Single Mom, Many Hats: What To Do When "Attorney" Isn't One Of Them

If you are a single mom, you are already wearing many professional hats: you are counselor, taxi driver, short order cook, banker, teacher, and (sigh) maid. One area in which you are probably not qualified to claim authority is that of lawyer, yet legal problems abound for single mothers. You may be dealing with fallout from your spouse or partner's domestic violence and need a restraining order. You may be frustrated that your spouse has yet to pay the child support ordered by the judge in family court. Perhaps you have been evicted. Maybe you want to file for full custody of your children. Whatever your legal needs are at this point in your life, they are most likely beyond your scope of expertise; however, your budget tells you it is impossible to hire a family law attorney. The good news is that many resources are available to single moms just like you.

Legal aid societies

A legal aid society is a non profit organization dedicated to assisting low income families with issues such as child custody, visitation, adoption, housing, restraining orders, spousal support, and divorce/annulment. These societies provide free legal assistance to those who meet their income guidelines. Legal aid societies are everywhere; every state has a legal aid office that can make a referral to branches located throughout its cities.

Where to start: Call your local legal aid society, or ask your state's legal aid office for contact information. This website is full of links to legal aid societies in each state.

Non-profit agencies

Some cities have non-profit agencies that provide legal assistance that is either free or billed on a sliding scale according to a person's income. Most are freestanding agencies existing only in that particular city, rather than centrally administered like legal aid societies. Therefore, services vary depending on each one's mission statement and funding. While not every non-profit program offers the same services, one in your city may offer help for issues related to family law.

Where to start: Call your city's community helpline, which may be 211.

Pro bono legal programs

A pro bono program is similar to a legal aid society, but is run by state or county bar associations. Lawyers volunteer a portion of their time to take cases pro bono ("for free") on behalf of low income individuals. Availability of legal help is based on the load of cases currently being handled by the program, so there may be a wait time to meet with an attorney.

Where to start: Call your state's bar association for a program in your area.

Child support enforcement agencies

Child support enforcement agencies are the "strong arm" of family court, stepping in to find neglectful parents and mandate them to pay financial support already established by a judge. Possible enforcement measures against the lax parent include wage garnishment, suspension of professional licenses, reporting to credit bureaus, and rerouting of tax refunds and lottery winnings. These agencies do not charge for their services because they are government entities carrying out court orders.

Where to start: Call the family court in your city for contact information, or search for the direct listing. 

With legal assistance, you can file a restraining order so that you don't have to live in fear for yourself or your children. You can take action to obtain back child support. You can even proceed with your dream of full child custody. Make phone calls today to retain a family law attorney who can remedy your particular circumstances. You may wear many hats as a single mom, but this is one you can toss to a professional. Contact a firm like Grenadier, Starace, Duffett & Keisler, PC to get started.