Legal Resources
Even if they’ve never used a lawyer’s services before, many older people (regardless of income) can benefit from the assistance of a lawyer trained in Elder Law.
Elder Law attorneys can help with:
- Retirement planning
- Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid issues
- Wills, trusts, and estate planning
- Competency and Guardianship issues
- Long term care insurance
- Long term care planning
- Advance directives (health care proxy, living wills, etc.)
It is important to plan for the future, make sure your wishes are respected, and protect yourself and your assets. Many of the agencies listed here offer reduced cost or “pro bono” (free) services for seniors.
For some kinds of dispute resolution, such as landlord/tenant disputes or consumer complaints, mediation services can be a good alternative to a lawyer. There are many agencies with professionally trained staff who offer reduced cost or “pro bono” mediation services.
Agencies serving Brookline Elders:
Brookline Council on Aging
93 Winchester Street, Brookline, MA 02446
617-730-2777
- Local attorneys are available one morning a month (currently the first Wednesday) at the Brookline Senior Center to offer individuals expertise on matters of law as well as information and referral.
- There is no charge for this service and no appointment is necessary.
- The Council on Aging also has a list of local attorneys who serve elderly clients. For information, please call 617-730-2777.
63 Fountain Street, Suite 304, Framingham, MA
508-620-1830 or 800-696-1501
- Free legal services for Brookline, Belmont, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, Wellesley and Weston seniors 60 and older.
One West Street, Cambridge, MA
617-661-1010
www.clsacc.org
11 Beacon Street, Suite 925, Boston, MA
800-872-9992
www.dlc-ma.org
- Provides legal advocacy and assistance to disabled Massachusetts residents with disability related problems. DLC does not provide assistance with general legal issues such as divorce or estate planning.
197 Friend Street, Boston, MA
617-371-1234
www.gbls.org
- Provides legal services to low income individuals and families.
781-647-5327
- Access to free civil legal services for low income individuals throughout Greater Boston
- Jewish Family and Children’s Services/ Bet Tzedek (continued)
- Bet Tzedek Pro Bono Legal Services for low-income clients handles a variety of practice areas, including Housing, Family Law, Public Benefits, Consumer Law, Domestic Violence, Elder Law, and Probate Law.
- Bet Tzedek Legal Services does not handle criminal matters, malpractice claims, or personal injury cases. They also provide services for SNAP issues.
617-603-1700 or 1-800-342-LAWS (5297) (hotlines)
617-603-1705 (administrative)
www.larcma.org
- Telephone information and referral service.
800-342-5297
www.masslegalhelp.org
- Free information and referral services for Massachusetts Seniors
885 Centre Street, Newton, MA
617-552-0623
www.shelterlegalservices.org
- Provides free legal assistance to homeless and low income individuals.
617-651-2357 (intake line)
- Free legal assistance for low income seniors to have an attorney write up a will, health care proxy or power of attorney. You must be income and asset eligible.
Mediation Services
888-243-5337
- Staffed by senior volunteers who provide information and dispute resolution around a variety of topics including: consumer complaints, debt collection practices, health insurance, home improvement, and telemarketing.
60 Gore Street, Suite 202, Cambridge, MA
617-876-5376
www.communitydispute.org
- Professionally trained mediators provide an alternative way to resolve conflicts. Mediators can provide assistance around issues involving family conflicts related to elder care, housing and neighborhood conflicts, workplace conflicts, divorce/separation, and consumer/commercial disputes.
- Services are confidential and cost is determined on a sliding scale (based an individual’s income).
Brookline Center for Community Mental Health
617-241-0300
joshua.jacks@metromediation.org
www.brooklinecenter.org/services/metropolitan-mediation-services
- Free professional mediation services around family matters, neighborhood disputes, inter-business conflicts, workplace conflicts, health care provider/client conflicts.
- Referrals for assistance are accepted from individuals, courts, or other community agencies.
617-796-1292
- Provides professional mediation services via telephone to consumers who have a dispute with a Massachusetts business.
- All services are confidential and free of charge.
- Office works in cooperation with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.
Attorneys (alphabetical order)
60 Austin Street, Suite 210, Newtonville, MA 02460
617-340-3231
Attorney@DangerLaw.com
www.dangerlaw.com
1318 Beacon St. Suite 19, Brookline MA 02446
617-277-3774
www.ivkdlaw.com
1320 Centre St, Suite 305, Newton MA 02458
617-658-2980
www.lanniklaw.com
1309 Beacon St. 2nd floor, Brookline, MA 02446
617-738-1919
www.wadehorowitz.com
- Practice includes legal planning for LGBT+ individuals and families.
Support Disclaimer: Inclusion of services on this website does not represent a recommendation from the Brookline Council on Aging, the Brookline Senior Center, or the Brookline Community Aging Network.
Disclaimer: Inclusion of services through this program does not represent a recommendation or guarantee of work performance from the Brookline Council on Aging, the Brookline Senior Center, or the Brookline Community Aging Network. The user of this program therefore agrees to release the above named from any and all liability. The user should make whatever investigation or other resources that they deem necessary or appropriate before hiring or engaging Service Providers.