Frequent Questions

What is Legal Services of North Florida (LSNF)?

LSNF is a private, non-profit corporation funded for the sole purpose of providing free civil legal services to low-income, eligible clients in sixteen counties of North Florida.

What kinds of legal problems does LSNF handle?

LSNF provides a full range of civil legal help in such areas as:

Consumer - repossession, collection abuse, small loans, sales contracts, unfair sales, credit problems;

Housing - landlord/tenant problems, eviction, foreclosure, housing code violations;

Income Maintenance - Social Security, SSI Disability, welfare (WAGES), Food Stamps, Unemployment;

Family - domestic violence, divorce, adoption, child custody; and Wills & Probate.

LSNF cannot assist with criminal matters, traffic tickets and personal injury.

Am I eligible for help from LSNF?

If your income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, you may be eligible for assistance from LSNF. Eligibility is based on household income, the number of people in the household, and assets available to the household. Also the types of cases that can be accepted are limited by the Board of Directors based on funding and resources. Services are provided free to eligible persons and groups. However, in some cases, the client must pay certain costs such as court costs or sheriff's fees.

How do I apply for services?

If you think you have a legal problem and might be eligible for free assistance from LSNF, you should go to the LSNF office closest to your residence to obtain the necessary application for assistance. Applications are reviewed each week. Applicants will be notified by letter as to the status of their request for assistance within one week. If you have a family, consumer, or landlord tenant matter, you may also call the Telephone Legal Advice Hotline at (850) 385-0029 for more immediate assistance.

Where do I go to get help from LSNF?

SERVICE OFFICES

LSNF maintains offices in Fort Walton Beach, Quincy, Panama City and Tallahassee.

Go to the Fort Walton Beach office if you live in Okaloosa or Walton county.

Go to the Quincy office if you live in Calhoun, Gadsden, Jackson, or Liberty county.

Go to the Panama City office if you live in Bay, Gulf, Holmes, or Washington county.

Go to the Pensacola office if you live in Escambia or Santa Rosa County

Go to the Tallahassee office if you live in Franklin, Leon, Jefferson, or Wakulla county.

SERVICE CLINICS

LSNF conducts several clinics to help clients. Go to any clinic that is located nearest your residence for your specific legal problem.

TALLAHASSEE

LSNF Night Clinic is held at 2119 Delta Blvd from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. seventeen times annually. Call (850) 385-9007 to ask for the next night clinic time and make an appointment.

Small Claims and Landlord Tenant Clinic is held at the Traffic Court on Thomasville Rd. (across from ABC Liquors) from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Call LSNF at (850) 385-9007 for more details.

Homeless Clinic is held at the Tallahassee Homeless Shelter on Tennessee St. and Hope Community.  Call LSNF at (850) 385-9007 for more details.

Senior Citizen Intake Clinics are held at the Old Armory on N. Monroe every Wednesday from 11:00 to 2:00 p.m.  Call LSNF at (850) 385-9007 for more details.

CRAWFORDVILLE

Senior Citizen Intake Clinics are held at Wakulla County Senior Citizen Center on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month.  Call LSNF at (850) 385-9007 for more details.

PANAMA CITY

First Saturday Legal Clinic is held at the Florida State University Campus from 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. each first Saturday of the month. Call LSNF at (850) 769-3581 to schedule an appointment.

What will happen when I call?

When you call our offices, a receptionist will ask you a few brief questions about your legal problem, your income and the income of other members of your household. If it appears that you may qualify for services, the receptionist will direct you to come to our office to obtain the necessary applications for assistance.

What will happen when I talk to someone about my legal problem?

When you come into the office to see an attorney, you will first have to fill out an application for services. If you are interviewed over the telephone, an intake assistant will complete the application with the information you provide.

After you complete the application it will be reviewed by a case acceptance committee to determine your eligibility for our services. If you qualify, you will receive a letter from one of our attorneys, paralegals or legal intern directing you to contact us to make an appointment.