On Monday, July 21, volunteer attorneys will be giving residents free legal advice from 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

The event, dubbed Pro Se Day, is open to residents in need of help with legal issues including: wills, power of attorney preparation, guardianships, name changes, estate and property, as well as traffic tickets, child support, evictions and divorce.

When Yashiba Blanchard was elected as the presiding judge of the Jefferson County Probate Court, she promised residents that the court would be there to help.

“We do this because we saw that there was a need. Citizens have complained that they don’t have the monetary means to hire lawyers,” Blanchard said. “Jefferson County Probate Court really wants to resolve the needs of the residents and we want to help out in whatever way we can.”

Pro Se, pronounced “pro say,” is a legal term meaning individuals who are representing themselves in court.

Since the launch of the monthly event in April, more than 50 community members have received free legal help, saving them each hundreds to thousands of dollars in legal fees.

“We’ve made a positive impact in regards to assisting the residents of Jefferson County,” Blanchard said.

On the day, residents will be directed to the ninth floor of the courthouse where they will be matched with an attorney who can assist them.

Residents should bring any documents that may help the attorneys better understand their situation.

“These attorneys give them a better understanding of the complexities involved in the legal actions that they’re trying to pursue,” Blanchard said.

“We initially set out to just focus directly on probate issues, but we have expanded it to all areas of law.”

Blanchard said she hopes residents will take advantage of the opportunity.

“We know that residents out there in Jefferson County that have legal issues might not have the funds to hire an attorney, and this is an opportunity for them to get their questions answered and potentially get those pro bono lawyers to stand in place with them in court to get their legal issues resolved,” Blanchard said.

“I just want them to know that they’re not in this alone, that’s what the courts are for. We’re there to provide services for the residents of Jefferson County.”

Click here to sign up to receive free legal advice at Pro Se Day.