Programs
Senior Law Project
Senior Law Project
Marion-Polk Legal Aid Service, Inc. (MPLAS) provides civil legal services any senior (age 60 or over) residing in Marion or Polk County regardless of income level. Any type of legal problem may be discussed, but not all are accepted for representation. The Senior Law Project advises mostly on basic wills, powers of attorney, advance directives, consumer issues, nursing and foster home issues, guardianship and conservatorship defenses, and Medicaid and Social Security issues.
Seniors can come directly to the main office in Salem during regular intake hours, go to the Independence office during regular intake hours, or attend one of the monthly senior clinics at the following locations:
Dallas Senior Center
955 Jefferson
Dallas, OR 97338
Opal Ladbury, Director
(503) 623-8554
Even numbered months, third Monday of the month, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Keizer-Salem Area Senior Center
930 Plymouth Drive NE
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 390-7441
Betty Berg, Board President
First Monday of the month, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Monmouth Senior Center
180 S. Warren
Monmouth, OR 97361
(503) 838-5678
Sue Teal, Director
Odd numbered months, first Friday of the month, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Salem Senior Center
1055 Erixon Street NE
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 588-6303
Zack Page, Coordinator
Last Tuesday of the month, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
West Salem Senior Clinic
Kingwood West Apartments
1945 Salem-Dallas Highway NW
Salem, OR 97304
(503) 588-1573 (afternoons only)
Linda Jennings, West Valley Housing Authority, Coordinator
(503) 623-8387, ext. 17
Second Wednesday of the month, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Woodburn Senior Clinic
Woodburn Community Center
491 N Third Street
Woodburn, OR 97071
Susan Fofana-Dura, City of Woodburn, Project Director
(503) 982-5255, Fax (503) 981-6471
Third Wednesday of the month, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Seniors may contact the clinics directly for appointments. However, for the West Salem and Woodburn Clinics, call MPLAS directly for appointments at (503) 581-5265, extension 26.
If seniors are shut-in or living in skilled or intermediate care facilities and cannot apply in person for MPLAS' services, please call MPLAS directly for a "home" visit. Please allow several days for arrangements.
The Senior Law Project is funded partly by the Legal Services Corporation and also by a grant from the Mid-Willamette Valley Senior Services Agency.
ELVIS Lives at Marion-Polk Legal Aid
ELVIS (Emeritus Lawyers Volunteering In Service) is a volunteer lawyer program which gives retired attorneys an opportunity to keep working in the law without sacrificing retirement. To become an ELVIS attorney, you must have at least 15 years membership in a state bar association and be a current member of the Oregon State Bar. You agree to donate a minimum of 40 hours per year to help legal services offices meet the needs of the low-income community in your local area.
ELVIS volunteers at Marion-Polk Legal Aid Service, Inc. (MPLAS) staff all five of MPLAS' monthly senior clinics. Clinic sites are in Salem, West Salem, Dallas, Monmouth, and Woodburn. ELVIS provides advice and counsel to all eligible seniors who attend the clinic. A typical ELVIS caseload is basic wills, powers of attorney, advance directives, Medicaid and Medicare issues, guardianship and conservatorship issues, and consumer issues.
ELVIS volunteers also serve senior clients who are "shut-in" or living in skilled or intermediate care facilities and cannot come to the clinics or an MPLAS office. Volunteers also help mentor new staff attorneys and with screening applicants for service.
There are always opportunities available for any eligible attorney interested in volunteering. MPLAS would like to open senior clinics in Keizer, Grand Ronde and Stayton and more volunteers are needed. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Mr. Michael Keeney at (503) 581-5265, extension 17, or email carla@mplas.org.
Pro Se Program
Pro Se is another way to say "do-it-yourself." MPLAS provides instruction for "do-it-yourselfers" for both divorce and custody. You must apply for service so an attorney or paralegal can determine if you are eligible for pro se.
Divorce classes are held monthly, usually on a Friday morning. The papers required by the court are distributed and reviewed in the class. After a client fills out the forms, they can attend a follow-up session and have the attorney or paralegal review them for accuracy.
Custody classes are held monthly if there are enough applicants. These classes are most appropriate for people who have children but have never married. As with the divorce class, forms are reviewed in class and a follow-up session is scheduled to have an attorney or paralegal review them for accuracy.
MPLAS does not have "do-it-yourself" classes for any other legal issues. However, there are booklets and brochures available on other legal topics such as obtaining a restraining order, unpaid bills, and unemployment benefits. You may also get online legal information at the Oregon State Bar website or Oregon Law Help.
Towards justice and dignity for all.
Por justicia y dignidad para todos.
PLEASE NOTE: Marion-Polk Legal Aid Service, Inc.
cannot give legal advice by telephone, fax or email.
