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If you would like assistance, please contact the Legal Ministry directly at:
| Address: |
610 Rhode Island Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002-1292 |
| Phone:
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| OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION |
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Please see below for some links and contact information for organizations that may be able to provide you with free or low cost legal services. The Legal Ministry does not control, or endorse any of these organizations and is not responsible for information provided or services rendered.
American University Washington College of Law Clinical Program
www.wcl.american.edu
Phone: (202) 274-4140
Type of Service: Child support, federal tax court, civil litigation, transactional services, disability rights.
Bread for the City
www.breadforthe city.org
Phone: (202)561-8587
Type of Service: Housing, Public Benefits, Family Law
D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program Law Firm Clinic
Phone: (202) 737-4700, ext. 206
www.dcbar.org
Type of Service: Provide indigent persons with civil legal representation
DC Employment Justice Center
Phone: (202)828-9675
www.dcej.org
Type of Service: Employment Law
D.C. Law Students in Court Program
www.dclawstudents.org
Phone: (202) 638-4798
Type of Service: Landlord and tenant, housing and consumer issues.
George Washington University Community Legal Clinics
Phone: (202) 994-7463
Type of Service: Representation in custody, child support, small claims, civil cases
Georgetown University School of Law Juvenile Clinic Family Advocacy Clinic
Phone: (202) 662- 9590
http://www.law.georgetown.edu/clinics/jjc/index.html
Type of Service: Legal assistance for juveniles charged with crimes
Legal Aid Society of DC
Phone: (202)628-1161
www.legalaiddc.org
Type of Service: Pro Bono legal representation to low-income clients.
Legal Counsel for the Elderly
www.aarp.org/lce
Phone: (202) 434-2170
Type of Service: Legal services and advocacy for Washington, D.C. residents 60 and older. Power of attorney and wills
Neighborhood Legal Services Program (NLSP)
www.nlsp.org
Phone: (202) 682-2720
Type of Service: Free legal assistance to low income residents of D.C.
U.D.C., David A. Clarke School of Law Housing/Consumer Clinic
Phone: (202) 274-7326
http://www.law.udc.edu/?page=HousingClinic
Type of Service: Primarily housing, consumer issues and transactional matters
Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless
Phone: (202)328-5500
Type of Service: Housing, Public Benefits, Consumer Law, Probate, Mental Health, Family Law
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| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS |
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For your convenience, please see below answers to commonly asked questions which the Legal Ministry receives.
What Is A Retainer Agreement?
A retainer agreement is a written document which defines the relationship between a lawyer and a client and the responsibilities of each to the other. This process generally includes an advance monetary payment to a lawyer which the lawyer places in a trust account and from which withdrawals are made as the case (and work) progresses. Essentially, a retainer is a payment in advance for work to be determined at a later date.
What is a Power of Attorney?
The Power of Attorney is a legal document that allows one to designate an individual to act on his or her behalf in managing one’s business affairs. There are several different types of Power of Attorney documents such as a General Power of Attorney which covers all of one’s financial and personal decisions or, a Limited Power of Attorney which is limited to specified issues and business matters. There are also other designations which become effective only when one becomes incompetent or, specifically designed to designate a person to make health care decisions.
What should I do if I want to start a business?
Ideally, you should consult with an experienced professional when initiating a business venture. There are several forms of business organizations such as sole proprietor, partnership, corporations and limited liability companies. Legal liability, protection of assets, and ease of transfer are some of the issues affected by the particular form of business organization. For a brief overview of the different forms of business organizations, the U.S. Small Business Administration provides useful information on its website at www.SBA.gov.
What is a business plan?
A business plan is a written blueprint for starting a business. The Business Plan identifies the goals of the business and provides a detailed description of the business. Business plans also include the mission of a company which consists of both short and long term goals. A business plan is an important part of a business loan package as it delineates specific and organized information about the company and how a loan would be repaid. A business plan may also serve as a guide to keep owners focused on the business entity’s goals.
What is the difference between a Will And A Living Trust?
A Will and a Living Trust serve different purposes although they are similar in that both allow one to designate exactly how assets and other personal property are transferred upon death.
