No one wants to be in trouble with the law, or be on the receiving end of a lawsuit. But, life does not always go according to how we would like it, and sometimes we find ourselves in that unfortunate situation of having some unexpected legal woes. And, as if it could not get any worse, you may find that you just might not be able to afford the services of a big time lawyer to represent you.

When all of this strikes, all at the same time, it can be daunting, overwhelming, and make you feel at a complete loss. But you need not feel that way. Yes, it is tragic, but there are solutions. If you find that you cannot afford the overly-expensive lawyer, and dread the thought of being assigned public counsel, your best option is to look up community legal services Philadelphia.

• What Are They?

Community legal services Philadelphia, or anywhere else, are an organization, usually located in a larger city. They are there specifically for those who find themselves in a legal situation, and they cannot afford any representation of their own. These organizations offer that otherwise unattainable legal representation, at little to no fee whatsoever, because they believe that it is more important for people to get fair and equal coverage under the law, than it is for lawyers to be able to buy a yacht.

This is not the same thing as pro bono work that some law firms do. The lawyers in community legal services Philadelphia do actually get paid, just not through those whom they represent. The salary is all taken care of, so both lawyer and defendant can focus completely on the case at hand.

• What Do They Do?

Community legal services include virtually anything that you would end up going to a low court for. Virtually all of their cases fall under what is known as tort law. This can include, divorces, paternity, custody, employment issues, food stamps and other public benefits, social security, housing, and much more.

• Where Do You Find Them?

As mentioned above, any major city is going to have some form of community services for those in need. Obviously, smaller towns and communities will need to travel to said cities in order to receive the services, but there is always some form of representation nearby. If you do not know where to start the search in your area, you can always find a community legal services directory to point you in the right direction. Whether it is online, or from the local courthouse, they are bound to have someone who can help you.

So, if you feel that avalanche of stress tumbling down, if you are served papers and find that you cannot afford a lawyer to plead your case for you, now you know that there is another solution. No, it is not representing yourself. Look into community legal services, no matter where you are, and your case just may go better than anticipated.