OUR PROGRAMS

Custody & Visitation Hotline

(Funded by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families)

In 2017, Legal Aid Society, with support from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, launched the statewide Custody and Visitation Hotline.  Since then, a Legal Aid Society attorney has been operating this hotline, answering call from across the Commonwealth, providing legal advice and assistance to eligible Kentucky parents regarding custody of and visitation with their children.  Legal services include advice on how and where to enter a motion to file or change a custody or visitation order and how to address custody or visitation issues.  The Custody and Visitation Hotline Attorney also refers callers with child support questions to the appropriate local child support office or Child Support Hotline.

The toll-free Custody and Visitation Hotline number is (844) 673-3470. Phone lines are open Monday through Friday 9:00am - 12:00pm and 1:00pm - 4:00pm (EST).

Doctors & Lawyers for Kids

(Partially funded by Kentucky Youth Advocates, Norton Healthcare, Norton Children’s Hospital Foundation, and Family Health Centers Louisville)

Founded in 2011 as a partnership between the University of Louisville (U of L) Department of Pediatrics, the Louisville Bar Association, and Legal Aid Society, Doctors and Lawyers for Kids integrates legal care into medical care to empower families, promote resiliency, and eliminate social needs that contribute to poor health in our children.  Originally an independent nonprofit, in 2020 Doctors and Lawyers for Kids became a program of Legal Aid Society and continues to serve clients at all U of L Department of Pediatrics clinics, three Family Health Centers clinics (Iroquois, Portland, and East Broadway), two Norton Pediatrics locations (Broadway and Norton Children’s Hospital) and the Smoketown Family Wellness Center.

Domestic Violence Advocacy Program

(Partially funded by the Kentucky Justice & Public Safety Cabinet - Victims of Crime Act Funding, Violence Against Women Act, and Metro United Way)

Established in 2009, the Domestic Violence Advocacy Program (DVAP) provides legal representation to domestic violence and sexual assault victims at protective order hearings and develops safety plans with victims so they can successfully escape their abusers.  Legal representation is the single most effective service for providing long-term safety for victims of domestic violence. Annually, the DVAP assists more than 650 victims.  In partnership with the Jefferson County Domestic Violence Intake Center and with the help of law students and volunteer attorneys, DVAP represents clients in need at protective order hearings across twelve dockets in Jefferson County each week.  Additionally, DVAP works with local colleges and universities to assist victims of sexual assault on campuses, helping them to pursue their rights under Title IX.

If you would like to volunteer to assist survivors, click here to sign-up.

Legal Aid Society Low Income Taxpayer Clinic

(Partially funded through the IRS Taxpayer Advocate Service)

Since 2000, the Legal Aid Society Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) has worked to provide free legal assistance with tax law issues, such as:

• Debts owed to the Internal Revenue Service

• Help with audits

• Help with the Earned Income Tax Credit

• Help with the Child Tax Credit

• Innocent Spouse Relief

• Misclassification of employees as 1099 “independent contractors”

• Representation in U.S. Tax Court

The LITC accepts cases year round, serving taxpayers in the Louisville Metro area and the entire western half of Kentucky. In addition to advocacy in individual cases, the LITC provides outreach and education about taxpayer rights and responsibilities to various community groups and the general public.

Project H.E.L.P. Louisville (Homeless Experience Legal Protection)

(Partially funded by The Gheens Foundation and Louisville Metro Government)

Modeled on a successful legal assistance program in place in 26 U.S. cities, Project H.E.L.P. (Homeless Experience Legal Protection) Louisville is designed to serve homeless individuals who have legal problems but lack the means to access the justice system to resolve those issues.  Project H.E.L.P.  Louisville assists homeless individuals with civil legal issues that may contribute to homelessness and act as barriers to employment, housing, safety, and economic stability.  Project H.E. L.P. meets individuals where they are, hosting legal clinics within homeless shelters across Louisville, Kentucky providing direct civil legal advice & representation to homeless individuals on issues involving consumer debts, government benefits, family matters, housing issues, and more.  Through a combination of volunteer attorneys, law students, and legal aid resources, homeless individuals can access an attorney and resolve their legal problems. 

Click here to volunteer with Project H.E.L.P. and assist our homeless community.

Veterans Legal Assistance Program

(Partially funded by the Louisville Bar Foundation, Kentucky Bar Foundation, Texas Roadhouse, V. V. Cooke Foundation, and the William E. Barth Foundation) 

Legal Aid provides free legal services to hundreds of Kentucky Veterans who need critical legal assistance but do not have the means to hire an attorney.   Through the legal advice and representation by both staff and volunteer attorneys, we are able to help veterans:

• Avoid homelessness;

• Access VA or other benefits;

• Resolve family law issues such as custody and child support;

• Obtain life planning documents, such as Powers of Attorney, Living Wills or Healthcare Surrogates, and Last Will and Testaments;

• Expunge eligible criminal records; and,

• Address issues effecting financial stability such as consumer debts. 

Annually, Legal Aid Society assists over 200 veterans in need of civil legal aid, restoring hope and transforming the lives of those we assist.

If you would like to volunteer to assist our veterans, please click here.