Articles Posted in Legal Self-help Community

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The Legal Forms Problem bedevils most states, even those with active statewide Access to Justice Commissions (Oregon does not have one). Some states are tackling the legal forms problem head on with gusto and with Statewide Legal Forms Committees (see also the legal forms program presentations at the ABA Equal Justice website – there was an excellent one a couple weeks ago on the Washington State Legal Forms initiative).

See the ABA Resource Center for Access to Justice Initiatives and the Access to Justice blog for information and news about these A2J commissions and initiatives.

From 3 Geeks and a Law Blog, 4/22/14, post: “LegalZoom Gets Nod from South Carolina Supreme Court”

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View the Oregon State Bar (OSB) videotape of our program:

1) Direct to the video: ALL RISE! TAKE YOUR CASE TO SMALL CLAIMS COURT

2) Or, from the Oregon State Bar (OSB) website (where you can also find their “30-second Law School” consumer and other Oregon law tips!).

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We have updated our Oregon Legal Assistance Resource Guide.

We have expanded its reach beyond the Portland-metro area so new resources have been added – and you are welcome to suggest additions.

Link to the PDF or link to it from our What’s New webpage.

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Online ABA Journal article: “Estate dispute caused by ‘E-Z Legal Form’ is a ‘cautionary tale,’ says justice,” by Debra Cassens Weiss.

“Ann Aldrich used an “E-Z Legal Form” when she made out her will in 2004, a decision that proved to be a good choice for two nieces who cited the document’s lack of a residuary clause.

In a decision issued last week, the Florida Supreme Court ruled for the nieces, though they weren’t mentioned in the will. The court said money acquired by Aldrich after the will was made out should be distributed under the laws of intestacy, which govern distribution of property for those who die without a will. The reason: The E-Z form did not have a residuary clause providing for the disposition of property not listed in the document….” [Link to full article.]

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“He who is always his own counseller will often have a fool for his client.” [Source: Shapiro, “The Oxford Dictionary of American Legal Quotations,” citing Port Folio (Philadelphia, Aug. 1809, at 132.]

Not a day goes by when I don’t:

1) Read about someone who made a BIG mistake thinking s/he knew everything about drafting contracts, wills, and other legal documents.

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The Oregon Law Center is a legal aid based program that provides free services to low-income people throughout the state. Project SCRUB provides low-income Washington County residents with legal and financial assistance to expunge their criminal records, helping to remove the barriers that can prevent them from finding jobs and housing. The volunteer pro bono attorney will assist with filling out legal documents and advising clients on the expungement process.

Contact the: Oregon Law Center, (503) 640-4115

(Note: This project has grant funding through June 2014, which may or not be renewed.)

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The Center: National Center for Access to Justice

The Conference: Equal Justice Conference (Portland, Oregon, April 30-May 3, 2014) (there is a Self-Represented Litigation Network Educational Program on Wednesday, April 30 (8:30am-5:30pm).)

The Index: Justice Index

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Visit the Justice Index beta site for preliminary findings.

Note: access to justice is different from access to courts – and then there is access to affordable legal assistance.

1) You’ve just been charged with DUII.

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Do you need help with housing, children, crime, social security, benefits, debt, a small business, and other Real People legal matters?

Sometimes you just need to start with one organization, or one website. From there, you’ll find another layer of legal resources and legal assistance referrals, and from there even more – and so on, and so on.

Where to start?

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The American Bar Association’s  Equal Justice Conference (EJC) 2014 will be held in Portland, Oregon.

You may register for a pre-conference session for $75, without having to register for the entire EJC conference!

Among other EJC and pre-conference programs, there is one for Access to Justice (A2J) professionals, public law librarians, and those who are interested public law library or public library legal reference services and A2J (access to justice) issues:

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