Legal Aid Society to host free legal clinic for Lee County seniors
Session for residents needing civil legal support, will emphasize post-hurricane issues
With hurricane season underway, residents know Southwest Florida will likely see severe weather before 2025 ends. That can also mean more storm-related legal headaches, from insurance disputes to contractor fraud.
On Oct. 15, Lee County Legal Aid Society will again host its quarterly free legal clinic, Law at Collaboratory, sponsored by the AARP Foundation, for area seniors in need of no-cost, limited legal advice in civil cases, including issues stemming from Hurricanes Ian in 2022 and Milton in 2024.
The upcoming session takes place at the Collaboratory, at 2031 Jackson St., in Fort Myers, from 9 a.m. to noon and is open to Lee County residents ages 50 and older.
The event will begin with light refreshments, followed by a panel presentation by local attorneys on topics in civil law of interest to seniors, with an emphasis on post-hurricane legal issues, including contractor fraud and insurance claims. In addition, they will discuss landlord-tenant disputes, elder law and filing a case in small claims court.
The panel’s 30-minute presentation will be followed by an audience question-and-answer session and then 20-minute individual appointments on any legal issue. Advance registration is required.
Participants should email Nanci@leecountylegalaid.org with contact information and a brief description of the legal advice being sought. Any relevant documents should be brought to the clinic.
Unlike in criminal law, there is no constitutional right to counsel in civil law, which includes landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosures, evictions, probate, debt collection, child custody cases, domestic violence orders of protection and more.
“This is a great opportunity for those that need legal assistance but don’t have the financial resources to hire their own attorney,” said Andrew Banyai, executive director of the Lee County Legal Aid Society. “We have several experienced attorneys that are happy to take the time to meet with these individuals and give them the legal advice they need, at no cost.”
Law at Collaboratory receives support from the AARP Foundation.
For more information on Lee County Legal Aid Society, visit LeeCountyLegalAid.org or call 239-334-6118.
About Lee County Legal Aid Society
Founded in 1967, Lee County Legal Aid Society is a private, nonprofit organization that provides no-cost civil legal aid to low-income residents of Lee County. The organization helps narrow the access to justice gap among those who cannot afford a private attorney in civil cases. In partnership with the Lee County Clerk of the Court, Lee County Legal Aid Society offers free, 20-minute “self-help” legal clinics that pair attorneys in private practice with those in need of legal services.