Your lawyer is the person who represents you and gives you legal advice. You can spend a lot of time with them. Before choosing your lawyer, here are some tips to help you and your lawyer have a good working relationship: Learn more about applying for family or civil legal aid Legal aid also includes any representation we provide on your behalf. This also includes representation in family court. If you don`t already know a family or civil lawyer, you can: As we are a family lawyer for legal aid, you may have access to experienced family law lawyers, even if you do not have the funds to pay for legal services yourself. This ensures that you can get the best advice and that you have all the knowledge you need to make decisions about your situation. Some lawyers answer questions about legal aid for free, but you should always discuss them first. Always check that the lawyer you are talking to is providing legal assistance and can be in court if necessary. If you are looking for a family law lawyer for legal aid, we can help you at D R Legal. We offer all family law services eligible for legal aid. Under current New Zealand law, this means all aspects of family law, with the exception of divorce and separation. The lawyers on our team have extensive experience in all areas of family law.
We are also caring and compassionate, and discretion is guaranteed when you come to us. We know that family law issues and/or the handling of family disputes are very stressful. It can also be very annoying. We are understanding in these situations and will work hard to ensure you receive the best legal advice and representation. When people seek family or civil legal assistance, they usually get help from a lawyer they want to have represented in their case. If you need a family lawyer, it`s important to remember that not all lawyers work on legal aid cases. In addition, many legal aid lawyers have little experience in family law cases and matters. However, at D R Legal, we have the experience you need during this difficult time in your life and we accept legal aid cases.
Before applying for legal aid, find the lawyer you want to advise and represent. If you can`t afford a lawyer, you may have access to legal aid. In a family or civil matter, it is up to you to find a lawyer to represent you. This is different from criminal legal aid, where you will usually be assigned a lawyer. Before you go to court, you can seek legal advice on what to do if you can`t agree with someone else on how to care for your children. Some lawyers answer questions about legal aid for free, but you should always discuss them with the lawyer when you start talking to them. Start by contacting a lawyer you would like to have represented. When talking to them, make sure they have been approved for legal aid for your particular type of case. You`ll also need to provide details and proof of your finances – If you don`t already know a lawyer you think is appropriate, ask your friends or family if they can recommend one. Legal Aid Services will send you a letter informing you of your decision. The letter will also tell you whether you need to start reimbursing legal aid immediately (“interim payments”). Your lawyer will fill out the parts of the application form that are relevant to your case and why legal aid should be granted for it.
The lawyer will receive a copy of the legal aid application form and help you complete it. You can also obtain the form from the district court or from a Community Law Centre or a Citizens` Advice Office (CAB). You send your application for legal aid to the Ministry of Justice, the government agency that manages legal aid. If you have a partner, you must provide the same financial information about them on a separate form. This means not only married couples and registered civil partnerships, but also common-law partners (including same-sex partners).