Three Rivers Legal Services

Three Rivers Legal Services, Inc. is a non-profit law firm dedicated to the provision of quality legal assistance to the poor, abused, disabled, and elderly, and empowerment through preventive legal education. Our mission is to provide high-quality, free legal help to low-income families in seventeen counties with three offices and a staff of 50, including 24 attorneys. We offer a variety of services, including housing law, family law and domestic violence prevention, elder law, education law, and income and public benefits issues. We also provide specialized services to veterans, homeowners facing foreclosure, and low-income taxpayers.

Our History

Our story began in 1964 when President Lyndon Johnson declared a War on Poverty and later that year, Congress passed the Economic Opportunity Act. It provided the initial federal funding for the provision of a nationwide system of help for the poor. Programs such as Head Start and Job Corps were part of that Act. Legal services were also included in the effort to end poverty. As President Johnson stated, "To a great many poor Americans, the law has long been an alien force. The Legal Services Program was created to give the poor the same access to the protection of the law that more fortunate citizens have. It is a weapon in our comprehensive attack on the root causes of poverty."

In 2023, Three Rivers Legal Services celebrates its 45th Anniversary of providing free, civil legal services to North Florida's low-income and vulnerable populations. We have a proud history, a story which actually began in 1964. We have accomplished and grown so much, served so many people, and grown such deep roots. We have a dedicated staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to provide quality legal assistance to those who need it most.

Our Services

We provide a variety of services to help our clients navigate through the legal system. Our services include:

• Housing Law: We help clients with issues related to housing, such as evictions, foreclosures, and landlord-tenant disputes.
• Family Law and Domestic Violence Prevention: We assist clients with family law issues, including divorce, custody, and child support, as well as providing support for victims of domestic violence.
• Elder Law: We provide legal assistance to seniors, including issues related to wills, estates, and long-term care.
• Education Law: We help clients with education-related issues, such as special education rights and school discipline.
• Income and Public Benefits: We assist clients with issues related to public benefits, including Social Security, Medicaid, and food assistance.
• Veterans Services: We provide specialized services to veterans, including assistance with veterans' benefits and military discharge upgrades.
• Foreclosure Prevention: We help homeowners facing foreclosure by providing legal advice and representation.
• Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic: We provide free legal help to low-income taxpayers who are in disputes with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Community Education and Outreach

We believe that education and outreach are essential components of our mission. We provide legal information and education to groups through community outreach programs. Our staff and volunteers participate in community events, seminars, and workshops to educate the public about their legal rights and available resources. We also collaborate with local organizations and community groups to ensure that our services reach those who need them most.

How We Work

Our offices can be reached by calling our toll-free Legal Helpline: 1-866-256-8091. We provide high-quality, free legal help to individuals as well as legal information and education to groups. We concentrate on providing services in areas where there is a high need for legal assistance, including housing law, family law and domestic violence prevention, elder law, education law, and income and public benefits issues. We also offer specialized services to veterans, homeowners facing foreclosure, and low-income taxpayers.

Partnerships and Collaborations

We work closely with many pro bono lawyers and law firms to expand our ability to provide free legal advice and representation to eligible persons in northeast and north central Florida. We collaborate with local organizations, community groups, and government agencies to ensure that our services reach those who need them most.

Contact Us

If you are in need of legal assistance, please call our toll-free Legal Helpline: 1-866-256-8091. Our staff is ready to help you navigate through the legal system and provide you with the support you need.