Having legal challenges can get in the way of living the life you want to live. It can interfere with transitioning from the military, getting that next job or housing, as well as benefits and services you are eligible to access. Ignoring legal difficulties tends to make them worse; however, there are free and low-cost resources available to service members and Veterans that can make legal concerns less burdensome.
Variety of legal issues
Stateside Legal provides a range of services across the country including self-help, discharge upgrades or military record changes, health, housing, education, employment debt, family, criminal concerns, and resources that are specific to women and LGBTQ+ community. They serve Veterans, service members, people with military experience and their families.
Local VA legal services and Veterans Justice Outreach
Legal help for Veterans is available at VA and includes Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists and partnerships with legal clinics. Veterans Justice Outreach Specialists identify justice-involved Veterans and contact them through outreach, and they often work with Veterans treatment courts and free legal clinics. Moreover, they are frequently the point of contact for the 150+ legal clinics that serve Veterans around the country. The clinics that offer legal services by state and VA facility are here.
VA disability benefits and discharge upgrades
VetLex is a dedicated web-based network of coordinated pro bono legal service providers. It connects Veterans to someone who can help with a legal issue. Most legal work focuses on discharge upgrades and VA disability benefits, but VetLex has some services for other legal needs in select locations. To use this resource, you’ll be asked to enter information about your legal situation, then VetLex will connect you to a volunteer attorney in your area.
Legal questions
American Bar Association (ABA) Free Legal Answers for Veterans is a virtual legal advice portal where income-eligible Veterans and survivors can submit questions pertaining to non-criminal legal issues. Attorneys accredited with VA volunteer to answer questions about VA benefits, discharge upgrades, and similar Veterans’ legal issues.
Wide search of legal resources
The National Resource Directory (NRD) offers a broad search for legal resources. This is a database of validated resources that supports recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration for service members, Veterans, family members and caregivers. Entering “legal services” in the NRD search bar gives you a list of non-governmental organizations that offer free legal services to Veterans and service members. You can customize your search by state, city and zip code. Contact numbers and emails are readily available and offerings range across wide variety of legal services.
The sharing of any non-VA information does not constitute an endorsement of products and services on the part of VA. Veterans should verify the information with the organization offering.
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GOOD AFTERNOON-
I EMAILED YOU REGARDING SOME LEGAL MATTERS MY HUSBAND (DISABLED VET) IS NEEDING HELP WITH AND HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM ANYONE. PLEASE TOUCH BASE WITH ME AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE REGARDING THIS MATTER.
THANKS
JACKIE SIMMS
I could use some legal assistance to deal with the SSA (Social Security Administration) and an accusation of overpayment.
I’m having a hard time getting an apartment, I need help
I need Help with setting up a will, and or Trust Fund ! Can any one help ?
Can I get a will made for free somewhere in Erie Pa ? Thanks
hello my name is marlaine, i would like to have some assistance with the irs. Can you help I filed and i am head of household but they didnt list me as that so now I have not recieved my total refund back on my taxes nor my stimulus check.
I need help filing a law suite against a business…can you hellllp!
I have a problem with a lien on my property from my 2nd mortgage that was discharged through Bankruptcy. what can I do ?
I want to file for divorce since my wife left me 5 years ago and i have no idea where she is?
my husband is a veteran and needing legal help with paternity and child support. is this something you guys can help him with. they are telling us we need to hire an attorney and we don’t have the $3500 to pay one. what do we need to do?
Hello
I have several questions about family court, government contracts, SSI, and appealing Vocational rehab, How do i get in contact with you or are you going to contact me with the information provided below?
What about wills, trusts, etc.,?
Need help preparing a will. Is this covered under free legal services for Veterans, service members?
I checked with the Stafford County Courthouse about adopting my grow daughter. But they said I need a lawyer to fill out the paperwork. I need the assistance of a lawyer; can you help me ASAP?
What about legal services for Veterans, who have been Falsely removed from Federal Service or County Government as well as Government Contracts. Veterans Legal recourse for situations of that nature.
need help ASAP
Who is eligible to receive legal assistance? Who is not
Call your local VA to find out if they have a representative that offers free legal services to veterans on certain days/times.
