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.]
Delaware
A. Senior Legal Hotline: None Listed
B. Legal Assistance Developer
Allan Zaback, Director
Delaware Division of Services for Aging
and Adults with Physical Disabilities, DHSS
1901 N. Dupont Hwy., Main Bldg.
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 577-4791; fax (302) 577-4793
C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Victor Orija, State Ombudsman
Delaware Division of Services for Aging
and Adults with Physical Disabilities
1901 N. Dupont Hwy., Main Bldg.
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 577-4791; fax (302) 577-4793
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
The following programs provide free legal services to elderly people. They address all general legal areas and are funded by Title III of the OAA and a state grant. Appropriate cases are also referred to Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, which serves the entire state, with 250 attorneys participating pro bono.
Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities
1901 N. DuPont Hwy.
New Castle, DE 19720
(302) 577-4791
Web: www.state.de.us/dhss/dsaapd/index.html
E. Bar Committees/Sections
Delaware Bar Association
Law and the Elderly Committee
Jason Powell, Chair
301 N. Market St.
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 658-5279; (800) 292-7869; fax (302) 658-5212
Web: http://www.dsba.org/index.html
F. National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- Delaware 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
Delaware Volunteer Legal Services
Townhouse 4, Widener University
P.O. Box 7306
Wilmington, DE 19803
(302) 478-8680
Delaware Volunteer Legal Services provides free legal representation for qualified Delaware residents with civil law problems. No criminal or fee generating cases. Residents of Kent and Sussex counties should call Community Legal Aid for preliminary intake and screening.
H. Law Schools and Legal Clinics
Law Schools
Widener University School of Law
Delaware Campus
4601 Concord Pike
P.O. Box 7474
Wilmington, DE 19803-0474
I. Attorney General's Office
Joseph R. "Beau" Biden III, Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
Carvel State Office Bldg.
820 N. French St.
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 577-8400
Web: http://www.state.de.us/attgen/
The Delaware Attorney General's office has no separate unit addressing elderly issues, but work on those matters is conducted by the Medicaid Fraud and Human Services units.
J. State Protection and Advocacy Agencies
Client Assistance Program
United Cerebral Palsy, Inc.
254 Camden-Wyoming Ave.
Camden, DE 19934
(302) 698-9336; (800) 640-9336; fax (302) 698-9338
Email: capdir@magpage.com
Community Legal Aid Society, Inc.
Community Services Building, Suite 801
100 W. 10th St.
Wilmington, DE 19801
(302) 575-0660; fax (916) 488-2635
K. Dispute Resolution
Delaware Federation for Dispute Resolution
1007 White Birch Dr.
Newark, DE 19713
(302) 738-9702
Email: clarkshort@aol.com
L. Other Projects
