Bay Area Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income people living in its service area. There is no charge to apply for or receive legal services. Bay Area also provides free interpreters to all applicants and clients.
The type of legal assistance Bay Area provides depends on the type of legal problem facing the client. Most clients receive advice on their legal problem, including information about what they can do to resolve their legal problem on their own. Some clients receive written materials which provide more detailed information on common legal problems and solutions. Other clients are referred to an agency or service that specializes in resolving certain legal matters. Some clients receive representation by Bay Area staff attorneys or private attorneys who donate their legal services.
Bay Area can assist clients with a wide variety of civil legal matters. We do not help with any criminal matters or traffic violations. Bay Area may be able to help with these types of cases:
- Family Law: Divorce, custody, visitation, and support
- Domestic Violence
- Guardianship
- Adoption
- Evictions, landlord/tenant problems, fair housing issues
- Mortgage foreclosure, construction liens, and predatory lending
- Consumer fraud, debt collection, and bankruptcy
- Public benefits: Social Security, Medicaid, disability benefits, and food stamps
- Probate and trust issues
- Tax issues
- Insurance matters
Bay Area also provides free legal assistance to eligible clients who qualify for special programs that address specific legal needs in our community. These programs include:
Caregivers of the Elderly
The goal of this program is to relieve the emotional and financial hardships faced by caregivers who lack the legal knowledge and/or authority to do those things necessary to properly care for a senior in need. We provide legal information, advice and counsel, and when appropriate, legal representation.
The goal of this program is to relieve the emotional and financial hardships faced by caregivers who lack the legal knowledge and/or authority to do those things necessary to properly care for a senior in need. We provide legal information, advice and counsel, and when appropriate, legal representation.
To be eligible for services, the caregiver must be a US citizen or eligible alien, and the caregiver must be either 60 or older.
ChildNet This program is located in Tampa and Plant City and serves to stabilize survivors of domestic violence and their families through the provision of family law legal services and access to supportive services and community resources.
Family Justice Center The Center is a community-wide collaborative between public, private and non-profit organizations to provide comprehensive services to Hillsborough County domestic violence victims and their families in a centralized location, or "one-stop-shop". Located at 9309 N. Florida Ave. #109, in Tampa.
Judge Don Castor Community Law Center Legal and technical assistance for community groups and non-profit organizations that are working to improve the lives of low-income families or to revitalize low-income communities.
Legal Information Center. The Center is located in the Edgecomb Courthouse in Tampa. The Center provides legal information to litigants representing themselves in family law, landlord/tenant law, and small claims matters.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. Bay Area provides services to lower income taxpayers and those for whom English is a second language. Service may include advice, representation, or community education. Services are available year-round.