In Los Angeles, the legal services organization, Bet Tzedek, known for its regular in-person legal clinics, has recently extended its reach to a digital front. The clinics were designed to help self-represented individuals navigate the often complex process of conservatorship, a legal proceeding where a court appoints one person to manage the personal and financial affairs of someone unable to do so due to illnesses or disabilities. However, these traditional clinics faced issues with congestion, limiting the effectiveness of the aid provided.
In an attempt to overcome the constraints and make legal help accessible to a larger audience, Bet Tzedek, in collaboration with the legal technology design and development firm, Theory and Principle, developed an online legal clinic. Launched in January, the Self-Help Conservatorship Clinic website seeks to provide round-the-clock assistance.
Described by attorney Bertha Sanchez Hayden, who leads Bet Tzedek’s direct services for seniors, dependent adults, and caregivers, as a novel attempt to increase access to justice, the online clinic emerged as a necessity in the wake of the pandemic. It embodies an acknowledgement by the legal aid institutions to respond to the changes brought about by the pandemic, by extending their traditional in-person resources to digital platforms.
The website is divided into two main sections; ‘Learn’ and ‘Get Support’. The ‘Learn’ section provides an overview of conservatorships and their various forms in California, along with details about alternative solutions such as powers of attorney and advanced health care directives. The ‘Get Support’ section guides users through the process of applying for a conservatorship while also providing necessary forms, instructions on filing and serving them, and even prepping the individual for court hearings.
The digital clinic, with translations services provided by Transcend Translations, is accessible in both English and Spanish. This online clinic doesn’t aim to completely replace the in-person clinics, but instead, for those comfortable with technology, it provides an alternative pathway to avail these services.
Despite the clinic being developed specifically for Los Angeles County residents, the information it provides is applicable statewide. Hayden hopes that this online clinic can serve as a blueprint for other legal aid organizations facing similar challenges.