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** a joint project of Los Angeles Superior Court, San Fernando Valley Bar Association and Neighborhood Legal Services. The Center is supported by a grant from the Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs **
- Van Nuys Center: Located at 6280 Sylmar Avenue, Room G-130, Van Nuys, Ca. - corner of Sylvan and Sylmar adjacent to the Van Nuys Civic Center. The Van Nuys Center was opened in November 2000 to help people who do not have a lawyer. Monroe High School acts as a satellite center (with reduced hours)
- Center Hours: Mon - Friday, 8:30 am - Noon (Family Law cases only), 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm (All other Civil Matters (no Family Law Cases during the afternoon hours), including ansewering evictoin papers and small claims cases. Telephone: 818/________ .
- Monroe High School Satellite Center: 9229 Haskell Ave. North Hills, CA 91343
Phone: 818/834-7512 (at the off ramp of Nordoff Avenue at the 405 Freeway, corner of Nordoff and Haskell Ave. Center Hours: Tuesday - 4- 7 pm, Thursday - 4-7 pm, Saturday - 9 - 12
- Information about the Center(s)
- Is there a fee for srevices? No. Individuals who receive services are called: Guests, and not clients. Guests may need to pay for court fees and costs if they file or defend an action. The facilitators at the Center are not the attorney for the Guests. In an attorney/client relationship the attorney advises the client what is the best solution to a legal problem. The Center will give the Guest the available opitons and the Guest chooses the best soluiton for him or her.
- What types of cases does the Center handle ? The Van Nuys Center assists with family law cases such as divorces, paternity, custody and visitation problems. (from 8:30 am - noon, Monday through Friday). The Van Nuys Center will also assist with Civil Matters, Monday through Friday, 1:30 pm - 4:30 pm. The Monroe Center does not handle any Family Law Matters.
- Are there any cases which the Center does not handle? Yes, Both Van Nuys and Monroe DO NOT handle Criminal, Immigration or Bankruptcy cases.
- Are appointments scheduled ? No, Both Centers are on a walk-in only basis.
- How will the Center help ? First, The Center works with the Guests. A staff person will review the situation. If it is necessary to fill out forms, the Center will give the Guest a set of forms appropriate to the specific case and show the Guest where to start filling in the blanks. The Guest will be acting as his or her own lawyer. This means that the Center and its forms facilitators cannot go to court on behalf of any of the Guests. If the case becomes complicated, the Center will give the Guest information on how to find a private attorney. However, a private attorney will charge a fee for his/her services.
- Who are conciliators or mediators? In some cases speaking with a person who does not know the Guest or the other person (called a conciliator or mediator) can help the Guest resolve the problem without going to court.
- Does it cost to speak to a conciliator? The Center has the name and members to conciliators who are free. The Guest can even call the conciliator using the Center's phone.
Questions? Email the Self Help Legal Access Center
Here are a few useful resources:
| Evictions & Landlord-Tenant | Family Law | Elder Law | Self Help Legal Center - Southern Univeristy of Illinois Law School | Self-Help Center - Champaign, Illinois | Law Links | links to Legal Resources | Updates