Guidelines for Legal Aide in Ohio

Recently, I read online about a horrible injustice in the legal system. It involved a child custody case. The jest of it was that the mother could not afford representation and the father in the case, as well as the court itself took advantage of her. I was appalled. I have heard about many cases like this. And I have a brief understanding of how unfair the court systems can be, at times.

Okay, maybe unfair isn't the right word. But they do sometimes hold out on you.

I have a friend. This friend needed help with a child custody and a child support case. This friend is a good man. Yes, I said man. Men, too, get hurt by the courts. But he was and is not good at writing letters, filling out forms, etc. He asked for my help.

His problem was that he once had a great job. He did make really great money. But he got hurt at this said job and the court refused to understand that he wasn't making the same money as he once did. Thus, he could not possibly make the child support payments they wanted him to make.

I got involved. I helped him to write letters to the court. We talked to a few attorneys together. He couldn't afford their fees.

While we were in the process of all of this, the court got a new judge. The old one retired. We went into the courthouse one day to look at his file. We talked to one of the ladies at the front desk about his predicament. That was when we learnt that he was entitled to possibly free or reduced representation.

What happened? This representation actually always existed. They were just not allowed to tell people about it. This new judge wanted people to know.

My friend had to show proof of income and then they set him up with a lawyer. He got help with the entire matter, from the custody to the child support payments.

Many states or counties may have programs like these. But you have to be diligent you have to ask.

I did a little research. I live in Ohio. If you happen to live in Ohio and need some legal help the following agencies may help you if you live within their counties. You usually have to fall within financial guideline, so be sure to gather up all your financial records before you make an appointment.