Legal Resources

Website: https://www.washingtonconnection.org/home/

Washington Connection offers a fast and easy way for families and individuals to apply for a variety of services such as Food, Cash, Child Care, Long-Term Care, and Medicare Savings Programs. Individuals that are age 65 or older, blind or disabled may also apply for medical assistance.
Benefits and Programs you can apply for: https://www.washingtonconnection.org/home/availablebenefits.go

identitytheft.gov

IdentityTheft.gov can help you report and recover from identity theft.

https://lawadvocates.org/
360-671-6079
1415 Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225

LAW Advocates provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals and families in Whatcom County. Get help with any civil law questions over the phone or in person. For up-to-date information regarding clinics and services call our office – (360) 671-6079 dial ext. 15. If you would like to speak with an attorney by phone call CLEAR – 1 (888) 201-1014, Monday-Friday from 9:15am-12:15pm.

“LAW Advocates provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals and families in Whatcom County. Get help with any civil law questions over the phone or in person. For up-to-date information regarding clinics and services call our office – (360) 671-6079 dial ext. 15. If you would like to speak with an attorney by phone call CLEAR – 1 (888) 201-1014, Monday-Friday from 9:15am-12:15pm.

https://lawadvocates.org/programs/

If you are a victim of a scam or have been taken advantage of by a lender, call CLEAR to talk to an attorney who will screen you for eligibility, may be able to offer you initial legal advice, and may refer you for assistance from a volunteer attorney. 1-888-201-1014 – CLEAR Hotline”

If you are a victim of a scam or have been taken advantage of by a lender, call CLEAR to talk to an attorney who will screen you for eligibility, may be able to offer you initial legal advice, and may refer you for assistance from a volunteer attorney. 1-888-201-1014 – CLEAR Hotline

https://law.seattleu.edu/centers-and-institutes/family-law-center/

206-398-4289

We Advocate + Educate. Find free legal help with:

Domestic Violence
The Family Law Center provides legal advocacy in domestic violence cases. Through our practicum, Center faculty and Seattle U Law students assist in the preparation, filing, and representation at ex parte hearings and return hearings for Domestic Violence Protection Orders. We have capacity to take cases during the semester and commit to seeing these cases through the return hearing even after the semester has ended. Students work under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney.

Family Law
We provide legal advocacy in dissolution and custody cases. Through our practicum, we assist in the preparation, filing, and representation for dissolutions and custody cases. We have capacity to take cases during the semester and commit to seeing these cases through temporary orders even after the semester has ended. Students work under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney.

https://www.whatcomcounty.us/306/Law-Library

360-778-5790

311 Grand Avenue
Courthouse Suite B-06
Bellingham, WA 98225

Hours of Operation: The Law Library is open to the public Wednesday through Friday 10 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Monday and Tuesday. Our hours are subject to change at short notice so you are encouraged to call ahead to make sure there is staffing.

Assistance to Library Users: Library staff cannot give legal advice or interpret materials, but can assist in locating and using legal research materials in print and electronic formats. Subscription Databases: The library provides free access to a wide range of WestLaw® subscription databases for legal research.

Public Access Computers & Copier/Scanner: Six computers are available to access legal research databases or work on legal pleadings. A photocopier/scanner is available for public use (cash only). Legal Research

The Law Library maintains a website of legal research links, including free sources for statutes, case law, and public records.

https://wa-wills.com/

(206) 203-1950

Assemble Law Group, PLLC
200 First Ave W, Suite 104
Seattle, Washington 98119

The free online library to help residents of Washington State draft their own last will and testament.

Write your own simple will and other basic estate plan documents with our free forms and instructions.

Look up the meaning of the legal terms you’ll commonly encounter on Washington Wills.

Browse answers to frequently asked questions about estate planning and Washington Wills.

https://www.dvsas.org/

360.715.1563

Mailing Address: 1407 Commercial St. Bellingham, WA 98225

With one-to-one support and advocacy counseling, DVSAS can help you plan for your safety, answer legal questions, connect you with services like housing and counseling, and stand by you as you recover and heal from domestic violence and sexual assault. 24 Hour Helpline: 360.715.1563

https://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/index.cfm?fa=newsinfo.displayContent&theFile=content/selfhelp

Find self-help resources on:

Consumer Protection
Criminal History
Divorce and Family Matters
Going to Court
Legal Assistance
Records
State Laws

https://worldrelief.org/western-wa/about-us/whatcom/
360-320-6407
805 W Orchard Dr Ste 5, Bellingham, WA 98225

World Relief’s Whatcom County location was approved by the U.S. State Department in September 2021. Shortly after the fall of Kabul and amidst many Afghans arriving to the U.S., our team began welcoming families in Bellingham and beyond.

