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Available Legal Help

EXPLAINING WHAT WE DO

We connect you with legal experts who can help with a variety of legal matters. The help they can provide depends on the legal matter. It may include:

  • Advice: Providing legal counsel, including options and next steps based on your specific situation.
  • General assistance: Helping you complete forms, sharing information about court procedures or available resources and providing guidance on self-representation.
  • Referral: Connecting you with a lawyer who can help with your specific situation.
  • Full representation: Working with you for an entire legal proceeding.
Woman in front of desktop computer with headphones in a video conference meeting

LEGAL MATTER Description Example Scenario Available Help
Nonprofit This is a business whose objective is to advance a cause or public benefit. Its earnings are used to pursue its objective, and it has a tax-exempt status. You need help drafting business contracts and independent contractor agreements. Advice
Small business This is a business with a narrow scope of operation and limited employees. Examples include a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and LLC. You need someone to review your funding strategy, tax exposure and business plan and help you choose a business entity. Advice

LEGAL MATTER Description Example Scenario Available Help
Background check A potential employer or other entity collects and confirms information about your past. The check could include your education, job history, credit history, criminal history, driving record and more. You didn’t pass a background check for a new job. You want to know what’s showing on the check and if anything can be corrected or removed. Advice or full representation
Expungement Your court records are sealed and not available to the general public. The records are still available through law enforcement agencies. A conviction from when you were a juvenile is preventing you from getting the job you want. You need help requesting an expungement. Advice or full representation
Municipal or forfeiture ticket This is a citation in circuit or municipal court. Examples include equipment violations and speeding tickets. A law enforcement official cites you for disorderly conduct, and you need to appear in municipal court. Advice or full representation
Pardon The governor forgives a felony conviction, which restores your civil rights. An old felony conviction is making it difficult to find good housing. You think you qualify for a pardon but need help completing the application. Advice or full representation

Description Example Scenario Available Help
You are trying to get back revoked, suspended, canceled, disqualified or denied driving privileges. Your driver’s license was suspended due to unpaid traffic tickets, and you don’t know how to get it back. Full representation

LEGAL MATTER Description Example Scenario Available Help
Discrimination Your employer or potential employer takes an action against you, such as firing or not hiring you, because of your race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex/gender, disability, arrest/conviction record, marital status, sexual orientation, military service, or use of a lawful product outside work hours. Your employer won’t let you wear a religious head covering at work. General assistance or referral
Wage theft Your employer does not fully pay you for the work you’ve done. You worked 40 hours, but your employer only paid you for 32 hours. Advice
General This covers a variety of matters related to an employer and employee relationship, including termination and workplace conditions. You reported defective equipment at your workplace, but your employer hasn’t addressed the issue. General assistance or referral

LEGAL MATTER Description Example Scenario Available Help
Alimony This is a court-ordered amount you pay or receive from your spouse or former spouse after legal separation or divorce. It’s also called spousal support or maintenance. You lost your job and are having difficulty paying alimony. You need help asking the court for lower payments. Advice or general assistance
Child custody and placement Custody is the legal right to care for and make decisions for your child. Placement is the time your child spends in your and the other parent’s care. Your child’s other parent is relocating and wants to modify the current placement order. You’re wondering what to expect during the hearing. Advice or general assistance
Child support This is a court-ordered amount you pay or receive from your child’s other parent to help cover the cost of your child’s care. You’d like to make a change to a current order but aren’t sure what you need to do. Advice or general assistance
Contempt and enforcement A former spouse or parent does not follow the terms of a legal ruling. This could include not paying child support or alimony, not following child visitation times and more. The court is asked to honor, or enforce, the previous legal ruling. Your former spouse is refusing to pay the alimony agreed upon in your divorce agreement. You need help filing a motion for contempt. Advice or general assistance
Divorce and legal separation In both divorce and legal separation, spouses divide property and debt, determine alimony and determine child custody arrangements and support (if applicable). Under a legal separation, the marriage continues. Under a divorce, the marriage ends. You and your spouse need help completing a marital settlement agreement. Advice or general assistance
Guardianship of minor The court gives a person the legal power and responsibilities of a parent. The guardian cares and makes decisions for the child. You need help filing for temporary guardianship of your granddaughter. Advice or general assistance
Paternity This is legally establishing the identity of your child’s biological father. You need help responding to a petition for paternity. Advice or general assistance

LEGAL MATTER Description Example Scenario Available Help
Bankruptcy This is a legal process that can help you get rid of debt or set up a payment plan. There are several types of bankruptcy. You can’t pay your debts and need advice on which type of bankruptcy to file for. Advice or general assistance
Debt You owe money to a business or person. You received notice of a wage garnishment order and need help filing an exemption claim. Advice or general assistance

