Free legal clinic for seniors returns to Fort Myers

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Nov. 13, 2023 - PRLog -- A Fort Myers-based legal nonprofit is hosting a free limited legal advice presentation on adult guardianships at the downtown library Thursday.

Law at the Library is a quarterly conversation sponsored by Lee County Legal Aid Society with support from AARP Foundation. The next session is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Fort Myers Regional Library meeting room, 1651 Lee St., Fort Myers 33901.

A panel of three local attorneys will discuss the guardianship process: Lisa Gelman of the Martin Law Firm; Beth Prather of Green Schoenfeld & Kyle; and Amy McGarry, followed by an audience question-and-answer session and 20-minute individual appointments on any legal issue.

Advance registration is required. Participants should email Nanci@leecountylegalaid.org with contact information, a brief description of the legal advice being sought, and any relevant documents.

"Civil legal aid is absolutely essential to level the playing field for those who don't have the individual resources to hire private counsel," said Andrew Banyai, Legal Aid Society's executive director. "We welcome the opportunity to again focus our community outreach on issues of elder law with the generous support of AARP Foundation."

Unlike in criminal law, there is no constitutional right to counsel in civil law, which includes landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosures, evictions, probate, debt collection, child custody cases, domestic violence orders of protection and more.

Law at the Library follows a similar series of free legal workshops "Just for Seniors" offered Lee County Legal Aid Society in prior years through support from The Community Foundation.

For more information on Lee County Legal Aid Society, visit leecountylegalaid.org (https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=Nmh...) or call 239-334-6118.

About Lee County Legal Aid Society

Founded in 1967, Lee County Legal Aid Society is a private, nonprofit organization that provides no-cost civil legal aid to low-income residents of Lee County. The organization helps narrow the access to justice gap among those who cannot afford a private attorney in civil cases. In partnership with the Lee County Clerk of the Court, Lee County Legal Aid Society offers free, 20-minute "self-help" legal clinics that pair attorneys in private practice with those in need of legal services. Unlike in criminal law, there is no Constitutional right to counsel in civil law, which includes landlord-tenant disputes, foreclosures, evictions, probate, debt collection, child custody cases, domestic violence orders of protection and more.