Available Legal Help
EXPLAINING WHAT WE DO
We connect you with legal experts who can help with a variety of legal matters. The help they can provide depends on the legal matter. It may include:
- Advice: Providing legal counsel, including options and next steps based on your specific situation.
- General assistance: Helping you complete forms, sharing information about court procedures or available resources and providing guidance on self-representation.
- Referral: Connecting you with a lawyer who can help with your specific situation.
- Full representation: Working with you for an entire legal proceeding.
| LEGAL MATTER | Description | Example Scenario | Available Help |
| Nonprofit | This is a business whose objective is to advance a cause or public benefit. Its earnings are used to pursue its objective, and it has a tax-exempt status. | You need help drafting business contracts and independent contractor agreements. | Advice |
| Small business | This is a business with a narrow scope of operation and limited employees. Examples include a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and LLC. | You need someone to review your funding strategy, tax exposure and business plan and help you choose a business entity. | Advice |
| LEGAL MATTER | Description | Example Scenario | Available Help |
| Background check | A potential employer or other entity collects and confirms information about your past. The check could include your education, job history, credit history, criminal history, driving record and more. | You didn’t pass a background check for a new job. You want to know what’s showing on the check and if anything can be corrected or removed. | Advice or full representation |
| Expungement | Your court records are sealed and not available to the general public. The records are still available through law enforcement agencies. | A conviction from when you were a juvenile is preventing you from getting the job you want. You need help requesting an expungement. | Advice or full representation |
| Pardon | The governor forgives a felony conviction, which restores your civil rights. | An old felony conviction is making it difficult to find good housing. You think you qualify for a pardon but need help completing the application. | Advice or full representation |
| Description | Example Scenario | Available Help |
| You are trying to get back revoked, suspended, canceled, disqualified or denied driving privileges. | Your driver’s license was suspended due to unpaid traffic tickets, and you don’t know how to get it back. | Full representation |
| Description | Example Scenario | Available Help |
| This covers a variety of matters related to an employer and employee relationship, including discrimination, termination, workplace conditions and wages. | Your employer hasn’t paid you for hours that you’ve worked, and you don’t know what to do. | Advice |
| LEGAL MATTER | Description | Example Scenario | Available Help |
| Alimony | This is a court-ordered amount you pay or receive from your spouse or former spouse after legal separation or divorce. It’s also called spousal support or maintenance. | You lost your job and are having difficulty paying alimony. You need help asking the court for lower payments. | Advice or general assistance |
| Child custody and placement | Custody is the legal right to care for and make decisions for your child. Placement is the time your child spends in your and the other parent’s care. | Your child’s other parent is relocating and wants to modify the current placement order. You’re wondering what to expect during the hearing. | Advice or general assistance |
| Child support | This is a court-ordered amount you pay or receive from your child’s other parent to help cover the cost of your child’s care. | You’d like to make a change to a current order but aren’t sure what you need to do. | Advice or general assistance |
| Contempt and enforcement | A former spouse or parent does not follow the terms of a legal ruling. This could include not paying child support or alimony, not following child visitation times and more. The court is asked to honor, or enforce, the previous legal ruling. | Your former spouse is refusing to pay the alimony agreed upon in your divorce agreement. You need help filing a motion for contempt. | Advice or general assistance |
| Divorce and legal separation | In both divorce and legal separation, spouses divide property and debt, determine alimony and determine child custody arrangements and support (if applicable). Under a legal separation, the marriage continues. Under a divorce, the marriage ends. | You and your spouse need help completing a marital settlement agreement. | Advice or general assistance |
| Guardianship of minor | The court gives a person the legal power and responsibilities of a parent. The guardian cares and makes decisions for the child. | You need help filing for temporary guardianship of your granddaughter. | Advice or general assistance |
| Paternity | This is legally establishing the identity of your child’s biological father. | You need help responding to a petition for paternity. | Advice or general assistance |
| LEGAL MATTER | Description | Example Scenario | Available Help |
| Bankruptcy | This is a legal process that can help you get rid of debt or set up a payment plan. There are several types of bankruptcy. | You can’t pay your debts and need advice on which type of bankruptcy to file for. | Advice or general assistance |
| Debt | You owe money to a business or person. | You received notice of a wage garnishment order and need help filing an exemption claim. | Advice or general assistance |
| LEGAL MATTER | Description | Example Scenario | Available Help |
| Eviction | Your landlord is removing you from the property you’re renting. | Although you were behind on your rent payment, you paid the full amount before the due date given in the eviction notice. Your landlord is continuing with the eviction anyway. | Advice or full representation |
| Housing rights violation | You’re being discriminated against because of your race, religion, gender, national origin, familial status or disability. | Your landlord is charging you a pet deposit for your service animal. | Advice or full representation |
| Security deposit return | Your landlord is refusing to return some or all of your security deposit. | You left your apartment in good condition, but your landlord is charging an unreasonable amount to make small repairs. | Advice or full representation |
