Chinese Information and Service Center, Asian Bar Association of Washington, and Asian Counseling and Referral Service partner with the King County Bar Association to provide a free legal clinic. Pro bono attorneys work with staff and volunteer interpreters to give consultation and legal advice around family law, immigration law, landlord-tenant disputes, employment law, and other areas. As of 9/2024, most consults are virtual but in-person appointments may be available if needed (more information provided to clients during intake phone call). Call (206) 957-8544 for an appointment. Appointments are typically Tuesdays, 5:30-7:30 PM. International District Legal Clinic Chinese Information and Services Center 611 S Lane St. Seattle, WA 98144

Services are provided by trained professional mediators who volunteer their time. Services include: - Face to Face Mediation - Coaching for problems - Some simple negotiation over the telephone TYPES OF PROBLEMS THE CENTER WILL HANDLE: - Divorce mediation - Parenting Plan mediation - Neighborhood problems (noise, pets, parking, lawn & garden, property line problems and other nuisances) - Landlord-tenant issues (deposits, repairs, damages, etc.) - Real estate or personal property - Business consumer problems (faulty merchandise, refunds, exchanges, etc.) - Employer/employee grievances - School problems involving faculty or administration, students or parents - Family issues such as problems related to divorce and parenting plans - Other domestic problems not involving violence or other factors that require professional intervention or assistance TYPES OF PROBLEMS NOT HANDLED: Any problem requiring legal assistance, such as filing lawsuits (criminal defenses, will preparation, etc.); issues involving drug/alcohol abuse, domestic violence, abuse to children, or issues where one or more parties fears abuse; or problems where a party cannot speak adequately on their own behalf, although can work with clients who have a case manager. Other Services Provided: - Offers workshop of varying lengths to organizations, businesses, and groups on a range of topics including: conflict resolution, negotiation, communication, conflict styles, and dealing with difficult people. - Victim Offender Meeting Program: Brings together victims of juvenile crime with the offenders to talk about the impact of the crime and for the youth to make amends. - Assists senior citizens to resolve disputes with family members, businesses, landlords, neighbors and others through mediation. - Parent Youth Mediation Service: Allows parents and teenagers or pre-teens to sit down together to talk about how things are going within the family and develop agreements on behaviors, level of independence, respectful communication and consequences. Co-mediators assist the mediating parties.

Provides comprehensive rental and ownership housing counseling services, certified by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Counseling services address topics of delinquency and landlord/tenant mediation; and financial planning and pre-purchase. Also provides general information about HUD-subsidized programs, insurance and fair housing. Additionally, offers a foreclosure prevention program that combines mortgage, reverse mortgage and pre-foreclosure counseling, stabilization loans and repayment plans, to help low-income families in danger of losing their homes. Rather than being forced into a sale by the mortgage holder and thus forfeiting their equity, program offers borrowers two alternative options: avoiding default by working through a repayment plan to stay in their home, or gaining enough time to sell their homes on their own terms. Provides foreclosure mediation services as part of the Foreclosure Fairness Program.

Services are provided by trained professional mediators who volunteer their time. Services include: - Face-to-face mediation - Conflict coaching for problems - Some simple negotiation over the telephone TYPES OF PROBLEMS THE CENTER WILL HANDLE: - Neighborhood problems (noise, pets, parking, lawn & garden, property line problems and other nuisances) - Landlord-tenant issues (deposits, repairs, damages, eviction prevention due to COVID, etc. ) - Real estate or personal property - Foreclosure mediation - Business consumer problems (faulty merchandise, refunds, exchanges, etc. ) - Employer/employee grievances - School problems involving faculty or administration, students or parents - Family issues such as problems related to divorce and parenting plans - Other domestic problems not involving violence, restraining orders, or other factors that require professional intervention or assistance. TYPES OF PROBLEMS NOT HANDLED: - Any problem requiring legal assistance, such as filing lawsuits, criminal defenses, will preparation, etc. - Issues involving drug/alcohol abuse, domestic violence, abuse to children, or issues where one or more parties fears abuse - Problems where a party cannot speak adequately on their own behalf, although can work with clients who have a case manager. All clients must be able to keep agreements made

Hosts a legal clinic specifically designed to address the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals and couples. This clinic is run by QLaw Foundation in partnership with the King County Bar Association. The clinic is open to everyone regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. At the clinic, an attorney will meet with clients for 30 minutes and provide individualized legal advice and information. Clinic attorneys will answer questions and provide information in a variety of areas including family law, immigration, debt and bankruptcy, divorce/dissolution, employment discrimination, and transgender legal issues.

