Free Legal Services Available for N.Y. Residents Impacted by Spring Storms

In the aftermath of the severe storms and flooding of April 2-4, those New York residents affected may find they need help with disaster-related legal issues. Free legal advice and referrals are available.

Attorneys in the Young Lawyers Division of the New York State Bar Association, which is providing this assistance, volunteer their time and knowledge, offer advice on issues involving landlord/tenant problems, disaster-related contract matters, insurance, replacement of legal documents, counseling on mortgage foreclosure and a number of other concerns.

Those in the disaster-affected counties may call toll-free at 1-866-336-8277 Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours, callers are asked to leave a message and a lawyer will return their call.

The information on a caller’s specific need will be forwarded to an attorney who is an expert in that branch of the law.

Members of the volunteer attorney group cannot accept fee-generating cases. Their services are authorized only to assist in resolving issues arising out of the disaster.

The counties where this service is available are declared for Individual Assistance. They are Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Orange, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Schoharie, Sullivan, Tioga and Ulster counties.