GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. — A low-cost program that went away during the COVID-19 pandemic is making a comeback in Clay County. It's helping people understand the intricate parts of probate and family law, without breaking the bank.
The 'Low Bono Law Program' is a way to “help people who need [help with] some [of] the less complicated issues related to like legal matters, divorce, child custody, those type of things where they just need some basic legal advice and don't really want to pay you know, full price for attorneys,” said Tara Green, the county’s elected clerk and comptroller.
From filing a divorce to fighting for child custody, the program is offering affordable legal assistance for families going through these cases, as the only requirements are that you live in Clay County and don’t already have a private attorney.
"It is hard to navigate it by yourself and someone just sitting down and explaining, you do need this form, you don't need that form," said Attorney Jessica Montenegro Skapetis. "I mean, half of the packet most people don't even need because it includes everything. So, it's hard to navigate yourself and so, that's why we're here. I can in 30 or 60 minutes, at least let you leave knowing what you're supposed to do next."
Skapetis partners with the Clay County Clerk of Courts office to help lighten the load her neighbors are going through.
"The entire process again, can be incredibly overwhelming," Skapetis told First Coast News. "It's emotional having someone that you can meet with without going through a giant financial burden. At least for that first meeting and through the Low Bono Law Program, I will lighten their load, so to speak. People come in to see us with these heavy burdens on top of them. I wanna make sure my kids are safe. I wanna make sure that I'm financially able to move on with my life."
The Low Bono Law Program isn't only coming back from its hiatus from the pandemic, but is coming back better than before.
"We asked our IT department to take a look at some scheduling programs to simplify it, not only for the individuals who want to use it, but also for the attorneys so that they can set the days and the times that they're available because we wanna work with them," said Clerk Green. "They're doing this in partnership with us and match that to what the needs are of the community and when they need to come in and what type of cases."
Any resident in Clay County can get up to two hours of low-cost legal help on any probate or family law case.
Attorneys around the county are volunteering their time with the clerk of courts to offer an affordable way for people to get their papers in line prior to their court date.
“They're not necessarily doing it, I don't believe, to make the money, they're doing it to help the constituents as well," Green said. "So, they're in it for the same reasons we are."
Green told First Coast News the program can make the process of going through a divorce or other family law matters less intimidating and more affordable.
“You could go get a private attorney. I would say a fee maybe anywhere from $200 to $500 an hour to help with some just basic forms and filings and petitions where here and again, we're fortunate that we have good partnership with our local attorneys. Our services that we offer through them are $50 for a half-hour and $80 for an hour,” said Green.
From asking questions to getting a basic understanding of the court system to ensuring all documents are in line prior to their court date, the Low Bono Law Program is designed to make entering the courthouse less intimidating.
“My most important priority is that they get the services that they need from this office. Even if it's through a partnership with third party, you know, attorneys, they get what they need so they can, they can satisfy or, close out any family matters that they may have and they can just move on with their lives,” Green said.
Clay County is one of the few counties in the state that offers this program run by volunteer attorneys. To see if your case qualifies, learn more here.