Question:
I really need financial resources as well as a referral to a pro bono family law attorney. Can you offer a few suggestions for me to follow up on please?!
Jim's Reply:
Access to financial resources for veterans is pretty much the same as it is to everyone else. There aren't any particular designated resources to bail us out if we're in financial dire straits. We suffer through things like bankruptcy just as a civilian would. That also applies to attorneys who practice family law. I don't know of any attorney who would offer pro bono services to anyone, not even a veteran. Why? Well, lawyers are like everyone else and they have bills they have to pay to keep the office open. And because divorce is one of the hardest and most time consuming things an attorney can do. If you look around there are plenty of good lawyers who offer divorce representation at a bargain rate if the divorce is relatively simple.In this context simple means just that...as soon as the two individuals begin to argue about property or child support, the cost will go up. More fuss means more money...it's how divorce works, even for veterans.
- PS from StatesideLegal: You can use the "Find Legal Help" map for your state to look for your local LSC provider (if you are very low-income, they sometimes provide free help with divorce) or for a low-cost consultation with a private lawyer via the LRS provider in your community. LSC providers may also have user-friendly information about the divorce process in your state on their websites.