Florida Rural Legal Services Explained
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that has provided high-quality civil legal aid and pro bono services to those in need since 1966. Currently, it is one of the largest legal aid organizations in the state, serving over 50,000 people in 17 Southwest Florida counties. Its mission is to "promote self-sufficiency and empower people to achieve long-term solutions to their basic legal problems . " Florida Rural Legal Services is the only organization in Southwest Florida that combines a pro bono panel, a low-income client panel, migrant farm worker outreach, and legislative advocacy into one unified organization. The organization is able to handle a wide variety of cases, including all of the following: Florida Rural Legal Services is located at 3615 Central Avenue in Fort Myers. There is a second office location, as well, located in Naples.
What Legal Services Are Available in Fort Myers
In Fort Myers, Florida Rural Legal Services provides a comprehensive array of legal services to aid those in rural Southwest Florida. Their dedication to the residents of Collier, Hendry, Glades, Lee, and Sarasota counties has created a robust network of services for the underserved communities.
Family law matters comprise a large portion of the services provided at FRLS in Fort Myers. The dedicated staff and pro bono attorneys provide representation in domestic relations cases including divorce, child issues, paternity, child support enforcement, domestic violence injunctions, as well as in appeals. However, they do not handle adoption matters, guardianship, juvenile dependency or delinquency cases or name changes.
The housing department staff assists abuse victims with eviction defense, landlord/tenant disputes, and homelessness prevention. They also represent individuals in tenants’ rights litigation and defense against mortgage foreclosures.
Employment assistance provided includes representation of workers in unemployment compensation appeals. FRLS staff also represents migrant workers with wage claims and assists with Department of Labor Administrative Review issues.
Public benefits representation includes welfare eligibility issues, food stamp or SNAP issues, as well as Medicare enrollment and Medicaid eligibility. Staff also provides representation in attendant care and durable medical equipment issues and assists in accessing supportive services programs such as homemaker services or home health aide services. FRLS does not provide representation for appeals of certain benefits.
Other programs at FRLS include the Senior Law Program which offers seniors outreach, education, and advice programs. Other population courts provide legal assistance to domestic violence and homeless victims.
Who Is Eligible and How to Apply for Legal Aid
Florida Rural Legal Services (FRLS) offers a unique and dedicated approach to address the significant legal needs of low-income individuals and families in Fort Myers and Charlotte County. The criteria for receiving legal help from FRLS include: Once deemed eligible, clients can apply for assistance to FRLS through online intake, or by phone – if English is not your first language, you may be asked to call a local intake partner agency that speaks Spanish. The application process for Florida Rural Legal Services in Fort Myers involves a brief interview. The staff will gather pertinent information about your legal situation and determine your eligibility during this call. If you are eligible for assistance, staff will collect the necessary details to begin assisting you with a South Florida attorney on your issue.
Success Stories and Contributions to the Community
Over the years, Florida Rural Legal Services has concluded several impactful cases that highlight the importance of their work in the Fort Myers area and beyond. One such case involved the resolution of a landlord-tenant dispute that had persisted for over a year. The client, a single mother with two young children, was facing eviction due to a minor rent payment delinquency. FRLS intervened and worked with the property owner to negotiate an extended payment plan as well as to reduce the late fees charged, providing the family with the breathing room they needed to recover their financial footing. The property owner was also appreciative of the resolution, as it saved them from costly and time-consuming court proceedings.
Another notable case was that of an elderly couple who had spent over a decade trying to establish clear title to their home. The property had initially been purchased at a tax deed sale, but there remained a lack of clear title to the property due to several legal snags and miscommunications with the county clerk’s office. FRLS was able to unravel the complex chain of title and successfully reposition the couple as the rightful owners of the property , securing their home for their retirement years.
In addition to individual case studies, the overall impact of FRLS’s work can be seen in the community at large. By providing free access to legal counsel, they have been successful in reducing the number of evictions, helping a wide variety of individuals secure employment, obtaining government benefits on behalf of the clients, and assisting with the establishment of much-needed local programs to aid those experiencing homelessness. Moreover, FRLS has fostered collaborations between local organizations to bring greater awareness to social issues and create a comprehensive network of resources throughout the area.
These examples are just a few of the many instances where Florida Rural Legal Services has made a meaningful difference in the lives of Fort Myers residents and surrounding communities. Through their dedication and relentless efforts, FRLS continues to be a vital asset in improving the quality of life for those they serve.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Florida Rural Legal Services works hand in hand with a number of organizations in Fort Myers to ensure that their services are effectively delivered to the community. One of the key partners of Florida Rural Legal Services is the Lee County Bar Association, which helps them to access different legal and social service resources in the area. Through the partnership, both organizations are able to provide additional legal clinics and workshops to the community with a specific focus on family law and domestic violence matters.
Another organization that Florida Rural Legal Services partners with is the Lee County Clerk of Court, which provides seamless services to clients who are in need of legal resolution services for a variety of family law issues. Florida Rural Legal Services is also a partner program of the National Center for Farmworker Health – a comprehensive database of migrant farmworker resources (health and otherwise) in the United States that is regularly updated and maintained to ensure the accuracy of its contents.
Contact Information and Locations
Florida Rural Legal Services can be reached directly for inquiries and consultations in their Fort Myers office. The main office is located at 2154 Kenilworth Boulevard, Suite 101, Fort Myers, Florida 33901. A general phone number for Frisco provides a connection: (239) 334-4554. Walk-in hours are 9 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday, although appointments are strongly encouraged, and may be required depending on the personnel and nature of the legal issues involved .
A coordinate office location also exists at 1501 Maya Palms Drive, Suite 110, Punta Gorda, Florida 33950. This site provides local accessibility to many of our existing clients in the Charlotte County area. Again, it is highly advisable to call ahead to ensure a meeting with a staff attorney who can assist with your needs. The number for the Punta Gorda office is the same as for Fort Myers, (239) 334-4554. Note that specific office hours may vary from the aforementioned schedule.