Where can I get free Notary service besides as credit union where I have to be a member?
For small fee you can often get notary services at private shipping places like PostalAnnex and ShipStation. FexEx and UPS locations often have the services available.
yes, I would like to speak with someone who helps me with attaining my disability which I continue to say I don’t qualify for. I did receive a non-service-connected disability and it was stopped because I went to work. But I still suffer from these PTSD symptoms. I have all my medical papers and a denial letter.
I also have never got a reply from the VA, the Bar association of the county of Lancaster, Delaware county, Chester and York counties of the wonderful cummist state of PennsaKeturky!! ( no that’s not a misspelling of the words so for!!)
Need help and answers of the setalment of an Estate ASAP as in yesterday Oct 1,2022 (10/1/22)
For those asking for will assistance. Check out this partnership with FreeWill from IAVA, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Hope this helps.
https://www.freewill.com/iava?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=iava_plannedgivingpg
This group should have been listed since they were created by VSOs working together. https://www.vetsprobono.org/
The Pro Bono Program is governed by an Executive Board of up to nine members. Four of the members represent the Consortium partners, The American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the National Veterans Legal Services Program and the Paralyzed Veterans of America, and the remaining members are drawn from the private bar. The Pro Bono Program is made up of two components – the Outreach and Education Component, which works with training and mentoring volunteer attorneys, and the Case Evaluation and Placement Component, which evaluates the cases of veterans seeking services and matches the veteran’s case with the volunteer attorneys.
I would like help writing out my will while I am in California this winter. Are there people at Loma Linda VA who can help me with this.
Can I get a living will done by the Legal services group and is there a cost?
I am a DAV
Those of you wanting assistance with a basic Will there are countless free templates online (search ‘free will for [X] state) that are simple fill-in-the-blanks, no attorney needed, as that is not a service the VA provides. For those seeking criminal or civil defense you will most likely be referred to a legal aid team in your area that will see if you meet income and/or need guidelines. For those wanting to have someone investigated and/or prosecuted call your local law enforcement agency don’t wait for someone to post on an advice or chat forum; they along with Health & Welfare, Child Protective Services, etc., etc., etc. should be your first go-to. Your State Bar Association is great resources. NOLO.com is a great resource. FindLaw.com is a great resource. Justia.com is a great resource. Your local Legal Aid is a great resource.
Hello,
I think that I need legal help with this case regarding trespassing. I suffer from chronic depression and am a career retired veteran. My daughter suffered a loss of my grandchild, as I had to be there until she actually gave birth (stillborn). I didn’t realize the impact of events that would trigger my mental state to the point of driving myself to the VA hospital for help. Also, I started to drive with no particular destination for hours, until I could go home. Unfortunately, I was introduced to the casino that allowed me to stay away from home day and night. I would use every dime available and sit around until the the midnite hour allowing me to get more money from my accounts (I had a daily limit of withdrawals per day). I was away from home over 24hrs, not letting my spouse or child know where I could be found. When I did go home I went straight to bed. My family tried to intervene, but I wouldn’t tell them that I am in pain.One day I went to the bank and got a couple thousand dollars out of my account…I feed the machines and still withdrew cash to play. A lady next to me said, I would die if I put my money in that machine like that. I went to the Kiosk and asked the representative if there is a way I could sign up to restrict my coming to the Casino floor until I get some mental help. Basically, I signed a document with the casino security ” restricting me for 3yrs”. What I didn’t realize is that the casino also would label me a criminal if I wasn’t strong enough or mentally unclear, having to go to any casino, even “after” the three year mark. The sigh they have in their businesses is “Gambling Problem”, Need Help…I thought they would help. Yet, I have been to court at least 3 times and have court day set for Oct 12, 2022 for the SAME case. Each time the judge would say I am hearing a trespassing case, they must reschedule you. It’s been more than a year, until I recently received this new court date. This is driving me crazy…if I had any other vices I probably would’ve abused them by now. Bottomline, I wish not to deal with this, my fear is that it would delayed again or my life would despair. I am a loyal and honorable veteran. When I was handcuffed and escorted away from the casino, I fell apart, I’ve never felt so violated. I’ve never told anyone what I am saying here…the water runs deeper emotionally. Thanks for hearing me out.
