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.]
South Carolina
A. Senior Legal Hotline: (888) 346-5592
B. Legal Assistance Developer
Ethel Corley
Lieutenant Governor's Office on Aging
1301 Gervais St., Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 734-9900; fax (803) 734-9886
C. Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Dale Watson
State Long Term Care Ombudsman
Governor's Office on Aging
1301 Gervais St., Suite 200
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 898-2850; fax (803) 255-8202
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/
Appalachia Area Agency
SC Appalachian Council of Governments
(864) 242-9733
Serves Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg
Upper Savannah Area Agency on Aging
(800) 922-7729; (864) 941-8053
Serves Abbeville; Edgefield; Greenwood; Laurens; McCormick and Saluda
Catawba Area Agency
Catawba Area Agency on Aging
157 E. Main Street, Suite 203
Rock Hill, SC
(803) 329-9670
www.catawba-aging.com
Serves Chester, Lancaster, Union and York
Central Midlands Area Agency on Aging
(803) 376-5390
Serves Fairfield, Lexington, Newberry and Richland (Columbia)
Lower Savannah Area Agency on Aging
(803) 649-7981
Serves Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun and Orangeburg
Santee-Lynches Area Agency
(803) 775-7381
Serves Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee and Sumter
Pee Dee Area Agency on Aging
(843) 383-8632
Serves Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion and Marlboro
Waccamaw Area Agency on Aging
(843) 546-4231
Serves Georgetown, Horry and Williamsburg
Trident Area Agency on Aging
ElderLink, Incorporated
(843) 745-1710
Serves Dorchester
Lowcountry Area Agency on Aging
Lowcountry Council of Governments
(843) 726-5536
Serves Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper
E. Bar Committees/Sections
South Carolina Bar Association
Elder Law Committee
M. Leigh Flynn, Chair
950 Taylor St.
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 799-6653; fax (803) 799-4118
Web: http://www.scbar.org
F. National Association of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- South Carolina Chapter
Leigh Flynn, Esq.
President, NAELA South Carolina Chapter
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 791-1991
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.htmlLower Savannah Area Agency on Aging
P.O. Box 850
Aiken, SC 29802
(803) 649-7981
Serves Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, and Orangeburg counties
Waccamaw Area Agency on Aging
P.O. Box 1954
Conway, SC 29526
(803) 349-2130
Serves Horry, Georgetown, and Williamsburg counties
Palmetto Legal Services
35 E. Calhoun St.
Sumter, SC 29251
(803) 773-1471
Serves Sumter, Clarendon, Lee, and Karshaw counties
Legal Services of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, Inc.
P.O. Box 1200
Hartsville, SC 29550
(803) 332-1162
Serves Darlington, Dillon, Marlboro, and Chesterfield counties
H. Law Schools and Legal Clinics
University of South Carolina School of Law
Main and Greene Sts.
Columbia, SC 29208
(803) 777-6857
Web: http://www.law.sc.edu
I. Attorney General's Office
Henry McMaster, Attorney General
Rembert C. Dennis Office Bldg.
P.O. Box 11549
Columbia, SC 29211-1549
(803) 734-3970
Web: http://www.scattorneygeneral.org
J. State Protection and Advocacy Agencies
Office of the Governor
Division of Ombudsman and Citizens Services
1205 Pendleton St.
Columbia, SC 29211
(803) 734-0285; (800) 868-0040; fax (803) 734-0546
Web: www.govoepp.state.sc.us/cap/
South Carolina P&A System for People with Disabilities, Inc.
3710 Landmark Dr., Ste. 208
Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 782-0639; (866) 275-7273; fax (803) 790-1946
Web: http://www.protectionandadvocacy-sc.org
Email: info@protectionandadvocacy-sc.org
K. Dispute Resolution
Low Country Mediation Network
P.O Box 1404
Charleston, SC 29402
(843) 727-6202; fax (843) 723-0420
Email: bmelton@worldnet.att.net
The network is a voluntary service organization of interested mediators and individuals dedicated to providing the option of mediation for people seeking resolution of conflicts that might arise in the arena of divorce, custody support, community business, and civil matters.
L. Other Projects
None listed