| Unsafe housing conditions | The property you’re renting has a problem that makes it unsafe or unhealthy to live in. | Your landlord refuses to fix a leaky roof. Mold is growing on the ceiling, and your belongings are being damaged. | Advice or full representation |
| LEGAL MATTER | Description | Example Scenario | Available Help |
| Asylum | You came to the U.S. because you were being persecuted or were afraid you would be persecuted in your home country. | You need help completing and filing an asylum application. | Advice, general assistance or referral |
| General | This covers a variety of immigration matters, including bringing a family member to the U.S., getting a green card and becoming a U.S. citizen. | You’re undocumented and want to know if you qualify for immigration relief. | Advice, general assistance or referral |
| LEGAL MATTER | Description | Example Scenario | Available Help |
| Child care power of attorney | As parent or legal guardian, you temporarily give responsibility of your minor child to someone else. | You need help appointing your mom as your child care power of attorney. | Advice |
| Financial power of attorney | You legally allow someone to manage your finances and property if you’re not able to manage them yourself. | You need help appointing a family friend as your financial power of attorney. | Advice |
| Health care power of attorney | You legally allow someone to make health care decisions on your behalf if you’re not able to make them yourself. | You need help appointing your sister as your health care power of attorney. | Advice |
| Will | You indicate what should be done with your assets and property after your death. | You want to divide your estate between your nephew and favorite charity and need help writing a simple will. | Advice |
| Description | Example Scenario | Available Help |
| This is legally changing your name and gender on official documents (for example, your birth certificate or driver’s license). | You need help filling out forms and petitioning the court to change the name and gender on your birth certificate. | Advice, general assistance or full representation |
| Description | Example Scenario | Available Help |
| You applied for or are receiving a public benefit, such as BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare, Kinship Care, unemployment compensation, Wisconsin Medicaid, Wisconsin Shares or Wisconsin Works (W-2). | Your FoodShare application was denied, and you need help with a fair hearing. | Advice or full representation |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Nonprofit |
| Description |
| This is a business whose objective is to advance a cause or public benefit. Its earnings are used to pursue its objective, and it has a tax-exempt status. |
| Example Scenario |
| You need help drafting business contracts and independent contractor agreements. |
| Available Help |
| Advice |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Small Business |
| Description |
| This is a business with a narrow scope of operation and limited employees. Examples include a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and LLC. |
| Example Scenario |
| You need someone to review your funding strategy, tax exposure and business plan and help you choose a business entity. |
| Available Help |
| Advice |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Background Check |
| Description |
| A potential employer or other entity collects and confirms information about your past. The check could include your education, job history, credit history, criminal history, driving record and more. |
| Example Scenario |
| You didn’t pass a background check for a new job. You want to know what’s showing on the check and if anything can be corrected or removed. |
| Available Help |
| Advice or full representation |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Expungement |
| Description |
| Your court records are sealed and not available to the general public. The records are still available through law enforcement agencies. |
| Example Scenario |
| A conviction from when you were a juvenile is preventing you from getting the job you want. You need help requesting an expungement. |
| Available Help |
| Advice or full representation |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Pardon |
| Description |
| The governor forgives a felony conviction, which restores your civil rights. |
| Example Scenario |
| An old felony conviction is making it difficult to find good housing. You think you qualify for a pardon but need help completing the application. |
| Available Help |
| Advice or full representation |
| Description |
| You are trying to get back revoked, suspended, canceled, disqualified or denied driving privileges. |
| Example Scenario |
| Your driver’s license was suspended due to unpaid traffic tickets, and you don’t know how to get it back. |
| Available Help |
| Full representation |
| Description |
| This covers a variety of matters related to an employer and employee relationship, including discrimination, termination, workplace conditions and wages. |
| Example Scenario |
| Your employer hasn’t paid you for hours that you’ve worked, and you don’t know what to do. |
| Available Help |
| Advice |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Alimony |
| Description |
| This is a court-ordered amount you pay or receive from your spouse or former spouse after legal separation or divorce. It’s also called spousal support or maintenance. |
| Example Scenario |
| You lost your job and are having difficulty paying alimony. You need help asking the court for lower payments. |
| Available Help |
| Advice or general assistance |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Child custody and placement |
| Description |
| Custody is the legal right to care for and make decisions for your child. Placement is the time your child spends in your and the other parent’s care. |
| Example Scenario |
| Your child’s other parent is relocating and wants to modify the current placement order. You’re wondering what to expect during the hearing. |
| Available Help |
| Advice or general assistance |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Child support |
| Description |
| This is a court-ordered amount you pay or receive from your child’s other parent to help cover the cost of your child’s care. |
| Example Scenario |
| You’d like to make a change to a current order but aren’t sure what you need to do. |
| Available Help |
| Advice or general assistance |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Contempt and enforcement |
| Description |
