Updated 2007
The Law and Aging Guide is a comprehensive listing of the state-wide resources available to help older persons with law-related issues. Published by the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, the Guide includes important contact numbers and addresses for legal assistance providers and other law-related services for the elderly. Many states now have toll-free senior legal hotlines. If you are an older person (or family member or trusted friend of an older person) who needs legal advice or assistance, the first step is to see if your state has a hotline, and, if it does, to call the hotline listed below.
[Note: If you are legal services provider or entity listed below, please email any changes of address or information to the ABA Commission at abaelderly@abanet.org , attn: Law and Aging Guide.]
Arkansas
A. Senior Legal Hotline: (800) 950-5817; Helpline: (800) 952-9243
B. Legal Assistance Developer
David Goodson
Arkansas Department of Human Services
Division of Aging and Adult Services
P.O. Box 1437, Slot S- 530
Little Rock, AR 72203-1437
(501) 682-8511; fax (501) 682-8155
Web: http://www.arkansas.gov/dhhs/homepage.html
C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Kathie Gately
Arkansas Division of Aging and Adult Services
P.O. Box 1437, Slot - 1412
Little Rock, AR 72203
(501) 682-8952; fax (501) 682-8155
Web: http://www.arkansas.gov/dhhs/aging/
D. Legal Services Funded Under the Older Americans Act
If your income falls within certain guidelines, you may be able to get legal help from the Legal Services or Legal Aid program in your area. In some communities, the Older Americans Act program serving older people and the legal aid program are one and the same. For a state-by-state listing of Legal Services programs, go to
Web: http://www.lsc.gov
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas
709 East Eighth Avenue; PO Box 8569
PO Box 8569
Pine Bluff, AR 71611
(870) 543-6300; (800) 264-3260
Web: http://www.aaasea.org/
Serves Lincoln County
CareLink, the Central Arkansas Area Agency on Aging
P.O. Box 5988
North Little Rock, Arkansas 72119
(501) 372-5300; (800)482-6359
Web: www.care-link.org
Email: info@care-link.org
Serves Faulkner, Lonoke, Monroe, Prairie, Pulaski and Saline
Senior Specialists, Agency on Aging West Central Arkansas
905 West Grand Avenue
Hot Springs, AR 71913
(501) 321-2811; (800) 467-2170
Web: http://www.seniorspecialists.org/index.htm
Email: info@seniorspecialist.org
Serves Clark, Conway, Garland, Hot Spring, Johnson, Montgomery, Perry, Pike, Pope and Yel
Area Agency on Aging of Southwest Arkansas
600 Columbia 11 East
Magnolia, AR 71753
(870) 234-7410; (800) 272-2127
Web: www.agewithdignity.org
Email: inref@magnolia-net.com
Serves: Calhoun, Columbia, Dallas, Hempstead, Howard, LaFayette, Little River, Miller, Nevada, Ouachita, Sevier and Union
AAA of Western Arkansas
525 Garrison Avenue; P.O. Box 1724
Fort Smith, AR 72901
(479) 783-5550; (800) 737-1827
Web: http://www.agingwest.org/
Serves: Crawford, Franklin, Logan, Polk, Scott and Sebastian
E. Bar Committees/Sections
Arkansas Bar Association
400 W. Markham
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 375-4606; (800) 609-5668
Web: http://www.arkansasfindalawyer.com/
Web: http://www.arkbar.com/index.html
F. National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- Arkansas Chapter
None listed
G. Legal Assistance Projects Involving Private Attorneys
Many communities are also served by volunteer lawyer (pro bono) programs. These programs are usually sponsored by bar associations. Lawyers in private practice volunteer to help low-income persons free of charge. To find the pro bono program in your state, click on http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/findlegalhelp/probonodirectory.html
Volunteer Organization of the Center for Arkansas Legal Services (VOCALS)
303 W. Capitol, Ste. 200
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 376-3423; (800) 950-5817 (within Arkansas)
Pro Bono Coordinator: Mary Henry
VOCALS is the volunteer organization under the Center for Arkansas Legal Services. Founded in 1982, VOCALS enables attorneys to provide pro bono legal assistance to low-income persons, with special priority service given to the elderly. Over 800 attorneys participate in the program. The project is funded by the Center for Arkansas Legal Services, Arkansas state funds provided by the Division of Aging and Adult Services and other sources.
Arkansas Volunteer Lawyers for the Elderly
2020 W. 3rd St., Ste. 620
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 376-9263; (800) 950-5817 (within Arkansas)
Catherine Edwards, Director
Arkansas Volunteer Lawyers for the Elderly, Inc. (AVLE), was organized in late 1983 by the Young Lawyer's Section of the Arkansas Bar Association for the purpose of providing pro bono legal services to a target population of rural, low-income, elderly Arkansans. Currently 630 private attorneys volunteer free legal assistance to low-income, elderly (55 +) in 67 of 75 Arkansas counties. The service area excludes eight Central Arkansas Counties, which are served by Central Arkansas Legal Services' various in-house pro bono projects. AVLE is sponsored by the Arkansas Bar Association and funded by six state Legal Services programs, the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, and other sources.
H. Law Schools and Legal Clinics
Law Schools
University of Arkansas School of Law
Waterman Hall 107
Fayetteville, AR 72701
(501) 575-5601
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
William H. Bowen School of Law
1201 McMath Ave.
Little Rock, AR 72202
(501) 324-9444; fax (501) 324-9433
I. Attorney General's Office
Mike Beebe, Attorney General
Attorney General's Office
200 Tower Bldg.
323 Center St.
Little Rock, AR 72201-2610
(800) 482-8982
Web: http://www.ag.state.ar.us
J. State Protection and Advocacy Agencies
Disability Rights Center, Inc.
Evergreen Pl., Ste. 201
1100 N. University
Little Rock, AR 72207
(501) 296-1775; (800) 485-1174; fax (501) 296-1775
Web: www.arkdisabilityrights.org
Email: pamda@arkdisabilityrights.org
K. Dispute Resolution
Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Commission
Administrative Office of the Courts
Justice Bldg., 625 Marshall St.
Little Rock, AR 72201-1020
(510) 682-9400 ext. 1310; fax (510) 682-9401
The Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission is charged with encouraging, promoting, and developing voluntary alternative processes throughout the state to resolve disputes, cases, and controversies of all kinds.
L. Other Projects
