Frequently asked questions

VLP offers complimentary civil legal assistance to qualified residents with the help of volunteer lawyers. Individuals dealing with civil legal matters do not receive assigned attorneys, and we step in to address this gap in services. For direct representation, individuals must go through Indiana Legal Services and Legal Aid Society; we do not manage the intake process.

The Volunteer Lawyer Program (VLP) offers a variety of essential legal services to support our community. We provide brief legal services clinics where individuals can receive immediate assistance with legal issues. Additionally, we offer legal navigation services to help clients understand and manage their legal matters more effectively, and we also provide legal referrals to connect individuals with specialized legal help when needed.

VLP proudly serves the following counties: Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Knox, Martin, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Vanderburgh, and Warrick. We collaborate closely with Indiana Legal Services, the Legal Aid Society, local courts, and other referral sources to ensure our clients receive comprehensive legal support. By delivering these services, VLP is committed to making a positive impact in our community through accessible and reliable legal assistance.

VLP offers a variety of volunteer opportunities tailored for attorneys and other legal professionals. Our programs include the Talk to a Lawyer hotline, where volunteers can provide immediate legal advice to those in need. We also coordinate legal clinics that offer in-person consultations and assistance. Additionally, we partner with other legal organizations to enhance their online services and support low-bono work for attorneys looking to offer affordable legal services. Beyond these, the Volunteer Lawyer Program (VLP) leads presentations and outreach programs to educate the community on various legal topics. Join us to make a significant impact through diverse and meaningful volunteer work.

Individuals who engage with the court system without legal assistance often face challenges, making errors on their forms and feeling frustrated by misunderstandings of court procedures. However, our dedicated volunteers empower pro se litigants by guiding them through the completion and filing of forms, offering navigation services to help them discover available resources, and facilitating a smoother court experience. This support not only enhances the efficiency of our court system but also allows judges to focus on their essential work with attorney-represented clients while serving the general public. Our volunteers are a beacon of hope for clients confronting eviction, seeking expungement, navigating guardianships, engaging in family law matters, and more.