| A former spouse or parent does not follow the terms of a legal ruling. This could include not paying child support or alimony, not following child visitation times and more. The court is asked to honor, or enforce, the previous legal ruling. |
| Example Scenario |
| Your former spouse is refusing to pay the alimony agreed upon in your divorce agreement. You need help filing a motion for contempt. |
| Available Help |
| Advice or general assistance |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Divorce and legal separation |
| Description |
| In both divorce and legal separation, spouses divide property and debt, determine alimony and determine child custody arrangements and support (if applicable). Under a legal separation, the marriage continues. Under a divorce, the marriage ends. |
| Example Scenario |
| You and your spouse need help completing a marital settlement agreement. |
| Available Help |
| Advice or general assistance |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Advice or general assistance Guardianship of minor |
| Description |
| The court gives a person the legal power and responsibilities of a parent. The guardian cares and makes decisions for the child. |
| Example Scenario |
| You need help filing for temporary guardianship of your granddaughter. |
| Available Help |
| Advice or general assistance |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Paternity |
| Description |
| This is legally establishing the identity of your child’s biological father. |
| Example Scenario |
| You need help responding to a petition for paternity. |
| Available Help |
| Advice or general assistance |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Bankruptcy |
| Description |
| This is a legal process that can help you get rid of debt or set up a payment plan. There are several types of bankruptcy. |
| Example Scenario |
| You can’t pay your debts and need advice on which type of bankruptcy to file for. |
| Available Help |
| Advice or general assistance |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Debt |
| Description |
| You owe money to a business or person. |
| Example Scenario |
| You received notice of a wage garnishment order and need help filing an exemption claim. |
| Available Help |
| Advice or general assistance |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Eviction |
| Description |
| Your landlord is removing you from the property you’re renting. |
| Example Scenario |
| Although you were behind on your rent payment, you paid the full amount before the due date given in the eviction notice. Your landlord is continuing with the eviction anyway. |
| Help Available |
| Advice or full representation |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Housing rights violation |
| Description |
| You’re being discriminated against because of your race, religion, gender, national origin, familial status or disability. |
| Example Scenario |
| Your landlord is charging you a pet deposit for your service animal. |
| Help Available |
| Advice or full representation |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Security deposit return |
| Description |
| Your landlord is refusing to return some or all of your security deposit. |
| Example Scenario |
| You left your apartment in good condition, but your landlord is charging an unreasonable amount to make small repairs. |
| Help Available |
| Advice or full representation |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Unsafe housing conditions |
| Description |
| The property you’re renting has a problem that makes it unsafe or unhealthy to live in. |
| Example Scenario |
| Your landlord refuses to fix a leaky roof. Mold is growing on the ceiling, and your belongings are being damaged. |
| Help Available |
| Advice or full representation |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Asylum |
| Description |
| You came to the U.S. because you were being persecuted or were afraid you would be persecuted in your home country. |
| Example Scenario |
| You need help completing and filing an asylum application. |
| Available Help |
| Advice, general assistance or referral |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| General |
| Description |
| This covers a variety of immigration matters, including bringing a family member to the U.S., getting a green card and becoming a U.S. citizen. |
| Example Scenario |
| You’re undocumented and want to know if you qualify for immigration relief. |
| Available Help |
| Advice, general assistance or referral |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Child care power of attorney |
| Description |
| As parent or legal guardian, you temporarily give responsibility of your minor child to someone else. |
| Example Scenario |
| You need help appointing your mom as your child care power of attorney. |
| Available Help |
| Advice |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Financial power of attorney |
| Description |
| You legally allow someone to manage your finances and property if you’re not able to manage them yourself. |
| Example Scenario |
| You need help appointing a family friend as your financial power of attorney. |
| Available Help |
| Advice |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Health care power of attorney |
| Description |
| You legally allow someone to make health care decisions on your behalf if you’re not able to make them yourself. |
| Example Scenario |
| You need help appointing your sister as your health care power of attorney. |
| Available Help |
| Advice |
| LEGAL MATTER |
| Will |
| Description |
| You indicate what should be done with your assets and property after your death. |
| Example Scenario |
| You want to divide your estate between your nephew and favorite charity and need help writing a simple will. |
| Available Help |
| Advice |
| Description |
| This is legally changing your name and gender on official documents (for example, your birth certificate or driver’s license). |
| Example Scenario |
| You need help filling out forms and petitioning the court to change the name and gender on your birth certificate. |
| Available Help |
| Advice, general assistance or full representation |
| Description |
| You applied for or are receiving a public benefit, such as BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare, Kinship Care, unemployment compensation, Wisconsin Medicaid, Wisconsin Shares or Wisconsin Works (W-2). |
| Example Scenario |
| Your FoodShare application was denied, and you need help with a fair hearing. |
| Available Help |
| Advice or full representation |