LEGAL MATTER Description Example Scenario Available Help
Eviction Your landlord is removing you from the property you’re renting. Although you were behind on your rent payment, you paid the full amount before the due date given in the eviction notice. Your landlord is continuing with the eviction anyway. Advice or full representation
Housing rights violation You’re being discriminated against because of your race, religion, gender, national origin, familial status or disability. Your landlord is charging you a pet deposit for your service animal. Advice or full representation
Security deposit return Your landlord is refusing to return some or all of your security deposit. You left your apartment in good condition, but your landlord is charging an unreasonable amount to make small repairs. Advice or full representation
Unsafe housing conditions The property you’re renting has a problem that makes it unsafe or unhealthy to live in. Your landlord refuses to fix a leaky roof. Mold is growing on the ceiling, and your belongings are being damaged. Advice or full representation

LEGAL MATTER Description Example Scenario Available Help
Asylum You came to the U.S. because you were being persecuted or were afraid you would be persecuted in your home country. You need help completing and filing an asylum application. Advice, general assistance or referral
General This covers a variety of immigration matters, including bringing a family member to the U.S., getting a green card and becoming a U.S. citizen. You’re undocumented and want to know if you qualify for immigration relief. Advice, general assistance or referral

LEGAL MATTER Description Example Scenario Available Help
Child care power of attorney As parent or legal guardian, you temporarily give responsibility of your minor child to someone else. You need help appointing your mom as your child care power of attorney. Advice
Financial power of attorney You legally allow someone to manage your finances and property if you’re not able to manage them yourself. You need help appointing a family friend as your financial power of attorney. Advice
Health care power of attorney You legally allow someone to make health care decisions on your behalf if you’re not able to make them yourself. You need help appointing your sister as your health care power of attorney. Advice
Will You indicate what should be done with your assets and property after your death. You want to divide your estate between your nephew and favorite charity and need help writing a simple will. Advice

Description Example Scenario Available Help
This is legally changing your name and gender on official documents (for example, your birth certificate or driver’s license). You need help filling out forms and petitioning the court to change the name and gender on your birth certificate. Advice, general assistance or full representation

Description Example Scenario Available Help
You applied for or are receiving a public benefit, such as BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare, Kinship Care, unemployment compensation, Wisconsin Medicaid, Wisconsin Shares or Wisconsin Works (W-2). Your FoodShare application was denied, and you need help with a fair hearing. Advice or full representation

LEGAL MATTER
Nonprofit
Description
This is a business whose objective is to advance a cause or public benefit. Its earnings are used to pursue its objective, and it has a tax-exempt status.
Example Scenario
You need help drafting business contracts and independent contractor agreements.
Available Help
Advice
LEGAL MATTER
Small Business
Description
This is a business with a narrow scope of operation and limited employees. Examples include a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation and LLC.
Example Scenario
You need someone to review your funding strategy, tax exposure and business plan and help you choose a business entity.
Available Help
Advice

LEGAL MATTER
Background Check
Description
A potential employer or other entity collects and confirms information about your past. The check could include your education, job history, credit history, criminal history, driving record and more.
Example Scenario
You didn’t pass a background check for a new job. You want to know what’s showing on the check and if anything can be corrected or removed.
Available Help
Advice or full representation
LEGAL MATTER
Expungement
Description
Your court records are sealed and not available to the general public. The records are still available through law enforcement agencies.
Example Scenario
A conviction from when you were a juvenile is preventing you from getting the job you want. You need help requesting an expungement.
Available Help
Advice or full representation
LEGAL MATTER
Municipal or forfeiture ticket
Description
This is a citation in circuit or municipal court. Examples include equipment violations and speeding tickets.
Example Scenario
A law enforcement official cites you for disorderly conduct, and you need to appear in municipal court.
Available Help
Advice or full representation
LEGAL MATTER
Pardon 
Description
The governor forgives a felony conviction, which restores your civil rights.
Example Scenario
An old felony conviction is making it difficult to find good housing. You think you qualify for a pardon but need help completing the application.
Available Help
Advice or full representation

Description
You are trying to get back revoked, suspended, canceled, disqualified or denied driving privileges.
Example Scenario
Your driver’s license was suspended due to unpaid traffic tickets, and you don’t know how to get it back.
Available Help
Full representation

LEGAL MATTER
Discrimination
Description
Your employer or potential employer takes an action against you, such as firing or not hiring you, because of your race, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex/gender, disability, arrest/conviction record, marital status, sexual orientation, military service, or use of a lawful product outside work hours.
Example Scenario
Your employer won’t let you wear a religious head covering at work.
Available Help
General assistance or referral
LEGAL MATTER
Wage theft
Description
Your employer does not fully pay you for the work you’ve done.
Example Scenario
You worked 40 hours, but your employer only paid you for 32 hours.
Available Help
Advice
LEGAL MATTER
General
Description
This covers a variety of matters related to an employer and employee relationship, including termination and workplace conditions.
Example Scenario
You reported defective equipment at your workplace, but your employer hasn’t addressed the issue.
Available Help
General assistance or referral

