BREVARD COUNTY FORMÊÊ #83
LEGAL AID
631-2500
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	In order to qualify for the services of an attorney without charge you must meet certain conditions and your household income must be below 125% of the Federal Poverty Standards.Ê You must be able to provide proof of your income if asked.Ê If you are income eligible you will be interviewed byÊ a Brevard County Legal Aid staff member.Ê Once accepted for representation, an Affidavit of Indigency will be completed and forwarded to the assigned attorney.
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	If you have attempted to file your own papers, used a paralegal service or a private attorney, Legal Aid will not be able to represent you.Ê Legal Aid can only accept clients where Legal Aid will initiate the case or is responding to a subpoena just served on you.Ê Exceptions to this are rare.
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	The family (domestic) law cases that qualify and which Legal Aid can accept for representation are mainly immediate need cases:
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Ê      1. Responding cases with minor/dependent children;
ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ2. Responding cases without children but with significant spousal support or property issues if the respondent is determined financially eligible;
ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ3. Petitioning domestic violence cases with a restraining order entered in the requesting party's favor, or a similar court order, and where orders are current and presently in effect, and the parties have been separated for at least 30 days;
ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ4. Petitioning cases where spouse's whereabouts are unknown for 90 days, no support has been provided, there has been no contact with the missing spouse, and a diligent search has been conducted to locate the missing spouse;
ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ5. Cases seeking a modification of custody because of a substantial change o circumstances, such as your child being at risk.
ÊThe responding party cases receive priority handling. Ê

	Cases of a non-immediate need may also qualify for Legal Aid. These applications are put on file for six months.Ê After a 6 months waiting period the client should contact Legal Aid and if the client still qualifies financially, the client will be referred to the next attorney available for a non-immediate need type of case.

	Additionally, Brevard County, Florida, must be the proper place for your case to be heard.Ê If the court having jurisdiction is not Brevard County your case may be referred to the appropriate Legal Aid Program in that county.Ê This does not necessarily mean you will qualify in that county.Ê The individual county's legal assistance program requirements must be met.Ê If you reside outside of Brevard County but need services here because it is the court of proper jurisdiction, you will have to meet the Brevard County Legal Aid requirements.ÊÊ
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BREVARD COUNTY FORMÊÊ #83