Utah Legal Services handles civil cases for those who qualify for our services. We can answer questions, give advice, prepare legal documents, and represent clients in court and before administrative agencies. We cannot assist you in any criminal matter (including traffic violations.) Click the following link for information about internet resources and free legal clinics.

ULS employs about 20 attorneys and 20 paralegals, statewide. However, there are over 300,000 people in Utah who are financially qualified for our help. Therefore, our extended services are generally limited to the following types of legal problems:

• FAMILY PROBLEMS
  • Assistance in acquiring a protective order when there is violence or abuse by a spouse or cohabitant
  • Representation in a divorce proceeding where violence or abuse are a factor (In a few counties, we receive contract funds to provide help with a divorce even when there is no violence or abuse.)
  • Defense of the proposed ward in a guardianship proceeding (we do not initiate guardianship petitions)
  • Help acquiring a child custody order for the non-custodial parent when there is independent proof of abuse or neglect by the custodial parent/guardian
• PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
  • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Social Security Disability benefits
  • Food Stamps
• HEALTH BENEFITS
  • Medicaid
  • Child Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • Medicare
  • Utah Medical Assistance Program (UMAP)
• HOUSING
  • Evictions and lock-outs
  • Home foreclosure
  • Habitability and repairs
  • Problems with federally subsidized rentals
• SENIOR CITIZEN ISSUES
  • Selected consumer problems, such as defense against erroneous collections actions or unfair sales practices
  • Social Security retirement benefits, denials, and overpayments
  • Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap) policies (we cannot help you shop for the "best" policy but we may be able to help with a claim or benefit problem)
  • Living Wills
  • Limited assistance with estate planning

For NATIVE AMERICANS and MIGRANT FARMWORKERS, we have specialized staff who are experienced in Ute and Navajo tribal law as well as the unique legal problems of farmworkers.

We can often provide limited advice, referral and/or written materials on many other topics, including:

• Consumer problems such as "bad checks" and bankruptcy
• Unemployment compensation and wage claims
• Custody and visitation problems; child support; name change
• Tenants' rights such as the lawful method to demand repairs from your landlord
• Unemployment compensation
• Small Claims Court
• Writing a holographic will

If you are unsure if your situation qualifies for our assistance, feel free to call and we will evaluate your circumstances.