Provides HUD-approved housing counseling services, which include no-cost guidance on buying a home, defaults, foreclosures and credit issues. Offers pre-purchase counseling which helps families identify and overcome barriers to homeownership and refers to programs which assist in overcoming those barriers. Facilitates the 5 hour First-Time Homebuyer Workshop which helps participants understand advantages and disadvantages of homeownership, steps in the process, financing options, the loan qualification and closing processes, and financial planning around purchasing a home.

Provides information and referrals in regard to legal matters such as family law, housing issues, access to government benefits, access to medical care and benefits, education rights, employment issues (primarily for agricultural workers), tribal law, and consumer related issues such as bankruptcy, debt collection, or fraud.

Program offers education and counseling to connect home buyers of all income levels to information and resources needed. Also providing counseling and assistance in linking home buyers to a variety of different down-payment assistance programs and home loans.

Provides confidential, free mortgage counseling sessions to help homeowners facing foreclosure understand their options. Counselors discuss available options for curing a client's delinquent home loan and creating an action plan for successful home ownership.    Assists with multiple issues including:   -  Short sales -  Modifications -  Repayment plans -  Deed-in-lieu of foreclosure -  Forbearance   -  Bankruptcy

Operates a legal clinic providing a free 30-minute consultation with an attorney (60 minutes if an interpreter or other accommodation is needed) Clinic is open to all, but particular focus is on providing culturally-informed legal services in a safe and welcoming environment to individuals who identify as African American or Black. This clinic is staffed primarily by attorneys of color. Clinic attorneys can: -  Determine whether the client has a legal problem -  Suggest possible options -  Help answer papers, summons and requests -  Provide appropriate referrals   Neighborhood Legal Clinic attorneys may not have expertise in all areas of the law, but they will make every attempt to answer questions accurately. Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.

Provides information and referral to down payment assistance programs, credit and debt counseling, predatory lending counseling, special loan programs, Washington State Housing Finance Commission-sponsored first time home buyers' seminars, as well as other home buyer education opportunities. Also provides education and referral to homeowners in danger of foreclosure (including tax lien foreclosure), foreclosure timelines, and process of homeowner's rights. Referrals can be made to Legal Aid, HUD-approved housing counseling agencies, and other related services.

Provides financial planning, first time homeownership counseling, and classes to help people manage their finances. Provides the following: Financial Credit Counseling, Budgeting, Money Management Coaching, Money Management Workshops, Bi-Merge Credit Reports & Scores, First Time Home Buyer Classes, Mortgage Assistance Referrals, Homeownership Counseling, Foreclosure Counseling & Assistance, Business Workshops (Starting & Expanding Your Own Business), Business Start-Up & Expansion Funding, Business Mentor Program, Free Tax Preparation Assistance, Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Information, Money Cents Classes, Youth Money Management, Youth Entrepreneurship (Business) Workshops, and Funding Your Higher Education.

Mediation is one way that people can resolve their conflicts and still maintain or improve the quality of the relationship with the other person. In a family, a business environment, or in small towns, this can be especially important.   What you can expect in a mediation session:   Trained certified mediators to guide you through the mediation process and the expectation of the mediation   To keep the communication productive and focused on the issue the mediator will outline what it means to mediate in good faith   Time to tell all parties your story, how you feel, and how you would like to resolve the issues   Time to listen and hear the other parties’ stories, how they feel, and how they would like to resolve the issues   Work together to outline a list of items you would like resolved   Talk to each other and come to mutually agreeable solutions    Design your own settlement agreements that are long lasting   Mediation sessions can last up to 3 hours, and parties can schedule multiple session based on their own needs.    Parenting Plan Creation and Parenting Plan Modifications In the state of Washington, parents are required to have a "Parenting Plan" before a judge will grant a divorce.  In Mediation the parents can work together in the best interest of the children, work through historical issues, and work towards healthy communication and respectful relationship.  Additionally, parents will have the opportunity to design their parenting plan that looks to the future; identifying potential changes in their lives: i.e. new partners, residential transfers, children's changing needs.    When parents' communication is ineffective, children suffer in school, in peer relationships and in self-esteem. Unresolved conflict is expensive.   Business Mediations are an effective and efficient process to help resolve employment disputes. A neutral mediator can assist parties in reaching a voluntary, negotiated agreement. Choosing mediation to resolve employment disputes promotes a better work environment, reduces costs and brings satisfaction for both the employer and the employee.   According to Halvorson Human Resources, the cost of turnover ranges from approximately 3 months pay for an hourly worker to $145,000 for a hi-tech employee.  Conflict is expensive.  PDRC offers the following meditations: Family, Divorce, Parenting Plans, Foreclosure, Neighborhood, Workplace, Business, Landlord/Tenant

Provides free 45-minute to 1-hour appointments with an attorney for advice on civil legal issues such as: consumer, finance/debt, employment, housing, benefits. Appointments are required. Clinics are currently telephonic. Attorneys at the clinic are not able to provide representation.

