About Us
The Legal Aid Society is a century+ Milwaukee institution with an enduring reputation for providing quality, free civil legal services to eligible Milwaukee County residents. Our mission and our passion is equal justice for all and ensuring that the justice system works for everyone, not just those of means.
Legal Aid provides a lawyer to Milwaukeeans facing legal challenges on matters including, but not limited to, housing security, health and wealth, consumer law, and community redevelopment. We provide our clients with affirmative legal services that enable them to redevelop their communities from within through business creation, wealth preservation and management, and removal of impediments to personal and professional growth. We represent children at risk in our community through our Guardian ad Litem division located at the Vel R. Phillips Youth and Family Justice Center and at our downtown Family Court division in partnership with Milwaukee County.
Legal Aid knows Milwaukee and Milwaukee knows Legal Aid. We’ve been serving this community for over 100 years and we will continue to do so with both innovative and traditional legal services that assist residents in bettering their lives today.
We are here to help you navigate the legal system with compassion and care.
What we do
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EvictionFree MKE is a program of the Legal Aid Society that provides eviction defense to tenants served with an eviction summons and complaint.
Go to the intake link to evictionfreemke.org or call our intake specialists at (414 )892-RENT (7368).
Legal Aid also provides pre-eviction services, particularly regarding notices to quit or cure, conditions of the residence, lock-outs, and security deposits.
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Legal Aid Society Milwaukee represents people in Milwaukee County who are faced with consumer debt lawsuits or contract issues including:
- Garnishments
- Debt collection lawsuit
- Student loan issues
- Auto financing fraud
- Repossessions
- Identity Theft
- Medical Debt
- Car purchase issues
Legal Aid does not practice in the areas of debt collection or personal injury.
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Legal Aid's Health & Wealth team represents individuals in matters involving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) over payments and appeals . The Health & Wealth team also represents individuals in estate planning matters involving Wills, Health Care and Financial Powers of Attorney (POAs), and Final Disposition wishes. The Health & Wealth team engages in work at the intersection of civil and criminal legal work involving pardon applications.
Please contact Legal Aid at 414-727-5300 to get help with these issues.
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Legal Aid’s Community redevelopment team focuses on the 53204 and 53206 neighborhoods. Our neighborhood lawyers connect with residents where they live to provide legal services around matters involving housing security, business development, health and wealth matters, and much more.
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Since 1970, the Legal Aid Society has provided guardian ad litem (“GAL”) representation primarily for at risk children. Our Children’s Court attorneys represent children in guardianship cases, children in need of protection or services (“CHIPS”) and children in termination of parental rights (“TPR”) matters. A GAL represents the interest of children in these cases, not the interest of either parent.
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The Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee, Inc. handles Chapter 7 bankruptcies for some low-income debtors. Many types of debts can be eliminated in a Chapter 7. This type of bankruptcy is particularly helpful to avoid a garnishment for working debtors.
Legal Aid does not do Chapter 13 bankruptcies. This type of bankruptcy helps those who are behind on mortgage or car payments to get caught up. It involves paying on delinquent debts using payroll deductions. Chapter 13 bankruptcies are very complicated and last 3-5 years.
Qualifications
Clients must be eligible under the applicable federal poverty guidelines
Clients must be residents of Milwaukee County
Intakes, not involving eviction or GAL work, are conducted by our receptionist at (414) 727-5300 Monday - Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm
Our Locations
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Legal Aid/Community Advocates Building
728 N. James Lovell St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233 -
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611 W. National Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53204