Disaster legal services available
Comet staff report

Free legal advice and referrals are available for anyone affected by the January and February storms and flooding in 21 disaster-designated counties including Carroll, Cass, Tippecanoe and White.

The Indiana State Bar Association offers Disaster Legal Services to individuals who, for financial reasons, are unable to secure legal services adequate to meet their disaster related needs.

Persons in presidential disaster declared counties may ask disaster-related questions about insurance claims, home repair contracts, consumer protection matters, landlordtenant concerns, mortgage foreclosure or debt collection problems. Advice or referrals are also provided on replacing wills, drafting powers of attorney and other important legal documents damaged or lost in the flood.

A caller's specific complaint or need will be forwarded to a volunteer attorney who is an expert in that branch of the law. If researching a legal problem is necessary, the expert will find an answer and get back to the caller.

No member of the volunteer attorney group will accept feegenerating cases. The services are authorized only to assist in resolving certain issues arising out of the disaster.

To schedule an appointment,

call the Indiana State Bar Association referral service at (800) 266-2581. Office hours are Mon. through Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.