New 家庭 Law Assistance Network Opens During Crisis
新成立的 家庭 Law Assistance Network (FLAN), a partnership between the D.C. 酒吧公益中心, 华盛顿平价澳博app事务所, and the Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia, offers free legal advice or representation in family law cases. Originally conceived as a project to provide in-person services at D.C. 高等法院, the partners quickly shifted gears with the onset of the public health crisis, working with the Court to provide services remotely until in-person services resume.
To address urgent family law matters during the pandemic, FLAN于3月27日开幕, 为患有D的人服务.C. 监护权, 孩子的抚养费, 血统, and divorce cases through a dedicated phone line and email referrals from the 家庭 Court Self-Help Center and other legal services organizations. FLAN has fielded 80 requests for assistance and limited scope representation since opening in April, 帮助像Ms这样的客户. R.
Ms. R called FLAN’s help line seeking immediate assistance resolving 监护权 visitation issues, which had become more complicated when the court’s supervised visitation site closed because of the pandemic. A 公益性服务 Center staff attorney discussed different negotiation strategies and solutions, as well as the path she would need to take to resolve this through the court. In addition, the attorney advised Ms. R on her ongoing service issues including how to request an extension from the court. The FLAN attorney equipped Ms. R with the immediate information and resources she needed to protect her rights and ensure a safe and workable visitation agreement for her children.
FLAN attorneys are fielding calls daily, drafting emergency pleadings, and appearing in remote court hearings on behalf of pro se litigants. D的支持.C. 酒吧 members helps the 公益性服务 Center provide D.C. residents the legal services and representation they need to weather the pandemic. While the 公益性服务 Center is not physically open during the crisis, our staff is working tirelessly to help our neighbors in need navigate the legal system remotely.