Hello. I am in dire need of representation for Trust Litigation immediately! I also need a conservatorship attorney that is not corrupted in Sacramento County or El Dorado County or San Francisco County or San Mateo County immediately as well!
My loving mother has been taken advantage of by my sister and she has hired all of the correct people to make it appear as she has done nothing wrong! All while she has unduly influenced and coerced and even DRUGGED my mother into getting her to do what she wants! Not to mention the Predatory Conservator involved!
Now my mother’s life is in danger because of the idiot caregivers that have been placed to look after my mother that shove unnecessary drugs into her mouth!!! By this crooked Successor Trustee / Fiduciary!
The conservatorship process is SO ABUSIVE to all seniors! To me, it’s a crime against their desires and wishes! It’s really just a means at getting to their cash “legally.” What a crime!!!
Thus, I need an attorney immediately to help represent me for an upcoming trial at the beginning of December! And trust litigation that hasn’t even been initiated by me because of all the faulty information that I have gotten from actual licensed attorneys!!!
Additionally, I am very limited on funds and I have tried all of the immediate resources like the California Bar and the County Bar and Legal Aid with no luck what so ever! T.V. won’t report on the case because “it’s ongoing.” I need someone specific who would like to save a very good woman from more torture and hell!!! I really mean these statements. If you only knew what my mother and I have been through, you would get mad as hell and cringe at the minimum!
Hello,
Do you offer help in creating a last will and testament?
Thank you,
Glad to see legal minds are available for the vets. I’ll be touch.
Vero
GOOD DAY
This news release the VA has provided for Vets is AS THE FEDERAL GOVERMRNT VETERAN ADMIN in my opinion is an EMPTY SET
99.9 of the time the VA responds with
UNFORTUNATELY THE VA CANNOT ASSIST VETERANS ON SITUATIONS
LIKE YOURS
HOWEVER THE NEXT WAR OF CONFLICT THE USA WILL CALL ON U
Editor, if you want to help Vets, why not answer the questions they post below or be up front and set the expectation that most questions will not be responded to. Otherwise it’s just another frustrating example of trying to work with the VA.
Need help preparing a will for me and my wife.
I called these numbers and different entities names on this page, and I never received the help that was needed. They always have an excuse or reason to deny help or they are on vacation. They always said that they will call you back, and they never do call you.
I NEED HELP WITH A COURT CASE, I WAS FALSELY ACCUED OF FIDUCIARY AND ELDERLY ABUSE, without having any evidence of any wrong doing. Ken’s son and daughter presented the court only their thoughts and beliefs but no evidence of any wrong doing by me, which led to a three million dollar bond placed on me and the court-appointed temporary trustee for Ken. However the evidence I submitted to the court clearly shows that in December of 2020, Ken appointed me as his legal trustee and that he was fully confident of me. I was appointed by there father Mr. Kenneth Attaway to be his CO- Trust do to him losing trust in his son to carry out his wish when he pass away. When Mr. ken pass away Dec. 1, 2021, than all charges against me was drop by his son and daughter, I than ask the court to be reinstated as the legal trustee, but the judge refuse without give me any reason why and now this case is continue with the judge not allow me to speak in the court room any more, (why) I terminate my lawyer in front of the judge so I can speak for myself. I believe my lawyer was working with ken son, he never stand up for me. I server with honor in the USN for 20 year in now I’m been ignore, Mr. Ken was a WWII Veterans and his request also been ignore. HELP PLEASE
Why is VA News promoting Stateside Legal at the top of this article when they exclude Men? Most veterans are male. In the first sentence (long run on sentence) it states: “specific to women and LGBTQ+ community” which excludes males. Be fair and equal, both male and female veterans should be included. VA needs to delete this as exclusionary to male veterans and as promoting a bias against males.
As you know the focus of everything in today’s society is geared towards all “formerly repressed classes,” you know, the ones who had it so bad they equate themselves with Jews during the Holocaust. It is a damned shame that everything we read in a newsletter and in email updates appears to be aimed at those who maybe constitute what, 10%-15% of all veterans, LBGQT, women, and anyone who isn’t part of the class which fought all our wars and defended our country since time immemorial, that being MEN!
