Veterans Legal Program - Volunteer Resources

Thank you for volunteering with VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program!

If you are volunteering for the first time (or it’s been a while), please watch this training for an overview of the clinic, what to expect, and expectations for volunteers.

Please review the information below at the start of each clinic:

• Each appointment should begin with introductions and a review of VLJ’s limited scope retainer agreement (collect verbal consent).
  
  

• VLJ assists with specific civil legal issues:

  • Housing instability (for example, at risk of or facing eviction)

  • Financial issues (for example, pending lawsuit, overwhelming debt, or judgment)

  • Criminal record expungement (NJ charges only)

  • Child support modification (NJ orders only)

  • Suspended NJ driver’s license

  • Estate planning (for example, drafting a Will, Power of Attorney, and/or Medical Directive)

  • Divorce
    
    

• Breaking bad news can be challenging, but it is crucial for you as volunteers to set reasonable expectations for all veteran clients and be honest about what services we may/may not be able to provide.
  

• Clinic goals include:

1. Identify any/all issues

2. Provide advice on the spot whenever possible (i.e., if you know employment law and the veteran is experiencing an employment-related issue, advise appropriately).

3. Help prioritize next steps
   

• Through the appointment, take detailed notes if you have identified a legal issue VLJ can assist with.
  

• If the veteran needs help with expunging a criminal record, is considering bankruptcy, seeking to modify an existing child support order, and/or have estate planning documents prepared, there are additional assessment questionnaires that must be completed (linked within), in addition to the Volunteer Packet.

STEP 1: dOWNLOAD VOLUNTEER PACKET - save copy to your computer

This packet includes the following sections. You must complete all sections for each client you meet with (one packet per team, per client). We recommend appointing a scribe to complete the packet through the course of appointment, and alternate scribes throughout the clinic.

• Part 1: Limited Scope Legal Services Acknowledgement and Understanding           

• Part 2: Questionnaire

• Part 3: Volunteer Report Form

STEP 2: COMPLETED ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENTS / QUESTIONNAIRES (AS NEEDED)

If the veteran needs help with expunging a criminal record, is considering bankruptcy, seeking to modify an existing child support order, and/or have estate planning documents prepared, there are additional assessment questionnaires that must be completed in addition to the Volunteer Packet.

Supporting assessments and questionnaire are linked within the packet.

step 3: Submit completed packet & materials to VLJ

Email all completed paperwork to VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program team, Alexandra Bravo (abravo@vljnj.org) and Katiana Guerrier (kguerrier@vljnj.org). 

Other Legal Issues and Social Servics

If a other legal issues are identified for the veteran, and not noted above, it is likely that they should be provided referrals to an agency that can provide that specific services.

• VA benefits: VLJ is not able to assist with VA Benefits issues; notify veteran that they should be in touch with a local veteran service officer (“VSO”) to review their eligibility, update their VA e-benefit account, etc.
  For an interactive guide to available VA benefits, please click on “Veterans Guide” below.

  • For Military Discharge Upgrades, please contact the GI Go Fund at (973) 802-1479, ext. 703 or The Veterans Consortium Discharge Upgrade Program at (202) 733-3324 or upgrades@vetsprobono.org.

• List of other general organizations/services available HERE.

• List of NJ Lawyer Referral Offices for non-VLJ legal issues available HERE.

training videos

Whether this is your first time volunteering with VLJ’s Veterans Legal Program, or it has been a while, below are relevant training videos we recommend.

training - clinic overview

This 1-hour training prepares attorneys to volunteer at VLJ’s virtual Legal Wellness Clinic. This clinic is a critical first steps to working with veterans to identify legal issues and available relief, including in-depth assessements regarding criminal record clearing, child support modification, estate planning, bankruptcy relief, and more.

training - assessing high-need issues experienced by veterans at the clinic