MONROE - County citizens can obtain free legal assistance this Friday for family court matters at the Green County Family Law Clinic.
The clinic allows residents who may not be able to afford legal counsel to receive assistance with many family court-related matters.
Participants will meet with attorney Dan Gartzke, who said he will provide help with anything from filing for divorces to making changes to child support payments or child placement to enforcing judgments to preparing documents.
"We make sure that everything is filled out fully and accurately," Gartzke said. "If you provide bad information, it's hard to make good decisions."
Gartzke said that, because so much of an attorney's work is based on filtering correct information, people unable to afford an attorney might submit improper forms on their own that cause delays and require more work.
"We're definitely serving the people," Gartzke said.
Gartzke said the clinic has been held every other month for about six years, with attorneys Peter Kelly and Dan Bestul also providing counsel at alternating clinics. However, Gartzke said he hopes that, if the clinic garners enough public interest, it can be held as frequently as every week, with additional attorneys volunteering their time.
Gartzke said three other attorneys have expressed interest in expanding the scope of the clinic.
Green County Clerk of Court Barb Miller said her office often refers people seeking legal assistance to the clinic but said she wants to make it more well known to the public.
"I think it hasn't been utilized as much as it could be," Miller said.
On average, however, the clinic tends to only attract one or two participants each session, Gartzke said, although he added that he is willing to spend as much time as necessary with a client during the clinic.
The clinic is held through the assistance of Green County Economic Assistance, which pre-screens applicants to ensure they have sufficient need for the program.
"The law can be very confusing and intimidating for people," Miller said. "I think that, if people can meet with somebody to talk them through the process, it can give them a sense that they can get through it themselves, too."
Gartzke said applicants should apply for this Friday's clinic - which will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Green County Economic Assistance offices at the Pleasant View complex - by Wednesday at the latest, so Gartzke can ensure there will be no conflicts of interest in his representation. Applicants can apply by calling the Economic Assistance office at (608) 328-9344.
The clinic allows residents who may not be able to afford legal counsel to receive assistance with many family court-related matters.
Participants will meet with attorney Dan Gartzke, who said he will provide help with anything from filing for divorces to making changes to child support payments or child placement to enforcing judgments to preparing documents.
"We make sure that everything is filled out fully and accurately," Gartzke said. "If you provide bad information, it's hard to make good decisions."
Gartzke said that, because so much of an attorney's work is based on filtering correct information, people unable to afford an attorney might submit improper forms on their own that cause delays and require more work.
"We're definitely serving the people," Gartzke said.
Gartzke said the clinic has been held every other month for about six years, with attorneys Peter Kelly and Dan Bestul also providing counsel at alternating clinics. However, Gartzke said he hopes that, if the clinic garners enough public interest, it can be held as frequently as every week, with additional attorneys volunteering their time.
Gartzke said three other attorneys have expressed interest in expanding the scope of the clinic.
Green County Clerk of Court Barb Miller said her office often refers people seeking legal assistance to the clinic but said she wants to make it more well known to the public.
"I think it hasn't been utilized as much as it could be," Miller said.
On average, however, the clinic tends to only attract one or two participants each session, Gartzke said, although he added that he is willing to spend as much time as necessary with a client during the clinic.
The clinic is held through the assistance of Green County Economic Assistance, which pre-screens applicants to ensure they have sufficient need for the program.
"The law can be very confusing and intimidating for people," Miller said. "I think that, if people can meet with somebody to talk them through the process, it can give them a sense that they can get through it themselves, too."
Gartzke said applicants should apply for this Friday's clinic - which will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Green County Economic Assistance offices at the Pleasant View complex - by Wednesday at the latest, so Gartzke can ensure there will be no conflicts of interest in his representation. Applicants can apply by calling the Economic Assistance office at (608) 328-9344.