Pro Bono Resources from the South Carolina Bar
What does Pro Bono mean?
Many South Carolina lawyers offer their services for free (pro bono) to clients who cannot afford to pay for help with civil legal matters. These matters include family, housing, bankruptcy or probate matters.
How do I qualify for pro bono assistance?
You must meet federally established poverty guidelines. To find out if you qualify, contact the Legal Aid Telephone Intake Service (LATIS) at (888) 346-5592. If you qualify, the South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Program will refer you to a lawyer. The Bar's Pro Bono Program is funded primarily through the South Carolina Bar Foundation and private Lawyers.
How long will it take the Pro Bono Program to find a lawyer?
This depends on the number of volunteer lawyers available in the county where the case will be heard and what the cases involves. It may take up to four weeks to find the right volunteer lawyer to take your case.
What if I am served with legal papers?
The Pro Bono Program is rarely able to accommodate emergency requests for a lawyer. However, if you are served with legal papers after the Pro Bono Program has received or completed your intake but before you have been referred to a lawyer, call the Pro Bono office immediately. If you are served with papers after a lawyer has taken your case, call the lawyer's office immediately.
How do I know when a lawyer has taken my case?
You will receive a letter from the Pro Bono office that gives you the lawyer's name and telephone number. You should call your lawyer during regular business hours as soon as you receive the letter.
How much will it cost?
The volunteer lawyer will not charge a fee. However, you may be responsible for any related costs, such as filing and service charges. The opposing lawyer may ask for lawyer's fees from you, but it will be up to the judge to decide if you should pay.
What if my income increases?
If your income increases after your first interview with Legal Services or the Pro Bono Program, contact the Pro Bono office. If your income increases after your case has been referred to a lawyer, contact the lawyer.
What should I take to the interview with my lawyer?
You should take any legal papers that have been served and any other documents related to your case. It is your responsibility to provide this information to your lawyer.
What if I decide to drop my case?
If you decide to drop your case, call your lawyer. Your lawyer will contact the Pro Bono office. If you simply fail to show up for an appointment or court hearing, your case will be closed by your lawyer immediately.
What if I cannot keep an appointment with my lawyer?
You must call and cancel any appointment you cannot keep as far in advance as possible. If you fail to call, your lawyer may close your case.
What if I move or change my phone number?
If your address or phone number changes, call the Pro Bono office with the new information. Be sure to let your lawyer know also.
What if I don't have a car?
You are responsible for arranging transportation to the attorney's office and to the court.
Source: "Pro Bono Resources" from the South Carolina Bar.
Many South Carolina lawyers offer their services for free (pro bono) to clients who cannot afford to pay for help with civil legal matters. These matters include family, housing, bankruptcy or probate matters.
How do I qualify for pro bono assistance?
You must meet federally established poverty guidelines. To find out if you qualify, contact the Legal Aid Telephone Intake Service (LATIS) at (888) 346-5592. If you qualify, the South Carolina Bar Pro Bono Program will refer you to a lawyer. The Bar's Pro Bono Program is funded primarily through the South Carolina Bar Foundation and private Lawyers.
How long will it take the Pro Bono Program to find a lawyer?
This depends on the number of volunteer lawyers available in the county where the case will be heard and what the cases involves. It may take up to four weeks to find the right volunteer lawyer to take your case.
What if I am served with legal papers?
The Pro Bono Program is rarely able to accommodate emergency requests for a lawyer. However, if you are served with legal papers after the Pro Bono Program has received or completed your intake but before you have been referred to a lawyer, call the Pro Bono office immediately. If you are served with papers after a lawyer has taken your case, call the lawyer's office immediately.
How do I know when a lawyer has taken my case?
You will receive a letter from the Pro Bono office that gives you the lawyer's name and telephone number. You should call your lawyer during regular business hours as soon as you receive the letter.
How much will it cost?
The volunteer lawyer will not charge a fee. However, you may be responsible for any related costs, such as filing and service charges. The opposing lawyer may ask for lawyer's fees from you, but it will be up to the judge to decide if you should pay.
What if my income increases?
If your income increases after your first interview with Legal Services or the Pro Bono Program, contact the Pro Bono office. If your income increases after your case has been referred to a lawyer, contact the lawyer.
What should I take to the interview with my lawyer?
You should take any legal papers that have been served and any other documents related to your case. It is your responsibility to provide this information to your lawyer.
What if I decide to drop my case?
If you decide to drop your case, call your lawyer. Your lawyer will contact the Pro Bono office. If you simply fail to show up for an appointment or court hearing, your case will be closed by your lawyer immediately.
What if I cannot keep an appointment with my lawyer?
You must call and cancel any appointment you cannot keep as far in advance as possible. If you fail to call, your lawyer may close your case.
What if I move or change my phone number?
If your address or phone number changes, call the Pro Bono office with the new information. Be sure to let your lawyer know also.
What if I don't have a car?
You are responsible for arranging transportation to the attorney's office and to the court.
Source: "Pro Bono Resources" from the South Carolina Bar.
My son was told that in order to qulaify for a pro-bono attorney there must be abuse, and proof of it or adultery, and proof of it. He has not worked in about 6 months and there is no income at all. There is no proof of abuse, even though there has been physical abuse. He wants to re-enlist in the Army but does not want the soon to be ex-wife to have any access to any sign on bonus'. What can he do?
Thanks
My grandma needs a lawyer, she has dementia. She has two living sons that neglected her, one of who is my father. I have been her caregiver since May of this year. I need help trying to sort out her business and getting my farher out of her home, can you help? I am in south carolina.
I have protective custody of my neice, who is three years old. I have taken care of her and her mother since she was three months old. She was taken out of her mother's custody due to drugs given to her by her mother's boyfriend. It is time for her mother's revue from DSS. I feel that her mother is iresponsible. She does not work,is not looking for work. She hs no permeant home. She is staying with her mother. They don't get along well due to the fact that her mother was a drug addict, and left her. All I want is for my neice to be taken care of, financially, and physically.
I do not qualify for legal aid as I make too much in gross earnings but after I pay the court ordered child support, (as my soon to be ex would not negotiate with me,) I live off of just over 900.00 a month. That would place me in the poverty level. I still do not qualify for legal aid. I have been separated for almost 2 years, do not have a separation agreement or a divorce. I decided to try to do it pro-se. The other half is dragging her feet and finds a reason to hold things up. I just want it to end but I may have to get a lawyer. I cannot get ahead as I have no money for a lawyer. Anyone have any ideas?
If you are a man, are being falsely accused of abuse, and have no money, expect to get reamed. The courts are run by high power attorney's and the one who can afford the big high power ones win in family court.
Family court from my experience in York County, SC has nothing to do with truth or mediating a positive outcome. It is all about spending money to fight which will hurt the child and empty your bank accounts.
I went to court for final divorce hearing,I served the paper at 9:20am for the hearing,actruly the hearing was 9:00am,when i got there they were finished and i tryed to explain to juge for this metter,it was not my falt to get late,also my ex filed for reduce the child support with juge hand which i never served,it was another mistaked,i'm glad the juge let me go inside for explain ,my ex will refile for reduce of child support,dose anyone knows do i need to find a lawyer for this case,i don't have job,how can find PROBONO lawyer in greenville SC. THANKS ALOT!