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Settlement Workers Guide to Identifying Your Client's Legal Needs: Difference between revisions
From Clicklaw Wikibooks
Settlement Workers Guide to Identifying Your Client's Legal Needs (view source)
Revision as of 21:48, 28 March 2014
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::''“Our landlord told us we had to leave right away. If we don’t leave by next week he’ll call the police.”'' | ::''“Our landlord told us we had to leave right away. If we don’t leave by next week he’ll call the police.”'' | ||
You can explain that there are rules for tenants and landlords and show them | You can explain that there are rules for tenants and landlords and show them what information is available online, what brochures they can get and where they can find others who can help with more information or legal advice. | ||
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::''“My husband says he wants a divorce and I have to move out.”'' | ::''“My husband says he wants a divorce and I have to move out.”'' | ||
You can explain that family law has rules for couples who are separating and divorcing. Help her | You can explain that family law has rules for couples who are separating and divorcing. Help her find family law information online or give her some booklets. You can explain where she can get legal advice. | ||
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A client asks about getting a credit card. Perhaps they have questions about how long it will take to pay off a card if they only pay a little, which is not a legal issue. However, if the client says: | A client asks about getting a credit card. Perhaps they have questions about how long it will take to pay off a card if they only pay a little, which is not a legal issue. However, if the client says: | ||
::''“I need a new credit card because the one I have now won’t work anymore. The collection company is sending me letters.”'' | ::''“I need a new credit card because the one I have now won’t work anymore. The collection company is sending me letters.”'' | ||
This is a problem that the law can help with. You can explain that this is called | This is a problem that the law can help with. You can explain that this is called consumer debt and show them where they can get information and tell them where they might go for more help. | ||
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::''“I showed up for work yesterday and my boss fired me for no reason.”'' | ::''“I showed up for work yesterday and my boss fired me for no reason.”'' | ||
Now this has become a legal issue. You can provide | Now this has become a legal issue. You can provide general information about employment law and where to get more help. | ||
Once you recognize that your client has a legal issue, it helps to describe it as a legal topic. | Once you recognize that your client has a legal issue, it helps to describe it as a legal topic. | ||