I’m a guy who is not offended at all by some services having restrictions that they only provide for women and LGBTQ only. Marginalized groups often have unique and specialized needs. There are plenty of other resources available for men, women and LGBTQ to share.
I guess you have a problem with the VA not giving you gynaecologist services as well.
“…provides a range of services across the country including self-help, discharge upgrades or military record changes, health, housing, education, employment debt, family, criminal concerns, and resources that are specific to women and LGBTQ+ community.”
Their services include resources specific to women and the LGBTQ+ community (which also includes men btw.) Nowhere in that statement does it say that they exclude men from their services. Think of it like a list. Their services include items 1, 2, 3, and 4. Items 1-3 could be used by anyone, including men. Item 4 is specific to women. Hell, Item 2 could be legal services related to prostate cancer claims that are service related. Doesn’t make the company biased against women.
Keep up your good work.
Need help preparing a will. Is this covered under free legal services for Veterans, service members?
In San Antonio Texas. Wondering if a service exists to have a will done for free. I am rated at 100 percent disabled.
We see many comments on TV pertaining to veterans trained in North Carolina. Nothing is ever said about Veterans who presently are not sick with Diseases they mentioned. What about in the future? Should Veterans apply for benefits at the present?
Need a lawyer to create a trust/Will for myself and my wife.
need help to review my will and property transfer problems
Need help preparing a will
Dies this legal services section offer services in making a will?
I am 100% permanently and totally disabled. I see nowhere this article where VA will provide a Living Will and/or a regular WILL. Yet, a whole bunch of Veterans below have enquired. Where do we obtain that information? Is it something that needs to be added to VA benefits?
I also need help with a will,l want to cancel the benefishery and possibly add another or cancel it all
I am a MST victim who is 100% service connected for PTSD but I need a discharge upgrade. Can you please help me with it, my contact information is being included. I thank you now as I look forward to hearing from you.
Can we get help creating a will??
Hello. Help with a Will?
Do you offer help in creating a last will and testament?
There are so many questions about will assistance. Will the VA respond?
Is there help for making a will?
Good information to know. VA needs to advertise this service in moor of their correspondences.
Can I get help in preparing a will?
Why isn’t virginia listed for legal services?
I run a baseball league in Austin TX and next season I would like an entire team of Veterans
Our season begins in the first Sunday in March of 2023 we play in Del Valle and on Sundays with an occasional week night game
Need a lawyer to create a trust for myself and my wife
Hi! my name Salvador Espinoza retired military, I would like to know where or how I can obtain a Living Will, thank you.
we needhelp with wills
Where do I find a lawyer to sue an Army doctor who lied about how I was injured?
Can a Veterans Affairs doctor be sued for calling me a fg liar over and over changing my injury into a lie? Have never been able to get help for my injury?
The Army instead of giving me my army retirement that just discharged me. Submitting me for discharge secretly before PEB was complete.
Can I get any help with these issues?
Thanks Richard
Served with an “Order of Protection” for harassment and fear of being harmed based on fabricated exaggerated statements without any factual basis.
No lawyers in town would go against the Justice Court Judge.
can i get help with a will
Help updating my Last Will !
Sexual abuse at Leavenworth VA
give me a phone number to reach an attorney in Las Cruces New Mexico. I am a veteran with low income and need to make a will.
living will, power of attorney
I have legal concerns about my parents will.my sister has refused to disburse money left to me in will.i have the will.just want what was left to me.
I need information about a Will.
Where can I get assistance setting up a will? There was a previous article here but can’t find it now.
Can a veteran get legal help for making out a will?
Who can help me with immigration law?
Who do I talk to about restoring my rights?
where do i turn to for help with the damage to my home from the hurricane that hit us i am in a disaster zone and i have insurance but i found out that my copay is going to be about $10,000 is there any programs out there to help me
thank you Doug.
