Las Vegas seniors receive free legal help with this monthly program

Yahoo

06-05-2025

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Southern Nevada Senior Law Program is offering free legal services to seniors across the valley through its monthly Ask-A-Lawyer Program.
Attorneys will meet with seniors and answer legal questions or assess a legal problem. The program aims to protect the rights, dignity, and independence of our most vulnerable through advocacy, education, and legal support.
'At the Senior Law Program, we are able to make sure that they do not get taken advantage of, they don't get abused, and they can have their legal rights protected,' Executive Director Diane Fearon said. '[We offer] some immediate advice to that senior who doesn't know where to go or what to do.'
Seniors can receive free legal aid for estate planning, housing disputes, scams and fraud, and public benefits, among other pressing legal matters. Paul Thornton signed up for the Ask-A-Lawyer Program following his wife's death.
'They talk about not only just the will as to who you want to be the beneficiary,' Thornton said. 'They go over every detail. They make sure that you are leaving things to the people you want to. It's real comforting to know that my assets will go to the individuals that I have chosen to receive those.'
Supervising attorney Chelsea Crowton has met with dozens of seniors throughout the program. She said the three most common issues are estate planning, elder exploitation, and scams, as well as consumer concerns.
'Contract dispute, landlords, any type of merchant disputes, we're resolving that in favor of the seniors,' Crowton said.
The Ask-A-Lawyer program brings Senior Law Program attorneys to select senior centers one day each month for four-hour sessions. Seniors can schedule free 30-minute consultations to discuss legal matters and receive critical legal guidance. If additional legal assistance is needed, the attorney will help schedule a follow-up appointment at SLP's office.
'[Those five senior centers] serve a variety of needs where we're dealing with seniors who are facing economic issues, housing instability, and food insecurity,' Crowton said.
Southern Nevada Senior Law Program aims to ensure Southern Nevada seniors have access to the justice they deserve.
'It's a pleasure to come into a place where they treat you, especially as a senior, as a human being,' Thornton said.
The free legal services are available at the following community centers:
Cora Coleman Senior Center (Clark County Parks & Recreation)
Doolittle Community Center (City of Las Vegas)
Martin Luther King Jr. Senior Center (City of North Las Vegas)
West Flamingo Senior Center (Clark County Parks & Recreation)
Downtown Senior Center (City of Henderson)
Appointments are required and seniors are encouraged to contact their local center's program coordinator to schedule a consultation. For more information, visit Southern Nevada Senior Law Program – Empowering Seniors Through No-Cost Legal Services.
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