Provides legal information and advice for the following issues depending on attorney availability:   -  Auto accidents - Birth injuries -  Consumer law - Criminal defense -  Family law -  Finance -  Immigration -  Landlord-tenant law -  Medical negligence -  Personal injury -  Property law -  Worker's rights/wage claims

Operates legal clinics providing free 30 minute consultations with an attorney. Focus is on Korean and Korean-speaking clients. Clinic attorneys can: -  Determine whether the client has a legal problem -  Suggest possible options -  Help answer papers, summons and requests -  Provide appropriate referrals   Neighborhood legal clinic attorneys may not have expertise in all areas of the law, but they will make every attempt to answer questions accurately. Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.

InCharge Debt Solutions is a national non-profit credit counseling agency offering confidential budget counseling, debt management, housing counseling, bankruptcy counseling and financial education programs to consumers, including military personnel serving overseas.

Provides education, information, and referral on housing issues, along with financial assistance for homebuyers and homeowners. Services include homebuyer education classes and workshops, financial education, pre- and post-purchase counseling, foreclosure counseling, down payment assistance, renter information, and guidance on maintaining and repairing a home, including home repair loans. Classes are held monthly at Columbia Gorge Community College in Hood River and The Dalles. The program also keeps the public informed about housing trends in the Mid-Columbia region using current statistics.

Offers families pre- and post-purchase homebuyer education classes with a complete curriculum that includes credit repair, financial literacy, budgeting, mortgage affordability, home maintenance, loan packaging, and loss mitigation. Housing Counselors are bi-lingual in English/Spanish.

Provides legal information/advice, assistance and representation for low and moderate income homeowners threatened with foreclosure of their primary residence. Assists with judicial and non-judicial foreclosures.    May provide assistance with: -  Loan modifications (RMA assistance and negotiation with mortgage lender) -  Mediation, which may include referrals and representation -  Litigation

Provides home ownership services to help people better afford and keep a home of their own. Program offers homebuyer counseling and down payment assistance to people with disabilities. Also offers foreclosure prevention counseling to struggling homeowners with or without disabilities. Counselors look over the documents, help the homeowners understand their options and talk to the lenders to try and work out payment arrangements.

Offers comprehensive financial counseling services including: - Budget and debt management. - Debt repayment strategies. - HUD-approved mortgage, delinquency, and default resolution consolidation. - Home purchase guidance. - Bankruptcy counseling and post-bankruptcy counseling. - Student loan counseling.

Provides information for Washington residents about homeownership, buying a home, foreclosure prevention, refinancing and avoiding homeownership scams and fraud. Provides links to homeownership preparedness courses, counselors and more. Printed materials also available for download or to order online.

Foreclosure intervention services offered by our HUD Certified Housing Counselors provide critical support to homeowners facing the risk of losing their homes. These services include personalized counseling sessions to assess the homeowner’s financial situation, explore available options, and develop an actionable plan to prevent foreclosure. Housing counselors act as advocates, mediating between homeowners and lenders to negotiate loan modifications, repayment plans, or forbearance agreements. They also provide education on rights and responsibilities, ensuring that homeowners are fully informed about their choices. By addressing the root causes of financial hardship and connecting individuals to additional resources, foreclosure intervention services aim to stabilize families, preserve homeownership, and prevent community displacement.

Operates legal clinics providing free 30 minute consultations with an attorney on debt and bankruptcy issues. Volunteer bankruptcy lawyers meet individually with debtor clients who are considering or have already applied for bankruptcy as well as those who need assistance with other debt issues. Assists Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 litigants. Clinic attorneys can: - Determine whether the client has a legal problem - Suggest possible options - Help answer papers, summons and requests - Provide appropriate referrals Clinic attorneys are specialized in areas of debt and bankruptcy law. Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters. To apply for an appointment: Fill out the online Client Intake Form on website. Those who cannot use the client intake form may call and leave a message with name, phone number, and a brief description of their legal issue.