Guardianship Assistance

The agency provides legal services assistance for low-income people in Los Angeles County. Services include certificates/forms assistance, conservatorship assistance, consumer law, criminal record expungement assistance for victims of human trafficking, general legal aid, guardianship assistance, labor and employment law, landlord tenant assistance, legal counseling, legal representation, patient rights assistance, and will preparation assistance. There are no geographic restrictions.

The program assists with a wide range of legal needs including consumer fraud, loan fraud, holocaust restitution, labor and employment, nursing home issues, welfare rights, patients' rights, and legal health care problems.

It does not consider criminal defense, immigration matters, divorces or cases that private attorneys will accept on a contingency basis.

Services include information, legal advice and counseling, assistance with forms and in-person representation if needed. The agency also coordinates with the city of West Hollywood to provide legal services for low-income people who live in the community, and operates an advocacy program for nursing home residents and their families.

Criminal record expungement assistance is available for victims of human trafficking. Under California law, cleared offenses may include prostitution, criminal trespass, disorderly conduct, loitering and simple possession of a controlled substance. The law applies to certain convictions that occurred as a result of being trafficked, from anywhere in the state, regardless of the date of occurrence.

The agency also publishes a list of legal resources in Los Angeles County which may be purchased and used by agencies for legal referrals. The Legal Referral List for Los Angeles County contains information about agencies which provide legal information, advocacy, counseling and representation in different areas of law such as domestic violence, AIDS/HIV, conservatorships and guardianships, dispute resolution, education, employment, housing, family law and personal injury. It is designed to be used by agencies which may need to refer people for these services. The list is a collaborative effort of Bet Tzedek, Dispute Resolution services of West Hollywood and the L A Free Clinic.