Learn more about

Our Programs & Services

And how to get help!

We support our low-income community members in their civil (non-criminal) legal problems in Clark County.

Read on to learn about how we do this, some of the types of legal problems we help with, and the best way to get help-depending on your need.

Legal Advice from Attorneys

Debt Defense & Bankruptcy

We provide advice and some full representation to clients in the process of filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. We do not provide services for Chapter 11 or 13.

We also give advice for anyone with credit card, medical, or other types of debt. Our attorneys will help determine if bankruptcy is the right option, or if something else can be done to reduce or eliminate the debt.

Get help with your debt today by calling 360.695.5313.  (Nosotros hablamos español)

Medical Debt

Do you have medical debt? Did you know that if you went to a “nonprofit” hospital, you have a right to “Charity  Care”?

We partner with Portland-based nonprofit, Dollar For, to help you get rid of or reduce your medical debt from anywhere in the United States. Click the link below to answer some questions about your eligibility, and Dollar For may be able to help you clear that debt. 

See if you qualify

Children First
With Department of Children, Youth and Families

Families involved with Child Protective Services (CPS) sometimes need help with “Family Law” actions to keep their children safe. These might be divorce, parenting plans, protection orders or custody agreements. We partner with Department of Children, Youth and Families to guide these families through those family law actions.

Our lawyers do not give advice on any part of the case that may be prosecuted in court (ie: criminal or defending against CPS investigation). We may only help with non-criminal family law matters (ie: taking steps to help the child remain in or return to the home).

Contact your DCYF caseworker or call 360.993.7900 to get a referral. 

Criminal records (vacating)

A criminal record can be a barrier to housing, employment, and moving out of poverty. In Washington state, many crimes may be “vacated” or “expunged”, but this take the client (or defendent) starting the process.

Our attorneys review a client’s criminal record to see if the type of crime is one that can be vacated, and if all other requirements have been met (wait-time and fines paid off). If so, we provide the paperwork and directions to vacate these records.

Get help with your criminal record today by calling 360.695.5313.  (Nosotros hablamos español)

Domestic violence & SUrvivor Support
With YWCA Clark County

We partner with the YWCA SafeChoice Domestic Violence Program to provide legal services for survivors of domestic violence. Anyone who has experienced domestic violence and now has legal issues as a result can meet with a specially trained attorney in a safe space.

Contact your advocate at YWCA or call 360.696.0167 to get a referral.  (Se habla español)

Early Parenthood

For youth experiencing early parenthood (have had a child or are currently expecting one before the age of 21). Our attorneys meet with them in the office or at their school to offer legal advice (group and 1-on-1) on rights, responsibilities, and resources of parents in Clark County.

Learn about your rights today by calling 360.695.5313.  (Nosotros hablamos español)

Elder Law / Wills & Estates

This program serves aged clients with multiple legal problems at the same time, or with legal concerns that are made worse because of their age. 

This also includes clients whose life experiences have led them to encounter legal concerns typical of seniors. Rather than require aged clients to seek advice in each program based on area of law, attorneys in this program address a wide range of concerns (Family Law, Contracts, Debt, Financial Abuse, Housing, etc.). 

We also provide traditional advice in Wills, Estate Plans, Powers of Attorney, Advanced Directives, etc. regardless of age.

Get help today by calling 360.695.5313.  (Nosotros hablamos español)

Employment law

We are currently CLOSED to employment law cases. If you have a deadline or a scheduled court date, you may still call us for help connecting to other resources.

Employment-related legal problems may include:

  • Wrongful Termination
  • Discrimination, Retaliation, or Harassment
  • Wage and Hour Disputes
  • Fair and Safe Workplaces
  • Unemployment Benefits (Denials and Appeals)

Learn about your employment rights today by calling 360.695.5313.  (Nosotros hablamos español)

Family Law

We provide advice and assistance to clients with family law needs. These include:

  • Divorce
  • Custody
  • Parenting plans
  • Minor Guardianship (Non-parental custody)

Get help today by calling 360.695.5313.  (Nosotros hablamos español)

Financial Forgiveness

We are currently CLOSED to financial forgiveness/court debt cases. You may still call us for help connecting to other resources.

