) 488-6070.

When you call the Legal Hotline, you will initially talk with an intake worker. The intake worker will gather basic information, such as name, address, birthdate, phone number, etc., and take down the general nature of your question or problem. Hotline attorneys use the information collected by the intake workers to return calls. If you have a legal problem that cannot be solved over the phone, the Legal Hotline will try to refer you to an appropriate source for more in-depth assistance.