Programs

Do you have questions about your rights as a tenant? Are you worried about being evicted? Or, do you own a mobile home and have a problem with the mobile home park?

Tenant Clinic

Every Friday (except Whatcom County holidays—see holiday schedule here)

12:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Please check in by 1:30 pm

Whatcom County Courthouse 5^thFloor
311 Grand Ave. Bellingham, WA

Drop-in to speak with a lawyer free

Bring a copy of your rental agreement (lease) and any other documents related to your case (for example, eviction notice or anything else from your landlord).

This program does not assist landlords. If you are a landlord needing legal help, please see the WSBA Legal Directory to find an attorney to hire.

Learn more about Tenant’s Rights, Eviction, Housing Discrimination and other issues here. 

Access ID

Help getting a Washington State ID

Two Saturdays per month 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Downtown Bellingham Public Library
210 Central Ave. Bellingham

Non-attorney volunteers help with ordering needed documents (such as birth certificates, school transcripts, and others) and connecting clients with financial resources to pay for those documents.

If your driver’s license was suspended, this program CANNOT help with getting it back. Learn more about getting it back here.

Do you want to talk to an attorney about filing for bankruptcy?

Consumer Debt Clinic

To Get Connected:
Call CLEAR: 1-888-201-1014
Monday-Friday 9:15 am – 12:15 pm
Seniors (age 60+) can also call CLEAR*Sr at 1-888-387-7111

Talk to an attorney at CLEAR who will screen you for eligibility, may be able to offer you initial legal advice, and may refer you to LAW Advocates for assistance from a volunteer attorney. Talking to CLEAR first helps LAW Advocates volunteer attorneys better prepare to assist you.

Learn more about Money & Debt here. 

Or have you been taken advantage of by a lender?

Talk to an attorney at CLEAR who will screen you for eligibility, may be able to offer you initial legal advice, and may refer you to LAW Advocates for assistance from a volunteer attorney. Talking to CLEAR first helps LAW Advocates volunteer attorneys better prepare to assist you.

Call CLEAR at 1-888-201-1014,
Mon – Fri between 9:15am – 12:15pm.

Seniors (age 60+) can also call CLEAR*Sr at
1-888-387-7111.

Learn more about Consumer Fraud & Contracts here.

Street Law

Talk to a Lawyer Free

Our Volunteer Lawyers provide free, brief consultations
Bring any papers related to your case.

Two Saturdays per month 1:00 – 4:00 pm (Dates Vary) at the Downtown Bellingham Public Library or scheduled Wednesdays (Dates Vary) during the academic year at Whatcom Community College Heiner Building.

Do you want advice related to income and housing, including benefits?

Homeless Legal Outreach

Talk to a lawyer free.
Tuesdays 1:00 – 2:00 pm
and
Wednesdays 1:00 – 3:00 pm
LAW Advocates Office
1415 Commercial St. Bellingham

Learn more about Public Benefits here.

Veteran Advocacy

Talk to a lawyer free.
Tuesdays 1:00 – 2:00 pm
and
Wednesdays 1:00 – 3:00 pm
LAW Advocates Office
1415 Commercial St. Bellingham

Learn more about Public Benefits and Veterans Benefits here.

SaveSave

Kinship Custody Clinic

In partnership with Opportunity Council, LAW Advocates provides information about the procedures and issues involved with obtaining a non-parental custody order for a relative or unrelated person (often grandparents, aunts/uncles, or family friends). A family law lawyer will assist clients with court documents and instruct them in representing themselves in court to obtain a non-parental custody order.
Call LAW Advocates for more information and to register: 360-671-6079

Learn more about Non-Parents Caring for Children here.

You may also call the statewide legal aid hotline, CLEAR, to speak with an attorney and potentially be referred for additional assistance, if eligible:

1-888-201-1014
Monday – Friday 9:15 am – 12:15 pm

It can sometimes be difficult to get through. Don’t be discouraged—keep calling until you reach someone.

Seniors (age 60+) can also call CLEAR*Sr at 1-888-387-7111

LAW Advocates has Wills & Powers of Attorney Clinics for seniors, people with disabilities, and people with terminal illnesses who need help with these documents or need referral to a pro bono attorney.

Call LAW Advocates for more information: 360-671-6079

Learn more about Wills & Estate Planning here.

You may also call the statewide legal aid hotline, CLEAR, to speak with an attorney and potentially be referred for additional assistance, if eligible:

1-888-201-1014
Monday – Friday 9:15 am – 12:15 pm

It can sometimes be difficult to get through. Don’t be discouraged—keep calling until you reach someone.

Seniors (age 60+) can also call CLEAR*Sr at 1-888-387-7111

LAW Advocates assists survivors of domestic violence (including emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse) with parenting plans through our Domestic Violence Parenting Plan Clinic.

Contact Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services for a referral to this program by calling 360-715-1563.

Learn more about Parenting Plans and access forms and instructions here: https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/issues/family-law/parenting-plans-residential-time 

You may also call the statewide legal aid hotline, CLEAR, to speak with an attorney and potentially be referred for additional assistance, if eligible:

1-888-201-1014
Monday – Friday 9:15 am – 12:15 pm

It can sometimes be difficult to get through. Don’t be discouraged—keep calling until you reach someone.

Seniors (age 60+) can also call CLEAR*Sr at 1-888-387-7111

Founded in 2001, the Whatcom Civil Rights Project (WCRP) is a joint endeavor of LAW Advocates and the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center.

WCRP brings together community members and volunteer attorneys to investigate claims of discrimination. WCRP provides assistance to those who believe they have suffered from discrimination based on a legally protected characteristic such as:
• race, color, or national origin
• creed or ethnicity
• age
• religion
• sex
• sexual orientation
• familial or marital status
• disability

Need Legal Help related to discrimination or a civil rights violation?

Call WCRP: 360-734-0217

Leave a detailed message with your name, a good contact number, the best time to reach you, and a brief description of your question or situation.

Learn more about WCRP: www.whatcomcivilrightsproject.org

Some online resources WCRP has to offer include hate crime reporting, racial profiling reporting, and lgbtq+ resources and support.

Learn more about Civil & Individual Rights: https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/issues/other-individual-rights

LAW Advocates does not regularly provide help with immigration, but there are other resources available:

Resources for Immigrants: https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/immigrants/

En Español: Recursos para Inmigrantes: https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/es/immigrants/

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project: Advice & Representation for eligible cases https://www.nwirp.org/get-help/