Central Virginia Legal Aid Society (CVLAS) provides free civil (non-criminal) legal assistance to low income people. CVLAS provides legal advice in most areas of civil law and provides legal representation in many areas of civil law. CVLAS does not handle every request for assistance, but never charges a fee for its services. CVLAS does not handle criminal, traffic, personal injury, malpractice, property damage or cases where a private a lawyer could obtain a fee from the other side or from recovery.

Generally, households must have gross income below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. Households with income up to 200% of the federal poverty may be accepted in certain situations. Households also must have low resources. The elderly (60 or older) may receive legal advice without regard to their finances. Applicants for service also must meet resource requirements and citizenship requirements.

Regular telephone intake is 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. or emergency cases, domestic violence cases, and cases for clients 60 years of age or older, telephone intake is Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Mission Statement: Founded in 1971, CVLAS’ mission is the zealous legal representation without charge to low income or elderly clients in civil cases and to help the low income and elderly community through preventive community legal education.