A Will is a legal instrument which is administered through probate court and generally provides for an executor to act as the personal representative of the estate. Upon death (and with court oversight), the Executor of the Will processes and settles any creditor and/or other legal claims and also distributes remaining assets to the named beneficiaries according to the written terms of the Will. (If one dies without a Will, this is referred to as dying "intestate" where the deceased’s assets would go to the heirs as defined by the laws of the state in which he or she resided at the time of death.)
A Living Trust is established during one’s lifetime and is revocable. Through a living trust, one transfers property to the trust, and the trust then "owns" it. You are the trustee and someone else is designated as a successor trustee. You manage the property in the trust unless you become incapacitated (or until death) at which time the successor trustee assumes management of your financial affairs. A Living Trust is not subject to probate proceedings and therefore, avoids probate costs and taxes.
You should consult with a qualified estate planner to assist you with the choice and preparation of estate planning documents.
What type of attorney or lawyer do I need for a child custody case?
Child custody disputes can be complex. Therefore, it is advantageous to retain an attorney who specializes in child custody cases although there are many general practitioners that competently handle these matters.
What is the difference between the legal and physical custody of a child?
There are two aspects to child custody. One is the right and responsibility to make decisions for a child (legal custody). Legal custody is concerned with who has legal authority to make major decisions on behalf of the child relating to things such as education and healthcare. Physical custody is concerned with where a child lives and who has responsibilities associated with daily childcare and oversight.
What can I do if my landlord refuses to make repairs?
Tenants are advised to keep a record of contacts with the landlord (which includes date/time of contact) and also to notify the landlord in writing of the items requiring repair. Additionally, if the landlord has disregarded a previous request, a tenant should consider sending the letter via certified mail (return receipt requested) so that there is proof that the letter was received. The letter should also state that if the repairs are not made by a certain date (e.g., 30 days), that legal action will be taken to compel the necessary repair. This record will be critical in establishing a case against your landlord for non-repair. Be aware that if rent is not paid continuously in a timely fashion that the landlord can file an eviction against the tenant.
If the repair issues are serious such as structural damage or defective electrical wiring, they should be brought to the attention of the building inspection office for the particular city or county as these may be considered building code violations. Thereafter, a Building Inspector may inspect the property, and as appropriate, issue a citation to the landlord for any violations that require repairs.
If you are unsure of how to proceed, you should seek legal advice from a private lawyer or another organization which provides legal guidance to tenants.
What happens during a real estate closing?
During a real estate closing, the following activities occur: 1) The title of the property passes from the seller to buyer; 2) All of the necessary title and loan papers are signed by the buyer; 3) The buyer pays the balance of the purchase price and, 4) The deed and mortgage instrument are signed.
What is a patent?
A patent is a property right and protection for inventions and discoveries which grants the owner an exclusive right to exclude others for a period of time (usually 20 years) from making, using, offering, selling, or importing anything that utilizes the intellectual property contained in the patent without the permission of the patent owner. Patents in the United States are processed by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
What are trademarks and service marks?
Trademark and service mark registrations are protections for a word, phrase, symbol or design, or a combination of words, phrases, symbols or designs. This designation enables one to exclude others from using its mark, generally for as long as that mark remains in use by the owner. A service mark is similar to a trademark except that it identifies and distinguishes the source of a particular service rather than a product. Trademarks and service marks are processed by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
What is a copyright?
A copyright is a form of protection provided to the authors of "original works of authorship," including published and unpublished literary works, scientific, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. A copyright generally gives the owner the exclusive right to do and to authorize others to do the following: to reproduce the work, to prepare derivative works based upon the work; to distribute copies of the work to the public, to perform the work publicly, and to display the work publicly. A copyright exists immediately upon creation of a work, however, registering that copyright provides additional protections. For more information, contact the United States Copyright Office.
What are the requirements to qualify for the revised Family and Medical Leave Act?
To qualify for the revised Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), one must be employed by a covered employer, work at least 1,250 hours in the 12 months prior to the leave period, work at or within 75 miles of a location where at least 50 employees work, and be employed for at least 12 months by the covered employer. However, the 12 month requirement does not have to be consecutive.
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| Please be advised that the information published on this website is provided as general information only and should not serve as a substitute for legal advice from an attorney or other professional familiar with your specific situation. |
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