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.]
Kansas
A. Elder Law Hotline: (888) 353-5337
Elder Law Hotline
Kansas Legal Services
200 N. Broadway, Ste. 500
Wichita, KS 67202
B. Legal Assistance Developer
Vern Norwood
Kansas Department on Aging
503 S. Kansas Ave.
Topeka, KS 66603-3404
(785) 291-3358; fax (785) 296-0256
C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Gilbert Cruz
State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Office of the State LTC Ombudsman
900 SW Jackson St., Suite 1041
Topeka, KS 66612
(785) 296-3017; fax (785) 296-3916
http://da.state.ks.us/care/
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 http://www.lsc.gov
Wyandotte / Leavenworth Area Agency on Aging
1300 North 78th St., Suite 100
Kansas City, KS 66112
(913) 328-8532; (888) 661-1444
www.agingkansas.org/aaa/psa1.htm
Serves Wyandotte and Leavenworth
Central Plains Area Agency on Aging
(316) 660-7298 (Admin); (316) 660-5120 (I & A); (800) 367-7298
Serves Sedgwick, Butler and Harvey
North West Kansas Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
(785) 628-8204; (800) 432-7422
Serves Cheyenne, Rawlins, Decatur, Norton, Phillips, Smith, Sherman, Thomas, Sheridan, Graham, Rooks, Osborne, Wallace, Logan, Gove, Trego, Ellis and Russell
Jayhawk Area Agency on Aging
(785) 235-1367; (800) 798-1366
Serves Jefferson, Douglas and Topeka
Southeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging
(620) 431-2980; (800) 794-2440
Allen, Bourbon, Cherokee, Crawford, Labette, Montgomery, Neosho, Wilson, and Woodson
Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging
P. O. Box 1636
Dodge City, Kansas 67801
(620) 225-8230
Web: www.swkaaa.org
Serves Barber, Barton, Clark, Comanche, Edwards, Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Kiowa, Lane, Meade, Morton, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rush, Scott, Seward, Stafford, Stanton, Stevens and Wichita
East Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging
(785) 242-7200
Serves Anderson, Coffey, Franklin, Linn, Miami and Osage
North Central-Flint Hills AAA
401 Houston St.
Manhattan, KS 66502
(800) 432-2703; (785) 776-9294
Web: www.ncfhaaa.com
Serves Chase, Clay, Cloud, Dickinson, Ellsworth, Geary, Jewell, Lincoln, Lyon, Marion, Mitchell, Morris, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Republic, Riley, Saline and Wabaunsee
Northeast Kansas Area Agency on Aging
(785) 742-7152; (800) 883-2549
Serves Atchison, Brown, Doniphan, Jackson, Marshall, Nemaha, and Washington Counties
South Central Kansas Area Agency on Aging
304 S. Summit; P.O. Box 1122
Arkansas City, KS 67005
(620) 442-0268; (800) 362-0264
Web: www.sckaaa.org
Serves Chautauqua, Cowley, Elk, Greenwood, Harper, Kingman, McPherson, Reno, Rice and Sumner
Johnson County Area Agency on Aging
(913)715-8800
humanservices-aging.jocogov.org
Serves Johnson
E. Bar Committees/Sections
Kansas Bar Association
Jolynn Oakman, Chair
1200 S.W. Harrison
Topeka, KS 66612-1806
(785) 234-5696; fax (785) 234-3813
Web: http://www.ksbar.org/
F. National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- Kansas Chapter
Timothy P. O'Sullivan, Esq.
Wichita, KS 67202
(316) 267-6371
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
Senior Citizen Publications
The Resource Guide for Seniors (replaced the Legal Guide for Senior Citizens) is for seniors and those who work with seniors. Copies are available from the Kansas Department on Aging, 503 S. Kansas Ave., Topeka, KS 66603-3404, (785) 296-4986 or (800) 432-3535.
H. Law Schools and Legal Clinics
Law Schools
University of Kansas School of Law
1535 W. 15th St.
Lawrence, KS 66045
(785) 864-4550
Wasburn University School of Law
1700 College
Topeka, KS 66621
(785) 231-1185; (888) 927-4529
I. Attorney General's Office
Paul Morrison, Attorney General
120 S.W. 10th Ave., 2nd Fl.
Topeka, KS 66612-1597
(785) 296-2215
Web: http://www.ink.org/public/ksag
The Kansas Attorney General's office does not have a separate unit addressing elderly issues. The Medicaid Fraud and the Consumer Protection Division conduct work on such matters. The office provides information and referral, as well as mediation of disputes involving the state's Consumer Protection Act. The office also provides community education, particularly on consumer protection matters, through speakers, written materials, and radio/TV spots.
J. State Protection and Advocacy Agencies
Kansas Advocacy and Protective Service
3745 S.W. Wanamaker Rd.
Topeka, KS 66610
(785) 273-9661; fax (785) 273-9414
Web: www.drckansas.org
K. Dispute Resolution
Midland Mediation Services
712 S. Kansas Ave.
Topeka, KS 66603
(785) 232-5348
Midland Mediation Services provide conflict resolution training and mediation services to older persons throughout the state.
L. Other Projects
None listed
