The following content is brought to you by Veterans Legal Services’ Education Committee with the generous support of The American College of Bankruptcy Foundation and other supporters. The mission of VLS’s Education Committee is to create and execute a plan that will allow VLS to become the Commonwealth’s authoritative legal information resource for veterans and all who are affected by or deal with veterans’ legal issues. The plan will include sustainable methods for presenting to live audiences and Internet viewers cogent, clear and accessible explanations of relevant legal subjects affecting the lives of veterans along with pathways to practitioners and advocates, VLS included, who can best address their legal needs.
Preparing for Court? RePresent 2.0 is a court simulator app for iOS devices that will help you prepare for your day in civil (not criminal) court! This knowledge building game will allow you to navigate the following issues before you get to court.
An Overview of Service-Connected Disability Compensation
Michelle S. Wolf, Esq.
Owner, Veterans Disability Benefits
Developed in Collaboration with Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, June 10, 2019
VA Claims Step by Step
https://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/docs/claimexam-stepbystep.pdf# A one-page fact sheet outlining the VA claims process.How Much? VA Service-Connected Disability Rates
https://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/resources_comp01.asp Provides amounts payable for VA service-connected disability benefits, including additional amounts for dependents.How to Apply for Service-Connected Disability Compensation
https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/ Provides information on how to apply for service-connected disability compensation online, by mail, or in person.The Compensation and Pension Exam
https://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/claimexam.asp The VA's information on what to expect during the compensation and pension exam.How to Get Help with Your Claim
https://massvetsadvisor.org/ Search by zip code to find your local Veterans Service Officer. https://www.davma.org/services/claims-work/ Disabled American Veterans provides free claims assistance.
An Overview of Child Support for Veterans and Service Providers
Eve C. Elliott, Esq.
Senior Staff Attorney, Veterans Legal Services
Developed in Collaboration with Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education and Operation Money Wise, an initiative of State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg and the Massachusetts Office of Economic Empowerment, May 9, 2019
Child Support Guidelines and Worksheet
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/child-support-guidelines#2018-guidelines,-forms,-and-information- The Court's written guidance on child support and the worksheet used to calculate the amount of support. (Note: you may need to download the worksheet as a PDF and save it for it to open properly.)Tips for Veterans on the Child Support Guidelines
https://veteranslegalservices.org/csguidelines/ VLS's guide for veterans on what you need to know to complete the Child Support Guidelines.Getting and Changing a Child Support Order
https://www.masslegalhelp.org/children-and-families/child-support Provides information about how to modify a child support order.How to Complete the Family Court Financial Statement
https://veteranslegalservices.org/financialstmts/ VLS's guide for veterans on what you need to know to complete the Probate and Family Court's Short Form Financial Statement.Complaint for Support
https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/vc/cjd109.pdf The Court's form for getting a child support order.Complaint for Modification
https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/01/rb/cjd104.pdf The Court's form for modifying child support.Apply for Child Support Services from the State
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-child-support-services Provides information about how to apply for child support services from Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement, including establishing, modifying, or enforcing orders.
Veterans Treatment Court
Hon. Mary Hogan Sullivan (Ret.)
Director of Specialty Courts, District Court Department Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Developed in Collaboration with Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, May 6, 2019
More about the Veterans Treatment Court
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/veterans-treatment-courts Find out more about the Veterans Treatment Court in Massachusetts. Includes links to the Commonwealth's Participate Guide and forms to refer a defendant to the Court.
