The Hotline

Gateway to other services

The Hotline functions as a gateway to LASOC/CLS services including clinics, workshops, legal information and advice. Office appointments are made for clients that have complicated legal problems that require in-depth legal counsel and representation. To reach the Hotline, call: 

(800) 834-5001 or (714) 571-5200

Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday:  9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Hotline Services

To better serve our client community, Legal Aid Society of Orange County (LASOC), which serves all of Orange County, and Community Legal Services (CLS), which serves several cities in southeast Los Angeles County, have established a Hotline. The Hotline provides a centralized intake system for the entire service area of Orange County and southeast Los Angeles County and is a gateway to all of LASOC’s and CLS’ services. Under the supervision of attorneys, Hotline intake workers evaluate the callers’ needs and determine the services that the caller is eligible to receive to begin to solve their legal problems. Hotline callers receive a range of services including brief counseling on legal matters that are easy to identify, explain and resolve; an appointment in one of LASOC’s or CLS’ many legal clinics/workshops; or an office appointment in the appropriate local office.

Do-It-Yourself Bankruptcy

Click here For do-it-yourself Bankruptcy Forms.

Multi-lingual Services

Although many Hotline intake workers are bilingual, LASOC/CLS subscribes to Ethnic Bridge , which enables a translator to be conferenced-in, often in less than a minute.

I-CAN!™ Legal

For self-representing litigants, in need of a simple solution for filling out court forms, Legal Aid Society of Orange County created I-CAN!™ Legal.

I-CAN!™ Legal is a free online application that will fill out court forms for you by asking you simple quesions and putting your answers on the form in the correct place. I-CAN!™ Legal will also print instructions to tell you what to do with your forms, and how the court process works.

Depending on your state, I-CAN!™ Legal provides help wih the court forms for the following:

Divorce

Guardianship

Civil Harassment

Child Support

Paternity Petition

Name Change

Small Claims

Eviction

Notice of Motion

Order to Show Cause

Domestic Violence

Fee Waiver

Child Custody

Advanced Health Care Directive

Visit I-CAN!™ Legal today at www.icandocs.com!

Clinics and Workshops

Legal Aid Society of Orange County (LASOC) offers two types of self-help services: 1) workshops, which provide legal information and do not require you to be screened for eligibility, and 2) clinics, whic provide legal advice and require you to be screened for eligibility. These clinics are offered free of charge. 

Following is a list of the self-help services that are offered:

LEGAL INFORMATION WORKSHOPS – NO ELIGIBILITY REQUIRED

Conservatorship

LASOC’s Senior Citizen’s Legal Advocacy Program in collaboration with the Elder Law Clinic at Chapman University and the Orange County Superior Court hold a workshop on the first Monday of the month from 9:00-11:00 a.m. in Dept. L71 of the Lamoreaux Justice Center. Anyone with questions about conservatorships can attend the workshop. The clinics are free and open to the public and no appointment is necessary. Click here for address and directions.

Education

This workshop is held monthly and is for parents of children with “special needs” that have been identified and scheduled through LASOC’s Hotline. The workshops provide information to parents regarding their rights and responsibilities under The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The workshops also provide information to parents on when an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is appropriate and how to initiate the IEP process. The IEP process is designed to assist parents of children with disabilities and other problems within the education system. Click here for address and directions.

Compton Self-Help Assistance Center

This workshop is held daily at the Compton Superior Courthouse and is located on the 11th Floor, Room 1102. Hours of operation are as follows: Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and scheduled afternoon workshops. The Self- Help Center provides assistance with Divorce, Paternity, Name Change, Guardianship, Child Visitation, Evictions, Small Claims and Child Custody. The workshops are free and open to the public and no appointment is necessary. Click here for address and directions.

Small Claims Court Workshop - Preparing a Case

This workshop is held in English every Friday at 10:00 a.m. and in Spanish every Friday at 2:30 p.m. The workshops are free and open to the public and no appointment is necessary. For more information, call the Small Claims Advisory Program at (714) 571-5277. Click here for address and directions.

Small Claims Court Workshop - Collecting on a Judgment

This workshop is held every Tuesday from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. The workshops are free and open to the public and no appointment is necessary. For more information, call the Small Claims Advisory Program at (714) 571-5277. Click here for address and directions.

LEGAL ADVICE CLINICS – ELIGIBILITY REQUIRED

Bankruptcy

Chapter 7 bankruptcy clinics are held several times a month at the Santa Ana office and once a month in Southeast Los Angeles County, alternating between our Norwalk and Compton offices. In order to be scheduled for a bankruptcy clinic, clients must first call the Hotline to determine if they are eligible to be placed in the clinic. If you are considering filing bankruptcy, you should make a list of all of your creditors and debts prior to calling the Hotline. Once you are determined to be eligible to participate in the Clinic, you will be contacted and given an appointment for the next available clinic.

Divorce

Regular clinics to assist you with your divorce are held at the Anaheim, and Norwalk office. In order to be placed in the divorce clinic, you must call the Hotline and be screened for eligibility. Once you are determined to be eligible to participate in the clinic, you will be contacted and given an appointment for the next available clinic.  

Domestic Violence

Community Legal Services operates a Domestic Violence Prevention Program at the County Superior Courthouses in Compton and Norwalk. This program assists victims in obtaining restraining orders to protect themselves, their children, and other family or household members who may be in physical danger from a spouse or partner. Clients will also be assisted, if needed, in their effort to obtain child custody, child support, restitution, spousal support, or custody/control of property. You do not need an appointment however, once you arrive at the courthouse you will be screened for eligibility.

Family Law Case Assessment Clinic

The Santa Ana office hosts a case assessment clinic in many areas of family law on Thursdays during business hours. Placement in the clinic is reserved for eligible clients residing in our Santa Ana service area. Call our Hotline to see if you are eligible for this clinic.

Unlawful Detainer (Eviction)

For assistance with completing an Answer to an Unlawful Detainer, eligible clients may attend a UD Clinic held on Mondays at 9:00 a.m. at the Santa Ana office. In order to be scheduled for this clinic, you must first call the Hotline to be screened for eligibility. Click here for address and directions.

Call our Hotline to see if you qualify for one of our clinics:

(800) 834-5001 or (714) 571-5200

Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.