Access to Affordable Legal Advice is Easier then You Think in Fort Collins
Community, Dan Harmon’s American television sitcom, features a character named Jeff Winger, a sly talking shameless lawyer who is commonly wearing expensive clothes and driving a new Lexus. It is this kind of media which creates a misconception about lawyers. Rather than being viewed as experts in their field, attempting to help the public get out of tough situations, lawyers are seen as greedy individuals who work purely for their own benefit. This, however, could not be more untrue in the real world. Attorneys do need to charge a retainer, which can cost the client anywhere from $100 to $300 dollars per hour of work in Fort Collins, as they are a specialist at their job. The other option is a flat cost which can charge a client anywhere from $10,000 or more depending on the area of law the case is. These are numbers which many citizens can simply not afford. However, there are many services and firms located in Fort Collins which work to ensure that these legal fees are affordable for any client.
Nicol Gersch Petterson
Nicol Gersch Petterson, a law firm located in Fort Collins, recognizes that access to justice is imperative in today’s society of a global pandemic as well as high unemployment rates. To prove this, the firm, along with many other firms in Fort Collins, are proud to present three different finance options to help the public receive high quality legal services for rates they can afford. Oleg V, a former client, described his experience with the cost of legal fees at Nicol Gersch Petterson saying, “Brandi is very sensitive to the impact of the cost her legal services have on her client’s finances. Her personal integrity is uncompromising and truly refreshing.”
Internal Financing Option
The internal financing option grants the client interest-free financing through a recurring payment system with either debit, credit, or automated clearing house. On top of this, the client can choose between weekly, bimonthly, or a monthly payment plan to aid in the stress of paying off legal fees.
Long-Term Financing Option
For some clients, the internal financing option was still too much stress on themselves as well as their bank accounts. To help these clients, the firm partnered with a third-party vendor. This vendor gave the firm the ability to charge low and affordable monthly payments. As long as the client makes at least $40K with one year of work experience and a credit score above 600, it is likely they will qualify. A cosigner is not required and the financed amount can either be full or partial. The first payment is due after 30 days, allowing the client to have time to get their finances together.
Third Party Help With Payment
The last option for clients who need assistance with legal bills is third party help with payment. This option allows family members and/or friends to use the previous two options to help the client pay off the legal fees. With this payment option, the client is still the one in charge of the legal defense as there is still a confidentially agreement, regardless of who is paying for the legal defense.
Where to Go
1205 W Elizabeth St unit k, Fort Collins, CO 80521
Larimer County Pro Bono Program
The Larimer County Pro Bono Program takes this even further by working with the citizens of Fort Collins and Loveland to find private attorneys who will work pro bono. The program works to refer individuals who meet the financial need requirements to participating agencies or lawyers who are willing to work on a volunteer basis. The Larimer County Bar Association, the organization which runs the pro bono program, describes themselves as “a professional association for lawyers in Larimer County, acting as the local extension of the Colorado Bar Association.” These connections ensure clients that they are getting the best legal services possible.
How to Know if You Are Eligible
Bring last years tax return along with three months of paystubs or bank statements and based on the current Federal Poverty Guidelines and it will be determined if your financial situations meets the requirements. If your case is under the legal areas of bankruptcy, criminal, workers compensation, social security or personal injury cases this service will be unavailable to you.
Where to Go
Wednesdays at 12 p.m at Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Avenue, 4th Floor, Fort Collins.
Colorado State University Student Legal Services
Colorado State University allows both full and part time students access to the Student Legal Services (SLS). Students pay for this through their tuition, meaning that when it comes time to using their services, it is in most cases already paid for. Free services include notarizations under five pages as well as appointments with attorneys. Students will need to pay $50 dollars individually and $80 as a couple for aid with estate planning, including wills and power of attorney. SLS works to give students the best way to represent themselves in the often small matters that are brought, after through advising. The SLS attorneys describe this as a way to “help you to help yourself” to ensure that each student is protected legally.
Where to Go
While characters in Community only know Jeff Winger as the greedy lawyer, he clearly does not represent the legal services that are available in the Fort Collins community. From completely free services through the Larimer County Pro Bono Program and Student Legal Services to payment plans through Nicol Gersch Petterson, legal services are something that is now affordable even for those in the worst of financial positions.