LEGAL MATTER
 Alimony
Description
 This is a court-ordered amount you pay or receive from your spouse or former spouse after legal separation or divorce. It’s also called spousal support or maintenance.
Example Scenario
 You lost your job and are having difficulty paying alimony. You need help asking the court for lower payments.
Available Help
Advice or general assistance
LEGAL MATTER
Child custody and placement
Description
Custody is the legal right to care for and make decisions for your child. Placement is the time your child spends in your and the other parent’s care.
Example Scenario
Your child’s other parent is relocating and wants to modify the current placement order. You’re wondering what to expect during the hearing.
Available Help
Advice or general assistance
LEGAL MATTER
Child support
Description
This is a court-ordered amount you pay or receive from your child’s other parent to help cover the cost of your child’s care.
Example Scenario
You’d like to make a change to a current order but aren’t sure what you need to do.
Available Help
Advice or general assistance
LEGAL MATTER
Contempt and enforcement
Description
A former spouse or parent does not follow the terms of a legal ruling. This could include not paying child support or alimony, not following child visitation times and more. The court is asked to honor, or enforce, the previous legal ruling.
Example Scenario
Your former spouse is refusing to pay the alimony agreed upon in your divorce agreement. You need help filing a motion for contempt.
Available Help
Advice or general assistance
LEGAL MATTER
Divorce and legal separation
Description
In both divorce and legal separation, spouses divide property and debt, determine alimony and determine child custody arrangements and support (if applicable). Under a legal separation, the marriage continues. Under a divorce, the marriage ends.
Example Scenario
You and your spouse need help completing a marital settlement agreement.
Available Help
Advice or general assistance
LEGAL MATTER
Advice or general assistance
Guardianship of minor
Description
The court gives a person the legal power and responsibilities of a parent. The guardian cares and makes decisions for the child.
Example Scenario
You need help filing for temporary guardianship of your granddaughter.
Available Help
Advice or general assistance
LEGAL MATTER
Paternity
Description
This is legally establishing the identity of your child’s biological father.
Example Scenario
You need help responding to a petition for paternity.
Available Help
Advice or general assistance

LEGAL MATTER
Bankruptcy
Description
This is a legal process that can help you get rid of debt or set up a payment plan. There are several types of bankruptcy.
Example Scenario
You can’t pay your debts and need advice on which type of bankruptcy to file for.
Available Help
Advice or general assistance
LEGAL MATTER
Debt
Description
You owe money to a business or person.
Example Scenario
You received notice of a wage garnishment order and need help filing an exemption claim.
Available Help
Advice or general assistance

LEGAL MATTER
Eviction
Description
Your landlord is removing you from the property you’re renting.
Example Scenario
Although you were behind on your rent payment, you paid the full amount before the due date given in the eviction notice. Your landlord is continuing with the eviction anyway.
Help Available
Advice or full representation
LEGAL MATTER
Housing rights violation 
Description
You’re being discriminated against because of your race, religion, gender, national origin, familial status or disability.
Example Scenario
Your landlord is charging you a pet deposit for your service animal.
Help Available
Advice or full representation
LEGAL MATTER
Security deposit return 
Description
Your landlord is refusing to return some or all of your security deposit.
Example Scenario
You left your apartment in good condition, but your landlord is charging an unreasonable amount to make small repairs.
Help Available
Advice or full representation
LEGAL MATTER
Unsafe housing conditions 
Description
The property you’re renting has a problem that makes it unsafe or unhealthy to live in.
Example Scenario
Your landlord refuses to fix a leaky roof. Mold is growing on the ceiling, and your belongings are being damaged.
Help Available
Advice or full representation

LEGAL MATTER
Asylum
Description
 You came to the U.S. because you were being persecuted or were afraid you would be persecuted in your home country.
Example Scenario
You need help completing and filing an asylum application.
Available Help
Advice, general assistance or referral
LEGAL MATTER
General 
Description
This covers a variety of immigration matters, including bringing a family member to the U.S., getting a green card and becoming a U.S. citizen.
Example Scenario
You’re undocumented and want to know if you qualify for immigration relief.
Available Help
Advice, general assistance or referral

LEGAL MATTER
Child care power of attorney
Description
As parent or legal guardian, you temporarily give responsibility of your minor child to someone else.
Example Scenario
You need help appointing your mom as your child care power of attorney.
Available Help
Advice
LEGAL MATTER
Financial power of attorney
Description
You legally allow someone to manage your finances and property if you’re not able to manage them yourself.
Example Scenario
You need help appointing a family friend as your financial power of attorney.
Available Help
Advice
LEGAL MATTER
Health care power of attorney
Description
You legally allow someone to make health care decisions on your behalf if you’re not able to make them yourself.
Example Scenario
You need help appointing your sister as your health care power of attorney.
Available Help
Advice
LEGAL MATTER
Will
Description
You indicate what should be done with your assets and property after your death.
Example Scenario
You want to divide your estate between your nephew and favorite charity and need help writing a simple will.
Available Help
Advice

Description
This is legally changing your name and gender on official documents (for example, your birth certificate or driver’s license).
Example Scenario
You need help filling out forms and petitioning the court to change the name and gender on your birth certificate.
Available Help
Advice, general assistance or full representation

Description
You applied for or are receiving a public benefit, such as BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare, Kinship Care, unemployment compensation, Wisconsin Medicaid, Wisconsin Shares or Wisconsin Works (W-2).
Example Scenario
Your FoodShare application was denied, and you need help with a fair hearing.
Available Help
Advice or full representation