LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Southern Nevada Senior Law Program provides free civil legal services to seniors 60 and older. They say the most urgent matters they help with most often are end-of-life planning, referrals for elder abuse and exploitation, and eviction notices.
Executive Director Diane Fearon says that providing seniors with those services for free is crucial, saving them hundreds and even thousands of dollars.
Anyssa Bohanan spoke to some of the legal professionals about the work they do.
"We don’t income qualify, and what that allows us to do is not only render our legal services at no cost to those seniors who are low income and might qualify for a poverty program, but also that estimated 35-40% of seniors who are on a tight, fixed income," Fearon said. "They make too much money to qualify for a poverty program, but not enough money to hire an attorney."
In 2024, the nonprofit was able to help more than 2,500 seniors with direct legal services.
Earlier this month, they launched the new Ask-A-Lawyer Program that's aimed at taking those services directly to those who need it most in the community.
From now through September, a Senior Law Program attorney will visit five community centers across the Valley once a month to provide one-on-one consultations with seniors.
Seniors will be able to schedule 30-minute appointments to discuss issues like estate planning, housing disputes, scams, public benefits and more.
Anyssa Bohanan checked back in on the program after a few sessions to see the progress being made.
Chelsea Crowton, a supervising attorney at the nonprofit, has been to each of the Ask-A-Lawyer events since they began earlier this month. She says the top three legal issues they hear about the most from Valley seniors are estate planning, consumer disputes and elder exploitation.
She had the following advice when it comes to speaking with an attorney at the Southern Nevada Senior Law Program about these issues.
When discussing estate planning, you'll want to have the following:
- Full legal names of any and all heirs
- Heir's basic contact information, including their phone number
If you're planning to discuss elder abuse and exploitation, you should be prepared to provide the following information:
- The scope of the exploitation
- Who is involved
- If there have been any signed, executed documents giving them authority over life, including bank accounts or powers of attorney
And if you're having issues with a consumer dispute, attorneys will need to know the following:
- Any contracts that may have existed
- Full contact information for any company or individual
- Proof of any amount paid
Crowton says that, so far, the Ask-A-Lawyer Program has been a success.
"Our seniors are so grateful," she said. "I'm hoping we get more and more people and we do this every year because the more people we can help in the senior community, the better."
If it's determined that more help is needed after the appointments, attorneys will then be able to schedule follow-up appointments at the Southern Nevada Senior Law Program's offices.
Those appointments will take place at the following locations:
- MLK Senior Center
2420 N Martin Luther King Blvd, Building B - North Las Vegas, NV 89032
Every first Thursday of the month - West Flamingo Senior Center
6255 W Flamingo Road - Las Vegas, NV 8910
Every second Wednesday of the month - Downtown Senior Center
27 E. Texas Avenue - Henderson, NV 89015
Every third Tuesday of the month starting April 15 - Doolittle Community Center - Adult Center
1930 N. J. Street - Las Vegas, NV 89106
Every third Tuesday of the month starting April 17 - Cora Coleman Senior Center
2100 Bonnie Lane - Las Vegas, NV 89156
Every fourth Wednesday of the month, starting April 23
"An attorney can cost $300 - $400 an hour, even just to have a consultation," said Gemma Nazareno, senior staff attorney at Southern Nevada Senior Law Program. "Our seniors that come here are very appreciative of the fact that we’re able to do the legal work for them for free."
Appointments are required. Seniors are encouraged to contact their local center's program coordinator to schedule a consultation.
You can book in-person, phone or Zoom appointments through the Southern Nevada Senior Law Program by visiting their website here, or calling 702-229-6596 . Their offices are located at 7690 W Sahara Avenue.
