Who Can Apply for Single Father Legal Aid

Good legal assistance can be expensive. If you are a single parent, it can be a challenge just to pay your regular bills, let alone be able to find the funds necessary to pay for legal advice or hire representation. Luckily, for those that live on a small income, help is available.

Government programs are available in all 50 states to assist with the cost, or cover the cost entirely, of legal aid. These programs are often thought to be only available to single mothers, but the reality is that they are available to anyone who meets their income guidelines.

What help is available will vary from one state to the next. Information about eligibility is generally available from the Department of Human Services or Social Services in your state. You can often find application forms to download, contact information for the agencies themselves and details about the additional programs they offer on their website.

The services they often offer will be everything from assistance with filling out legal forms or advice about obtaining child support from non-custodial parents. They can even assist with enforcing child support orders, including interstate child support enforcement if the other parent is residing in a different state. Many states also offer legal representation for free as well, should you need to attend court for any reason.

Being a single dad can be lonely and can often feel as if you are not respected or appreciated. This is because people almost always equate being a single parent with women. But the reality is that the numbers of single dads have increased substantially over the last couple of decades. Today there are as many as 3 million homes in the United States at any given time, being run by single men with children. All of these fathers need to remember that they are as equally eligible for the same assistance and protection that is offered to single mothers.

To address the other issues specific to the experience of a single dad, there are many organizations that offer support for these. These groups can provide answers about many issues, not just legal ones. They also help single fathers to meet others in the same situation as them. You can find the contact information for these groups online. Many of these organizations have local chapters which hold regular meetings around the country.

Find out more about the resources available to you. There are many types of legal aid available to fathers and mothers both. These services are often the lifeline for parents struggling to receive the child support they need or to get full custody when another parent is not living up to their responsibilities. Take the time to learn more today.