Legal Aid/ How do I apply?
How do I apply?
To apply for legal aid you must go to the Legal Aid Office closest to where you live.
We cannot confirm whether you qualify for legal aid over the phone or Internet.
1
Make an appointment by phone with the Legal Aid Office closest to where you live.
2
At the meeting, you will be asked to describe your financial situation (annual income, your property, liquid assets) and that of your family members in order to determine if you are eligible for legal aid.
3
An application for legal aid must be signed. By signing the application, the potential recipient undertakes to:
- promptly inform the Legal Aid Office director of any change in his/her situation or that of the his/her family that could affect eligibility for legal aid;
- promptly inform the Legal Aid Office director of any property or rights of a financial nature acquired after having benefited from services rendered;
- repay the costs of legal aid when required to do so by An Act respecting legal aid and the provision of certain other legal services or by the regulations enacted under the Act;
- where required, pay the actual foreseeable costs and administrative expenses related to the legal aid services;
- notify the Legal Aid Office of any change of address.
4
An applicant must sign two other documents:
- a declaration stating that the information and documents provided are accurate;
- an authorization form entitling the director of the Legal Aid Office to check with Revenu Québec, any other government department, organization, employer or financial or academic institution to verify the accuracy of the information provided by the applicant.
Informations nécessaires
Anyone seeking legal aid must have the following information and bring the following documents to their first meeting with a lawyer:
Documents requis pour la cause
- Legal procedures;
- Letters of demand;
- Summonses;
- Contracts,
- Etc.
Informations personnelles
- Name;
- Address;
- Date of birth;
- Social insurance number;
- Names and birth dates of family members;
- Where relevant, proof that a child over 18 is attending an educational institution.
Preuves des revenus de l'année précédente ou de l'année en cours, selon le cas*
- Name and address of the source of income;
- Recent pay stub;
- Employment insurance benefits slip;
- Commissions;
- Tips;
- Income tax returns for the previous year and notices of assessment; financial statements (income from a business);
- Rental income;
- Interest income;
- Support payments received;
- Etc.
Déductions annualisées
- Support payments paid (alimony, child support);
- Day-care expenses;
- Tuition fees;
- Expenses incurred to alleviate a severe physical or intellectual disability.
Actifs
- Income and expenses relating to rental of immovable property (Revenu Québec form TP-128)
- Assets: property tax bills (house or other properties), RRSP, etc.;
- Debts: loans, lines of credit, outstanding bills, balance of mortgage, etc;
- Liquid assets: bank books, term deposits, investments, shares, bonds, etc.
Nota bene
* Any person who receives a benefit, other than a special benefit, under a last resort financial assistance program provided for by the Individual and Family Assistance Act or any member of a family receiving such a benefit is not required, when applying for legal aid, to disclose his/her financial situation or that of his/her family. However, the applicant must provide proof of the benefits received.
