Suffolk residents can get free virtual legal help June 16-18

Suffolk residents confronting guardianship fights, estate disputes, bankruptcy and other civil legal crises could get a free half-hour of legal help next week without leaving home. The Suffolk Pro Bono Project is offering virtual or phone appointments June 16, June 17 and June 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., by appointment only, for eligible low-income residents who qualify for the program.

The clinic covers Article 17A guardianship, Article 81 guardianship, divorce, custody and support, estate matters, bankruptcy, suspended or revoked licenses, deed and title matters and income tax questions. Residents who wanted a spot were asked to contact the group by June 8, 2026, if they were found eligible. The program connects participants with volunteer attorneys through Legal Services of Long Island.

Legal Services of Long Island says its staff screens applicants against federally established financial guidelines before matching them with a volunteer attorney. The nonprofit says it provides free legal services in thousands of civil cases each year and serves Long Islanders with low incomes and disabilities, a need that is especially acute when a family is trying to protect a vulnerable adult, sort out an estate or stop a financial problem from spiraling.

The Suffolk Pro Bono Project is a joint program of Legal Services of Long Island and the Suffolk County Bar Association, established in 1981. The bar association says bankruptcy remains one of the greatest areas of need for volunteer representation, underscoring how often Suffolk households need help with debt-related cases that can affect housing, wages and family stability.

The legal issues on the clinic’s menu are among the most consequential in New York courts. Article 17-A guardianship concerns an intellectually or developmentally disabled adult, while Article 81 guardianship applies to an incapacitated person who cannot manage property and, in some cases, personal needs. New York courts also say guardianship alternatives should be considered when possible, a reminder that these cases often involve difficult family decisions before a judge ever gets involved.

Residents can seek help through Legal Services of Long Island’s Suffolk County offices in Islandia and Riverhead. The Islandia office is at 1757 Veterans Highway, Suite 50, Islandia, NY 11749. The Riverhead office is at 400 West Main Street, Suite 200, Riverhead, NY 11901. Walk-ins are allowed at all offices, but appointments are highly recommended. Attorneys who want to volunteer can contact Kiersten Bartolotta.