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Some government-funded legal advice before you go to court is provided by the Family Legal Advice Service. If you qualify for government funding you can get some free legal advice to help you understand the legal aspects of settling a dispute about caring for your children. This service can also help you fill out Family Court forms if needed. This service is different from legal aid, which is where the government subsidises a lawyer for those who are eligible.
What does FLAS cover?
The Family Legal Advice Service covers two things: your rights and responsibilities in regard to your children, and; your legal options in agreeing how you'll care for your children. It can also cover the cost for getting a lawyer to help fill in forms if you do go to the Family Court, whether you are asking the Court to do something (applying to the Court) or responding when someone is asking the Court to do something that involves you. If you need more advice or to get help filling out further forms than the service provides, you will have to pay privately for this.
When you get us to provide legal advice under FLAS we don't just stop there. Our service extends to helping you access the Family Dispute Resolution mediation service and we can also book you for a Parenting Through Separation course. We'll follow-up with you after a few months as well, to see how things went and help you arrange for a second FLAS meeting if required (this is covered by the grant as well).
Am I eligible?
You may access Family Legal Advice any time before going to court. Getting some legal advice before, during or after Family Dispute Resolution may be helpful. You might want to talk to one of our lawyers after Parenting Through Separation about your options or the legal aspects of a private agreement you're thinking of making after you complete mediation.
The Ministry of Justice provides a funding eligibility tool to help you work out if you qualify. You can click here to find it, or if you prefer just ring us on (0800) 339 223 and we'll do the calculations for you.
What does FLAS cover?
The Family Legal Advice Service covers two things: your rights and responsibilities in regard to your children, and; your legal options in agreeing how you'll care for your children. It can also cover the cost for getting a lawyer to help fill in forms if you do go to the Family Court, whether you are asking the Court to do something (applying to the Court) or responding when someone is asking the Court to do something that involves you. If you need more advice or to get help filling out further forms than the service provides, you will have to pay privately for this.
When you get us to provide legal advice under FLAS we don't just stop there. Our service extends to helping you access the Family Dispute Resolution mediation service and we can also book you for a Parenting Through Separation course. We'll follow-up with you after a few months as well, to see how things went and help you arrange for a second FLAS meeting if required (this is covered by the grant as well).
Am I eligible?
You may access Family Legal Advice any time before going to court. Getting some legal advice before, during or after Family Dispute Resolution may be helpful. You might want to talk to one of our lawyers after Parenting Through Separation about your options or the legal aspects of a private agreement you're thinking of making after you complete mediation.
The Ministry of Justice provides a funding eligibility tool to help you work out if you qualify. You can click here to find it, or if you prefer just ring us on (0800) 339 223 and we'll do the calculations for you.
How to access FLAS nationwide
Ebborn Law uses a system called VLaw™ to provide quality legal advice over video link. Now anyone in New Zealand with access to the internet can meet with a family lawyer from the comfort of their home, office or... anywhere!
To access VLaw™ you need a computer or smartphone that has Skype (or a similar programme) installed, speakers or headphones and a broadband connection. We'll need you to do a bit of paperwork so if you have a printer/scanner that's great, otherwise we can post you the paperwork along with a reply-paid envelope. The law requires us to verify your identity so you will need some form of photo identification: we take a screenshot of you holding it up next to your face - it's as easy as that!
You can call us for free on (0800) 339 223 if you have any questions. Our staff are very friendly and helpful and would love to hear from you. If you'd like to book a video-appointment then you can click here to go back to the home page and complete the form, or call us on the free phone number above, or email support@ebbornlaw.co.nz.
To access VLaw™ you need a computer or smartphone that has Skype (or a similar programme) installed, speakers or headphones and a broadband connection. We'll need you to do a bit of paperwork so if you have a printer/scanner that's great, otherwise we can post you the paperwork along with a reply-paid envelope. The law requires us to verify your identity so you will need some form of photo identification: we take a screenshot of you holding it up next to your face - it's as easy as that!
You can call us for free on (0800) 339 223 if you have any questions. Our staff are very friendly and helpful and would love to hear from you. If you'd like to book a video-appointment then you can click here to go back to the home page and complete the form, or call us on the free phone number above, or email support@ebbornlaw.co.nz.
Assisting Legal Professionals
There is sometimes an expectation from people who contact family lawyers that they will be accepted without question as a government-subsidised client. We understand that many firms don't provide legal aid or FLAS services, or provide it for only a limited quota of clients. We also understand the frustration and disappointment involved when telling someone you can't help, without knowing of another lawyer for them to try.
Ebborn Law specialises in family legal aid and we are a leading provider of FLAS. We work closely with Ministry of Justice-contracted FDR and PTS suppliers. We support our clients by making referrals direct to those suppliers (if desired) and following-up with them after a few months to see how the mediation process went.
Because we use the VLaw™ system, clients can be anywhere in the country: there is no need for them to visit our office. Our case managers and solicitors are trained in conducting interviews and providing advice over audio-visual link. We know it's important you feel assured that we'll take care of clients you refer to us.
Ebborn Law specialises in family legal aid and we are a leading provider of FLAS. We work closely with Ministry of Justice-contracted FDR and PTS suppliers. We support our clients by making referrals direct to those suppliers (if desired) and following-up with them after a few months to see how the mediation process went.
Because we use the VLaw™ system, clients can be anywhere in the country: there is no need for them to visit our office. Our case managers and solicitors are trained in conducting interviews and providing advice over audio-visual link. We know it's important you feel assured that we'll take care of clients you refer to us.
Helping Social Service Providers
VLaw™ is a reliable and safe way for vulnerable people to access legal advice on family matters. Ebborn Law has piloted a direct video link and it has proven so far to be successful. We are keen to build relationships with social service providers, government agencies and community-based organisations who require a holistic, wrap-around service for clients needing to access the family justice system.
Ebborn Law is in negotiation with a variety of agencies about supporting their clients using VLaw™. If you deal with vulnerable people and have trouble finding family lawyers who will provide the Family Legal Advice Service, or Family Legal Aid, then contact Jarrod Coburn on (03) 339 2233 or email here.
Ebborn Law is in negotiation with a variety of agencies about supporting their clients using VLaw™. If you deal with vulnerable people and have trouble finding family lawyers who will provide the Family Legal Advice Service, or Family Legal Aid, then contact Jarrod Coburn on (03) 339 2233 or email here.
