LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A North Coast nonprofit is expanding its legal offerings to focus on seniors in Lake and Mendocino counties.
Legal Services of Northern California began offering the new services at the start of the year in order to fill the void left by the closure of the Lakeport-based Senior Law Project.
The Senior Law Project, which had provided free legal services to seniors in Lake and Mendocino counties, closed after 30 years as a result of the retirement of its prime mover, Lakeport attorney Andy Rossoff.
Angelica Millan, managing attorney at Legal Services of Northern California's Ukiah office, said the organization had collaborated with the Senior Law Project and Rossoff on a number of issues critical to the poor and the senior community.
Millan said Legal Services of Northern California has always provided services to the senior community in the areas of housing, public benefits and health.
Now, people over age 60 will be able to get information and advice on consumer rights and senior scamming, debt collection, advanced health care directives, planning for incapacity and elder abuse, Millan reported.
Millan told Lake County News that her organization won't be opening a Lake County office. She said Rossoff had indicated to them that he did most of his work over the phone.
Instead, they are working out arrangements with local nonprofits to use their office space to meet with senior clients in person, and also to allow seniors to use fax machines when needed.
Millan said the reactions from local groups regarding those requests for the use of space and office equipment have been positive.
For more information contact the Legal Services of Northern California Senior Law Project at 707-462-1471 or toll-free at 877-529-7700.
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