Legal Help

Free legal information and advice for Idaho Seniors

• Please call our Statewide intake number: 208-746-7541

To find more information about Idaho laws and ways to help yourself:

• Contact your local Court Assistance Office (CAO). There are many forms, instructions, and/or videos that you can use as a legal resource.
• Go to the CAO website to download forms, instructions, and/or videos. 

 http://www.courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/

To find a pro bono attorney:

• Call the Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program
              (208) 334-4510
                      -or-
              1-800-221-3295
• Write the Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program
              IVLP
              P.O. Box 895
              Boise, ID 83701-0895

To find a private attorney:

• Call the Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service
              (208) 334-4500

If you have any questions about a lawyer, call the Idaho State Bar, (208) 334-4500

IDAHO LEGAL AID RECEIVES $1,440 GRANT

Idaho National Laboratory, on behalf of Battelle Energy Alliance, awards funds to Idaho Legal Aid Services to help support low-income Idaho seniors.

Idaho Falls, Idaho (January 9, 2017)

Idaho Legal Aid Services is pleased to announce that its Idaho Falls office has received a $1,440 grant from the Idaho National Laboratory on behalf of corporate funds from Battelle Energy Alliance to provide free legal services low-income seniors in need. This support will help seniors in our communities to maintain safety and stability as they grow older. 

As they advance in age, many low-income seniors rely on social services such as Medicaid and Social Security to make ends meet. High quality legal advice is crucial to the health and safety of seniors who depend on these services. Improper advice, such as quit claiming property, establishing a living trust, or paying family members for providing care can make seniors ineligible for social services, force them to live in unsafe conditions, and prevent them from accessing necessary health care. Additionally, drafting a will can establish clear intentions for the use of a senior’s property and can prevent potential harassment and exploitation. Finally, many seniors benefit from preparing an advanced directive that addresses health care or financial affairs. This can prevent the need for an expensive guardianship and conservatorship and provide them with greater stability should they lose competence. 

Idaho Legal Aid Services has years of experience providing these types of services to seniors in need. However, due to a lack of funding, we have been forced to turn several people away. With support from Idaho National Laboratory on behalf of Battelle Energy Alliance, we will be able to serve more seniors in need. 

On behalf of our staff, attorneys, and clients, Idaho Legal Aid Services would like to extend a huge thank you to Battelle Energy Alliance for seeing the value in our mission, helping us expand our services to help more low-income seniors in need, and for making our communities and state and even better place.  

We plan for many important events in life. We plan for retirement, a wedding, vacations, and for a child’s education. Sadly, the health choices that are made at the end of life are seldom planned and many times they are made for us. Decisions are put off and desires are not expressed because it is difficult to contemplate or discuss death.

There are many things to plan for at the end of life. Transfer of property and the well being of a spouse or child are all issues to be considered and planned for. However, the topic discussed here involves end of life health care issues, the importance of living wills, and advance directives. The principle way to ensure that your desires are fulfilled if you are no longer able to communicate your wishes is through a Living Will.

This video explores the questions many of us may have about Medicaid and how it can help pay for long term care costs. If you are unsure about how Medicaid works, what it can cover, who can qualify, or similar questions, this video may benefit you. 

En español

Free legal information and advice for Idaho Seniors

• Please call toll-free: 1-866-345-0106
• or if you reside in the Boise calling area: 345-0106
• or en Español: 1-866-954-2591

All of the Idaho Legal Aid Services' (ILAS) offices provide the following kinds of help for seniors:

• Medicaid eligibility (Miller Trusts)
• Medicare
• Marriage settlement agreements
• Guardianship for senior adults or grandchildren of seniors

Depending on time and staff availability, the offices may also help with the following:

• durable powers of attorney
• wills
• consumer issues and protection
• probate (between spouses)

In order to be eligible, you must be:

• over 60 years of age

Some exceptions are:

• If ILAS does not have enough resources and/or staff to help, they may not be able to take the case.
• income and asset limits may not apply if a caregiver is seeking help for a relative or friend

Contact your local ILAS office for more information.