We facilitate discharge (getting rid) of fines and fees through Clark County district court. We work directly with the judge on the client’s behalf, using a financial declaration. This program can restore drivers licenses and remove most or all legal financial obligations (court fines).

 

We also help with the paperwork and process of Clark County superior court fines, even though the process is a little different.

Get help with your court fines today by calling 360.695.5313.  (Nosotros hablamos español)

General Law

General Law includes all areas of civil (not criminal) legal needs that don’t fit into another category. This may be help with:

  • Contracts
  • Getting a security deposit back
  • Or more traditional “consumer protection” needs

Get help with your general law needs today by calling 360.695.5313.  (Nosotros hablamos español)

Guardianship (Lay)

This is a program for lay people (not-professionals) serving as guardians of people with disabilities that are physical, mental health, age-related, or who have neurological capacity concerns. 

Guardians must be non-professional, but may be in any stage of the process (including not yet appointed by the court). Our attorneys help guardians establish or maintain a lay guardianship.

Get help with your lay guardianship today by calling 360.695.5313.  (Nosotros hablamos español)

immigration

Our volunteer attorneys provide advice to people on their immigration-related legal needs. We advise the person seeking to change their own immigration status or the person petitioning to change someone’s status (i.e. a spouse or a child). Types of legal issues we advise on are:

  • Asylum petitions
  • VAWA/VOCA Petitions, U (Crime Victim) Visas and T (Trafficking) Visas
  • Permanent Residency and Naturalization
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
  • Family Based Petitions
 
We do not provide deportation defense or represent people in deportation proceedings

Get help preparing for court today by calling 360.695.5313.  (Nosotros hablamos español)

Housing (Landlord/Tenant) Law Services

housing justice project

Housing Justice cases include landlord/tenant disputes, tenant discrimination, or any issue that prevents a client from being safely and fairly housed. These do not include active evictions. For those, call our “Eviction Defense” program at 360-356-7872. 

Our attorneys provide advice during clinic appointments and may provide additional assistance working with your landlord (through demand letters, mediation, etc.).

We do not provide financial help with rent.

Get help with your tenant law questions today by calling 360.334.4007.  (Nosotros hablamos español)

eviction defense

All low income tenants in the state of Washington have the right to full representation in their eviction. Our Eviction Defense team is appointed by the court to represent Clark County and Skamania County tenants in these matters. If you have received a “summons” (this is a court document), call us right away.

See if you qualify for representation by calling us at 360-356-7872. (Nosotros hablamos español)

Non-Attorney Supportive Services (Not Legal Advice)

Court navigation

Our Court Navigators, who are not attorneys, help people physically navigate the courthouse, the court process, and the resources available to them. Some examples include:

·       Providing a tour of the courthouse, to show you where the various courts and offices are (like Translation Services, the Law Library, the Info Desk, the Court Administration office, etc.).  Ideally, this would happen before you have to be there for a court date.

·       Going with you to the clerk’s office when you are ready to file paperwork.

 

·       Attending hearings and court dockets (in person or on Zoom) to provide emotional support, as well as to write down their observations.

Connect with a Court Navigator by calling 360.695.5313.  (Nosotros hablamos español)

courtroom readiness

Our courtroom readiness specialist, who is not an attorney, helps people prepare to go to court by themselves. This includes:

  • Helping to identify your specific challenges when in court or meeting with a CCVLP volunteer lawyer

     

    ·       Discussing ways to stay centered and grounded in either situation

    ·       Providing some ways to reduce the effects of prior trauma and/or emotional triggers in court

    ·         Supporting you in being more present in the moment, so you are less likely to miss what a judge or a lawyer is saying.

Get help preparing for court today by calling 360.695.5313.  (Nosotros hablamos español)