Community and State Resources
Other Avenues Offering Aid
Low Cost or Free Community Resources
ELCA Outreach Center
A faith-based center for families and individuals around Kenosha’s urban neighborhoods which offers basic necessities to the community free of charge. One of their programs is to offer free legal advice from a volunteer attorney for debt, family, landlord/tenant issues, and guardianship advice. To contact the ELCA or get involved with this program, call (262) 652-5545 or visit their website.
Legal Action of Wisconsin Racine Area Office
A non-profit law firm that seeks to ensure equal justice for low-income individuals and families. Eligibility is based on federal government’s poverty level, attorney availability, and the type of legal area involved. To apply, call Legal Action at (262) 635-8836 or (800) 242-5840, or visit their office at 4900 Spring Street, Racine WI 53406.
Tenant Resource Center (Madison)
A non-profit organization that maintains a state-wide hotline. To reach them, call (877) 238-7368 and leave a short message identifying your problem and when the best time is to return your call. NOTE: Due to staff limitations, you will only receive ONE call-back attempt.
Center for Drivers License Recovery and Employability
An organization that helps low-income residents of Milwaukee County obtain or reinstate their driving privileges. For information, call (414) 297-6407 from 9:00am-4:00pm, M-F.
Kenosha and Racine Mortgage Mediation Foreclosure Program
This program seeks to avert foreclosures through timely mediation between borrower and lender. There is a $25 fee to apply. For information, call (262) 653-2592 or email foreclosure@kenoshacounty.org.
Wisconsin State Bar Association Programs
Lawyer Referral Program
The LRIS may be able to refer you to a local attorney who will meet with you for up to a half hour at a cost of $20 or less. If your problem requires more than a half hour, you would have to retain that attorney at their quoted rate.
Modest Means Program
If your income is too high to qualify for free legal services but too low for lawyers’ standard fees, you might qualify for this program. Lawyers participating in this program have agreed to offer services at somewhat reduced rates.
Help for Military Personnel
Limited to active-duty military, veterans, and their families. If your income is below 125% of the Fed. Poverty Level, you might qualify for free representation. If it is above, you may be eligible for a discounted rate (like Modest Means.)
Lawyer Hotline
Volunteer attorneys answer callers’ questions on basic civil law issues on Wednesday evenings 5:00pm-7:00pm. Phone number (800) 362-9082.
Wisconsin Circuit Court Resources
Online Court Forms
By visiting the Wisconsin Court System website or by searching Wisconsin Circuit Court Forms anybody can access court approved forms. These forms have instructions in the margin, and often each category of forms has a prose (without an attorney) guide to the subject matter. There is a particularly useful instruction packet for divorces.
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access
Any Circuit Court Case in Wisconsin can be found using CCAP. At a minimum you will need the name (first and last) of the individual you want to look up. It helps to have more information, case numbers, what county you believe is involved, date of birth, etc. You can review the CCAP minutes and get a general idea of what is going on with the case.