The Community Legal Center of Memphis, TN
The Community Legal Center of Memphis
The Community Legal Center’s mission is to provide civil legal services to those with limited means and those at risk, including populations not served by other legal aid agencies. The Community Legal Center offers legal help for civil matters, pro se divorces, and elderly civil matters.
Address: 910 Vance Avenue, Memphis, TN 38126
Phone: (901) 543-3395
Hours: M-F 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Civil Program
This program provides access to civil legal counsel for Shelby County residents for as little as a $10, $20, or $30 intake fee, provided they have an income between 125% and approximately 200% of the federal poverty level as defined by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
After meeting with a Community Legal Center staff attorney at our weekly legal clinic, clients are either assigned to a staff attorney or placed with a volunteer attorney.
Pro Se Divorce Clinic
For over 10 years, the Community Legal Center has run a clinic each morning at the civil courthouse to assist parents with minor children who are residents of Shelby County and meet our income requirements obtain divorces as self-represented litigants.
An experienced family law attorney is available to help qualified people sent to the clinic by judges, referees, and clerks, and those who learn about the clinic on their own, with preparation of a parenting plan and divorce pleadings. The intake fee is a sliding scale amount between $5 – $15 and the filing fee for an uncontested divorce with minor children is currently $378.50.
Address: 140 Adams Avenue Room 134, Memphis, TN 38103
Phone: (901) 222-3813
Hours: M-F 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Elder Law Program
The Community Legal Center engages in frequent outreach to lower income elders about advance directives and preparation of wills. Elderly civil clients within our income guidelines may qualify to receive such services from a staff attorney or volunteer attorney.
The Community Legal Center is part of CREA (Community Response to Elder Abuse), a large consortium of service organizations and governmental agencies that are assisting victims of abuse who are over 60 and live in Shelby County regardless of economic status. CREA’s services for abused or neglected elders include: 24 hour emergency services, advocacy, healthcare, housing, and legal aid.
A Community Legal Center staff attorney is brought into CREA case by intake coordinators at the Family Safety Center to provide legal assistance, such as power of attorney or conservatorships for elders who are unable to manage their affairs.