LEGAL Services for the citizens of Alaska are many and varied, ranging from the simple to the most complex.  There is virtually, a legal code for almost every legal issue and there is a specialist lawyer, trained to help those who seek legal advice in those matters.

Every Alaskan has the right of legal representation and there are various departments within the state to handle each and every legal situation – and law specialists to handle the diverse cases.

Let’s look at some of the legal services available to Alaskans.

FAMILY AND LIFE PLANNING
This area looks at all facets of family life: Divorce, Care of Children, Adoption, Fostering and Guardianship.

PROTECTION FROM ABUSE
Sadly, this is now an issue and legal services are provided for domestic violence, child and elderly persons’ abuse and help for military families.

PUBLIC AND HEALTH
This is a large area and covers, just to list a few.

• Fair Hearings
• Health Benefits For Children
• Vets Benefits
• Social Security
• Medicare
• Treatment, good or otherwise for patients in Alaskan hospitals
• Medical malpractice

CONSUMER
This covers Bankruptcy, Collection of Debts, Taxes, Credit, Loans; all facets of finance where legal aid is needed.

DISABILITY
A major issue here is discrimination in Employment: Too old, or young; wrong gender for the job, religious or ethnicity issues. Unfair dismissal, even favoritism in the workplace.

HOUSING
Public Housing, Landlord and Tenant, Foreclosure of Mortgages and its prevention, Housing Finance issues.

MOTOR VEHICLES
Speeding or not speeding, illegal parking or not,  police issues, buying a car, auto insurance issues,  all come under the umbrella of this busy legal service.

60+ SENIORS
With the ageing population increasing, legal services in Alaska are available for the over sixties, looking out for Care giving Information; Wills;  Aged care; Pensions and even Grandparent visiting rights. Even taking care of Money, Banking and Other Finance.

NATIVE AMERICAN ISSUES
Hunting and Fishing Rights, Tribal Government and Tribal Courts, the Indian Child Welfare Act.  In fact, anything germane to indigenous Alaskan residents.
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
Your civil and legal rights,   Any Alaskan who has been imprisoned has Prisoners’ rights; if you’ve been injured, you as a victim have legal rights, such as compensation, restitution etc.

IMMIGRATION
You, as a new citizen or green card holder have specific rights, within Alaska, you have legal representation in all immigration matters; covering things such as deportation;   family matters, naturalization and citizenship; green card issues.  Immigration specialist lawyers are trained to help here.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Simple issues such as what is an arraignment, what is a trial, legal service, wrongful arrest.  How are you to be interrogated, did you commit a misdemeanour or a major crime?  What are or are fair penalties, in fact, all issues dealing with non-specific legalities.

Legal services in Alaska are available for everyone.  It does not matter whether you have the ability to hire a super-slick, top of the range lawyer; or your circumstances determine that you seek pro-bono (free) assistance.  All Alaskans have the right to an effective legal service.

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