Sealing of Massachusetts Criminal Records
Thomas R. Capasso, Former Director, Probation Records Unit, Office of the Massachusetts Commissioner of Probation
Developed in Collaboration with Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, November 30, 2018
Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security
http://www.mass.gov/eopss/crime-prev-personal-sfty/bkgd-check/cori/ Provides general information about CORI, as well as links to methods for requesting a CORIMassLegalHelp (for individuals)
http://www.masslegalhelp.org/cori Provides links to comprehensive information for easily understanding CORI, including its role in employment and housing, as well as options for sealing CORIMassLegalServices (for legal aid advocates)
http://www.masslegalservices.org/library-directory/cori Provides a practice area library for CORI and other criminal record-related issues, with links to legal aid training materials, resources, and legislative updates
Estate Planning: Wills, Health Care Proxies, and Powers of Attorney
Kelley A. Crisp, Esq., Associate, Ropes and Gray
Developed in Collaboration with Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, November 30, 2018 with the support of the Office of the Massachusetts State Treasurer’s Operation Money Wise Program
More about Health Care Proxies
https://www.masslegalhelp.org/seniors/health-treatment-wishes-respected Provides more information about Health Care Proxies.Sample Healthcare Proxy Form
http://www.massmed.org/patient-care/health-topics/health-care-proxies-and-end-of-life-care/massachusetts-health-care-proxy---information,-instructions-and-form-(pdf)/ Provides a sample/form health care proxy from the Massachusetts Medical Society.Parental Appointment of a Guardian
https://www.masslegalhelp.org/parental-appointment-of-a-guardian Provides more information about naming someone to take care of your children if you die or are unable to care for them.Joint Ownership and Payable on Death Accounts
https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/personal-finance/estate-plan-pitfalls Provides more information about joint accounts, payable on death accounts, and other ways to transfer assets without going through probate.
Driver’s License Suspensions
Joseph M. Shields, Esq., Board of Appeals on Motor Vehicle Liability Policies and Bonds, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Developed in Collaboration with Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, December 6, 2017
Keeping Your License
https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/12/20/chapter_2.pdf Provides information about how to avoid losing your driving privileges.Mass RMV: Suspension Hearings
https://www.mass.gov/suspension-hearings Provides information about suspension hearings and appeals.Requesting Your Driving Record
http://www.massrmv.com/SuspensionsandHearings/DrivingRecordsDrivingHistory/RequestingaCopyofaDrivingRecordHistory.aspx Provides information about how to request your driving record.
Motor Vehicle Insurance Surcharges
Joseph M. Shields, Esq., Board of Appeals on Motor Vehicle Liability Policies and Bonds, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Developed in Collaboration with Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, December 6, 2017
Bankruptcy
Donald R. Lassman, Esq., Law Offices of Donald R. Lassman, Needham, MA
Developed in Collaboration with Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, June 14, 2017
MassLegalHelp (for individuals)
http://www.masslegalhelp.org/income-benefits/taxes Provides links to comprehensive information for easily understanding personal bankruptcyPro Se/Non-Attorney Debtors Bankruptcy Clinic (for individuals)
http://www.mab.uscourts.gov/mab/pro-se-debtors-bankruptcy-clinic Provides links to comprehensive information from the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts on filing for bankruptcy without an attorney, including clinics hosted at the Court for people filing on their own
Personal Income Tax
T. Keith Fogg, Esq., Visiting Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, Director of the Federal Tax Clinic at Harvard Legal Services Center
Developed in Collaboration with Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, February 27, 2017
MassLegalHelp (for individuals)
http://www.masslegalhelp.org/income-benefits/taxes Provides links to comprehensive information for easily understanding personal income tax issuesVolunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-you-by-volunteers The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $54,000 or less, persons with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.
Credit Card Debt
Hon. Raymond G. Dougan (retired), Boston Municipal Court
Developed in Collaboration with Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, January 11, 2017
MassLegalHelp (for individuals)
http://www.masslegalhelp.org/consumer Provides links to comprehensive information for easily understanding consumer debt issuesAnnualCreditReport.com
https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action Provides free access to an individual's credit reports from each of the three major credit bureausConsumer Financial Protection Bureau
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/search/?selected_facets=category_exact:debt-collection The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is a government agency built to protect consumers. It provides free resources to help consumers make informed financial decisions.General Disclaimer: This website section gives veterans and the public general information about the law. It is not legal advice and is for educational purposes only. The information in the videos is current as of the recording date. To get specific legal advice about your situation, contact a legal professional. Veterans who need legal help can call VLS at 857-317-4474.
Questions or comments about these materials? Email us at legalresources@veteranslegalservices.org. Please note: Veterans Legal Services does not provide legal advice by email.
