Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc.
 
Serving the Tennessee counties of Shelby, Fayette, Lauderdale and Tipton.
Hablas Espanol? Póngase en contacto con nosotros en el (901) 523-8822.
Mals 40th

Welcome to Memphis Area Legal Services, Inc.’s Website
A Case For Your Support!

Harrison D. McIverMemphis Area Legal Services, Inc. (MALS) entered its fifth decade with the same commitment and determination that inspired 30 members of the legal profession in the wake of Dr. Martin Luther King’s death to coalesce around a shared vision to establish an organization whose single purpose was to provide means by which the legal problems of the poor could be addressed.

Today, MALS continues that tradition of "excellence in legal advocacy," as a non-profit firm geared to provide the highest quality legal assistance possible to the most vulnerable residents of our community.

Even with a dedicated staff, it cannot meet the compelling need today that is more acute because the "justice gap" is widening only compounded by the economic woes of our time. As the recent census reveals that more than 57 million individuals live at or below the poverty line, representing more than a 14 million increase since the 2000 Decennial Census.

Your support for the 2011 Campaign is more crucial today than ever before for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), MALS’ largest funder (40%), is facing a new threat in the 2012 federal budgeting and appropriation processes.

We thank you, our supporters, who softened the blow and impact in 2011. In 2012, your support is being called on once again, as the cornerstone of our democracy - "equal justice under law" - will be undermined, should the proposed cuts occur.

What can you do? Simply, volunteer your time willingly and generously contribute $300.00 minimally, or just give what you are able to give to the 2011 Campaign for Equal Justice, chaired by George T. "Buck" Lewis.

Again, welcome to our website. We hope you find it informative and leave with a better understanding of the various activities and important services we provide our community.
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Client Services

FAMILY AND CHILDREN ISSUES

MALS may be able to help if:

You are a victim of domestic violence and

  • need an Order of Protection or
  • are seeking a divorce where domestic violence has occurred within the past year

MALS may also be able to help if you are:

  • seeking an uncontested divorce where both parties will agree on all issues, including child custody and child support, and neither party has real estate or retirement funds
  • seeking representation in a custody dispute involving your biological child for whom you currently have actual physical custody
  • seeking a divorce and do not know the whereabouts of your spouse
  • seeking assistance or representation regarding a Juvenile Court dependency and neglect action
  • seeking assistance or representation with a termination of parental rights case
  • seeking assistance with a guardianship, conservatorship or emancipation
  • seeking assistance with the adoption of a relative child(ren) placed in your custody

In very limited instances, where both parties want a divorce and have children and property, MALS has a group of volunteer attorneys, mediators and other professionals to assist in working out a settlement.  This is available only for parties who agree that they will NOT litigate but will work toward developing a Marital Dissolution Agreement and Parenting Plan using a collaborative law methodology.

MALS