Services in Whatcom:
Refugee Resettlement
Youth & Family Services
Immigration Legal Services
English Classes

Contact Us:
infowhatcom@wr.org
360-320-6407

Our Location:
805 W Orchard Dr Ste 5
Bellingham, WA 98225

https://cob.org/services/safety/police-services/reporting/identity-theft-tips
Bellingham City Hall, 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham, WA 98225

Find information for local groups you may want to contact if you are the victim of identity theft or fraud as well as helpful tips for proactive protection.

https://www.atg.wa.gov/senior-fraud

1125 Washington St SE, PO Box 40100, Olympia, WA 98504

Consumers lose billions of dollars each year to fraud. People over age 50 are especially vulnerable and account for over half of all victims, according to a study conducted by AARP. People who commit these types of crimes, “con criminals,” often target older people knowing they have spent a lifetime earning their savings. Con criminals go wherever they can to find money to steal. They use everyday tools—the mailbox, the telephone, the Internet—to reach into your pocketbook.

You can help educate your friends, parents, and others by becoming familiar with some of the more common scams and how they operate. Then share that information with others.

Find resources specific to protecting seniors from fraud and scams here.

https://www.atg.wa.gov/guardit.aspx
1125 Washington St SE, PO Box 40100, Olympia, WA 98504

Find resources to help:

PROTECT my personal information
RECOVER from identity theft or fraud and/or report a crime
IMPROVE security and privacy practices for my business or organization

LEARN about:
common scams
AGO initiatives
Data Security Breaches Affecting Washington Residents

ATTEND a free shredding event

https://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/about-fraud-watch-network/

The AARP Fraud Watch Network is a free resource for all. With AARP as your partner, you’ll learn how to proactively spot scams, get guidance from our fraud specialists, and feel more secure knowing that we advocate at the federal, state, and local levels to protect consumers and enforce the law.

If you’ve been targeted by scams or fraud, you are not alone. Our trained fraud specialists provide support and guidance on what to do next and how to avoid scams in the future. The AARP Fraud Helpline, 877-908-3360, is free and available to anyone. We also offer online support sessions for further emotional support.

Looking for resources in Spanish? Go to www.aarp.org/fraude

DisasterAssistance.gov resources: https://www.disasterassistance.gov/information/moving-forward/your-official-documents

https://nwjustice.org/clear-hotline
1-888-201-1014
401 Second Avenue S, Suite 407
Seattle, WA 98104

CLEAR (Coordinated Legal Education, Advice and Referral) is a toll-free legal hotline for people with low incomes.

Outside of King County, call the CLEAR Hotline at 1-888-201-1014 weekdays between 9:15 am – 12:15 pm.

In King County call 2-1-1. 2 1 1 is open weekdays 8:00 am – 6:00 pm. 2 1 1 will identify and refer you to the appropriate legal aid provider.

Seniors (age 60 and over) can also call CLEAR*Sr at 1-888-387-7111 (statewide)

Facing Eviction? Call 1-855-657-8387

Facing Foreclosure? Call 1-800-606-4819

Deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired callers can call CLEAR or 2 1 1 (or toll-free 1-877-211-9274) using the relay service of their choice.

2 1 1 and CLEAR will provide interpreters.

https://www.probonocouncil.org/dementia-legal-planning
1239 120th Ave NE, Suite J
Bellevue, WA 98005

If you are a Washington State resident and need help navigating the completion of dementia legal documents, you may be able to connect with a legal professional who will guide you through them. Attorneys can help talk through:

• Powers of attorney for finances and health care
• Health care directives
• Dementia directive form

This program serves those who are 60 and over, people living with dementia of any age, or those under 60 with a family history of dementia.

https://nwjustice.org/home
401 Second Avenue S, Suite 407
Seattle, WA 98104

Northwest Justice Project (NJP) provides free legal assistance to address fundamental human needs such as housing, family safety, income security, health care, education, and more. Our work challenges structural and racial inequities to promote the long-term well-being of low-income individuals, families and communities across Washington State. Learn about NJP’s racial justice commitments.

https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/

Self-help resources for many legal topics:
Family
House & Apartment
Work / Farmworker Rights
Personal Safety
Money & Debt
Planning Ahead / Seniors
Civil Rights / LGBTQ+
Emergencies & Disasters
Health
Immigration
Native American Issues
Public Benefits
Re-Entry, Criminal Records, LFO/Fines
Veterans
Youth Law & Education