June 29th I lost my workshop and home to a catastrophic fire which has been declared a total loss, as well as arson has been ruled out. Since then We have been told by the local building inspector (who is not a structural engineer nor has he been past the front door ) that No one is allowed on the property as it is in danger of collapse. I know better as this was my Grandfathers house and I am intimately familiar with it over 60 years and know it’s construction. I have also been able to sneak on the property a couple of times to access the damages myself. I lost a enormous amount of tools and equipment as well as supplies for my home craft business. My wife unfortunately lost most everything. BUT the couple of times I was able to sneak in I was able to recover some items totally undamaged and there are many items in the yard that remain undamaged. My problem is I do not want to expose anyone who has offered to help to any legal action by the city but being a 90% service connected disabled Veteran am unable to move a lot of stuff to a storage area on my own. The building official told us the day after the fire that he wants the entire structure leveled to the ground and only then we can go onto the property to dig through the rubble pile and salvage our possessions. Is there any way around this guy?? BTW the weather service 4 blocks inland recorded wind speeds of 70mph and rain of 4-6 inches and photos I have taken from the fence after IAN show no change in the structure whatsoever making his questionable determination pretty mute. He caught me a month ago leaving the yard after recovering a license plate of a boat trailer to get renewed so I could use trailer to try and move undamaged items from the yard. It has been over 3 months and my stress level it through the roof. I live in Key West. Please advise, Doug
Where is the info on how to file or get help with Tort Claims against the VA? Or are you trying to keep that info quiet?
a quick Google search will give you the answer……GGGGOOOOOGGGGGLLLLLEEEEEE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
https://www.va.gov/OGC/FTCA.asp which I found via an internet search of “how to file a tort claim against the VA”.
[Editor: Do you mean a Title 38 or “1151?” It’s listed on the compensation page under special claims: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/special-claims/1151-claims-title-38 ]
of course they are, the VA news is owned by VA members that have VA interest at heart not the members.
Good question. I couldn’t find tort help from any of the sources on a list the VA gave me a couple years ago. I’m a publisher so I hired a researcher to call all the sources on the list and record what that said to her. Some did not even answer their phone ( including the American Legion) Then I published the results as “VA Torts Law Group’s LEGAL SERVICES REFERRAL LIST IS BOGUS! ”
B
[Editor: Do you mean a Title 38 or “1151?” It’s listed on the compensation page under special claims: https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/special-claims/1151-claims-title-38 ]
I have a huge problem also. The VA in Atlanta for FEE BASIS falsifies my income so they can bill me and their charges increase everywhere, it’s corrupt. My income is below the poverty level. Also where you reside in a give county in a state, the threshold varies considerably, but the Atlanta bureaucrats throw all out including your grievance facts. Some VA’s are better than others some worse.
To add to my comment, the VA is two tiered, the medical staff whom I’ve been attended to are for the most part quite understanding and helpful hence the motto “thank you for your service”. My issues with them are rather small. The second tiered is the bureaucrats that run the show. They dictate policy and tell the media=cal staff what they an do and can’t do and tie the Vet up into all kinds of paperwork that is hard to understand. their motto “thank you for your sacrifice, you gave us a job”. I’ve had papers thrown at me. At VA med centers in Phoenix, Denver and Tacoma there’s a long waiting list and Vets have died waiting. VA in Biloxi MS spent $2 million on artwork, but nickle dime me for services. The VA just got a 15% budget raise, no relief for the Vet. Each time a new Gov administration is in control, the Vet situation gets worse. I suspect most bureaucrats and Gov administration are NOT Vets.
Just about lost my hearing being around KC-135’s and B-52’s (and flew on them and got “Hazardous pay $55”. Rn the engines for 3-1/2 years. Denied hearing loss request. Said a small plane had higher than 8 jet engines at 100% for all that time. That analysis was from Pittsburg PA VA. The J-57 was the loudest in the AF.
The VA wastes so much money, many empty buildings around the country they are leasing. Don’t bother contacting a Congressman for concerns. The VA has them hog tied and in a quiet position. Wrote Sanders (chair of the VA committee) NOTHING, my home state.
I have reams of documents compiled over the years about VA corruption since they started to dump on me.
Don’t know if good info gets “modified”. Just do some elementary research to see what the probs are.
I think that to succesfuly file a tort claim against the Federal Government, you hire a good lawyer.
kicked in the chest while on salvation army property
bro….what???? LOL