FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need to come in to an intake?
What documents should I bring to intake?
What type of cases do you take?
What should I do if I suspect someone is a victim of domestic violence or a violent crime?
HOUSING QUESTIONS
How can I get Housing Counseling?
What documents should I bring to a Housing Counseling session?
Can I get help if I'm in foreclosure?
Can I receive counseling if I am buying a house?
Is your agency certified, and by whom?
Are your housing counselors certified?
Is your service free of charge?
Do you have Housing Workshops?
Q. Do I need to come in to an intake?
A. We are unable to answer legal questions online or over the telephone, therefore you will need to come in person to one of our intake sites for legal advice and assistance. If you are disabled and cannot come to an intake site, please call our office at: 260-456-8969 ext.311.
Q. How do I become a client?
A. Please start the process by coming to an intake site to speak to one of our staff or volunteer attorneys. You may pick from any of the sites and times listed on our intake schedule. After you have received information at intake, your case will be referred to a staff or volunteer attorney for further disposition, if accepted. You will receive a letter after intake, either confirming that your case has been accepted and containing instructions for how to contact your attorney for the next appointment, or that it has been rejected and giving you information referring you to additional resources when possible.
Q. What is an intake?
A. Intake is when you go to one of our regularly scheduled times and places listed in our intake schedule, where you will speak with a staff or volunteer attorney about your legal problem.
Q. What does this cost?
A. Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic does not charge clients for legal advice. If your case is accepted, you may have to pay court costs if applicable in your case.
Q. What documents should I bring to intake?
A. Please bring all documents related to your case such as: court pleadings, correspondence from an attorney, government agency, bank, mortgage company, or other person related to your case, medical records documenting the illness if related to your case, etc. Also, bring information related to your weekly, monthly or annual income so we can determine if you qualify for our service since we only serve low income persons.
Q. How long is the process?
A. Our goal is to inform you whether we are able to take your case, within two to four weeks following your intake.
Q. What type of cases do you take?
A. We accept cases in a broad civil practice area. See our Client Services page for more details. We do NOT accept divorce or criminal cases.
Q. What should I do if I suspect someone is a victim of domestic violence or a violent crime?
A. Call 911 if anyone is in danger or 211 to find information about area domestic violence shelters.
HOUSING QUESTIONS
Q. How can I get Housing Counseling?
A. Call our office at (260) 456-8969 ext.311 to schedule a pre purchase housing counseling session. If you are delinquent on your mortgage, are concerned about being delinquent in the future, or have a landlord/tenant issue, please come to an intake session. Housing Counseling is currently only available at our Indianapolis office.
Q. What documents should I bring to a Housing Counseling session?
A. Please bring all documents related to your case such as: court pleadings, correspondence from an attorney, government agency, bank, mortgage company, or other person related to your case. If you are coming for pre-purchase housing counseling, please bring information about your financial situation such as bank accounts, income, expenses, etc.
Q. Can I get help if I'm in foreclosure?
A. Yes. We would very much like to help you. If you have not already been referred by the Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network or the 877-GET-HOPE toll free line, please come to one of our intake sites.
Q. Can I receive counseling if I am buying a house?
A. Yes. We would be happy to help you prepare to buy a home and avoid predatory lending. Please call our office at (260) 456-8969 ext.311 for an appointment. Housing Counseling is currently only available at our Indianapolis office.
Q. If I am not buying a house and am not in foreclosure, can I still receive housing counseling for budgeting and credit purposes?
A. Yes! Please contact our office at (260) 456-8969 ext.311 to make an appointment. Housing Counseling is currently only available at our Indianapolis office.
Q. Is your agency certified, and by whom?
A. Yes. Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic is a HUD certified Housing Counseling Agency and an IRS designated Low Income Taxpayer Clinic. All of our staff and volunteer attorneys have passed the Indiana Bar and are licensed to practice in Indiana .
Q. Are your housing counselors certified?
A. Yes, our counselors are certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Q. Is your service free of charge?
A. Yes. Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic does not charge for attorney time. If you need a tri-merge credit report or if there are court costs that cannot be waived in your case, you will be expected to pay those costs.
Q. Do you have Housing Workshops?
A. Yes. Please contact our office at (260) 456-8969 ext.311 for more information. Housing Counseling is currently only available at our Indianapolis office.
Q. Are you attorneys?
A. Yes. We have 8 staff attorneys and more than 100 volunteer attorneys who work with Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic who have passed the bar and are licensed to practice law in Indiana.