How to Find - Legal Help and Information, Power of Attorney and Wills
Site: Halton
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PDF (New Window)| Record #: BTN1198 | Last Full Update: 30 Oct 2019 |
| Memos and Bulletins | |
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| Public Comments | For full directory of "How to" listings on different topics, see here |
| Agency Information | |
| Legal Status | (50) Non Profit |
| Description and Service Details | |
| Description (Service) | This listing gives an overview of how to find legal services, free information/consultation, free legal services for people with low income, information on wills and Powers of Attorney, and is also an index to related listings in this directory LEGISLATION 1. City of Burlington By-Laws, see here 2. Ontario law: see Government of Ontario e-Laws here * laws viewed on, downloaded or printed from e-Laws are official copies of the law 3. Federal law: see Government of Canada Justice Laws website here * consolidated Acts and regulations on the Justice Laws Website are official, and can be used for evidentiary purposes FREE LEGAL INFORMATION (available to anyone): Note: when looking at legal information online, it's of primary importance to ensure it applies to the law in Ontario 1. Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO) Education arm of Ontario's Legal Aid system (see full listing here) * provides legal rights education and information to people who face barriers to accessing the justice system, including income, disability, literacy, and language and legal resources and print publications * partners with other legal organizations to provide Steps to Justice (step-by-step information about legal problems) and YourLegalRights (a collection of legal information resources produced by hundreds of organizations across Ontario, including webinars) 2. Family Law Information Centre * services are available in family courts across Ontario, including the Milton Courthouse (see full listing here) * information about separation and divorce and related family law issues, family justice services, alternative forms of dispute resolution, local community resources and court processes 3. Law Society of Upper Canada, Referral Service (see full listing here) * online service that gives the name of a lawyer or licensed paralegal who will provide a free consultation of up to 30 minutes to help determine rights and options 4. Legal Line (see full listing here): * free online and telephone information on a wide range of topics * also provide referrals for legal advice and services 5. Pro Bono Ontario (see full listing here) * connects volunteer lawyers with those who cannot afford a lawyer * helps with civil court (no family law or criminal law), employment, housing, consumer issues, and creating Powers of Attorney FREE LEGAL INFORMATION (for teens): 1. Teen Legal Helpline (see full listing here): * free, confidential online advice for youth and young adults 13 years and older FREE LEGAL SERVICES (for people with low income and/or other determinants): 1. Aboriginal Legal Services (see full listing here provides free legal services in the areas of: * landlord and tenant law * Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Plan (ODSP) * Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPPD) * human rights * police complaints * criminal injuries compensation * poverty law * Indian Act 2. Centre for Spanish-Speaking Peoples Community Legal Clinic (see full listing here) provides free legal services in the areas of: * immigration and refugee law * social assistance (OW and ODSP) * landlord/tenant law * human rights and employment law * Employment Insurance (EI) * Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) 3. Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic (see full listing here) provides free legal services to persons who speak Chinese (Cantonese) * Chinese (Mandarin) * Vietnamese (interpreters available for Khmer, Lao when arranged in advance), and cannot communicate in English, related to: * immigration * tenant issues * social assistance * employment rights * human rights * poverty law 4. Halton Community Legal Services (see full listing here) provides free legal services related to: * Ontario Works * human rights * tenants' rights * disability benefits * government pensions * employment insurance * employment standards 5. HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario (see full listing here) provides free legal services for people living with HIV/AIDS in Ontario * services include summary legal advice, brief legal services, referrals and legal representation * areas of legal practice include: government income maintenance/income security programs, tenant/housing matters, immigration and refugee law, human rights, employment standards, privacy law, health law, substitute decision-making and powers of attorney (advice), and HIV-related prison matters 6. Justice for Children and Youth (see full listing here) provides free legal service to children and youth 17 years and under and homeless youth ages 16-24 years * legal representation in the many areas of law including residential care, education, criminal matters, child welfare, human rights and constitutional law, financial assistance or support and leaving home 7. Legal Aid Ontario (see full listing here) provides free legal services related to: * criminal law * family law * immigration and refugee law REDUCED-COST LEGAL SERVICES: 1. JusticeNet (see full listing here) Not-for-profit service for those with income too high for Legal Aid but too low to afford standard legal fees * serves those with net family income under $59,000, and experiencing financial difficulties * lawyers, paralegals and mediators found on the site devote a portion of their practice to qualifying clients at reduced fees, on a sliding scale according to income and number of dependents TO FIND A LAWYER OR PARALEGAL 1. To search by name: Lawyer and Paralegal Directory (here) 2. To search by specialization: Directory of Certified Specialists (here) 3. For referral to a lawyer (also provide up to 30 minutes free consultation, but not advice or services): Law Society of Upper Canada, Referral Service (see separate listing here) TO COMPLAIN ABOUT A LAWYER OR PARALEGAL: * Law Society of Upper Canada Lawyer Complaints Services (see here) REMOVING A PAST RECORD: * Pardons Canada (see full listing here) * nonprofit organization that specializes in assisting with pardons (record suspensions), purges, file destruction and USA entry waivers POWERS OF ATTORNEY: Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General * Information is available from its website here * Power of Attorney kits available free by calling 1-800-366-0335, or downloading here WILLS: There is no government-issued standard form for wills * Advocacy Centre for the Elderly website has Information about wills here * To find an an existing will, see listing for Estates and Wills here |
| Hours | Contact organization for information |
| Areas Served | Halton Region |
| Eligibility | Varies by program |
| Application | Varies by program |
| Languages | English |
| Fees | Service - for some, varies by service |
| Site Information | |
| Located In Community | Halton Region |
| Physical Access | Not Applicable |
| Categories and Classification | |
| HCSD Main Heading | Government / Legal ; Topic Guides |
| HCSD Sub Heading | All "How To" Guides ; Community Legal Services ; Legal Help ; Special Topics |
| Service Categories | General Legal Aid ; Legal Counselling ; Private Law Practices |
