Westmoreland Bar Association plans free clinic on child custody issues

A free clinic in Greensburg next month is aimed at helping with child custody legal issues and questions, which are among the top reasons people call the Westmoreland Bar Association, according to Executive Director Alahna O’Brien.

Often, those callers can’t afford an attorney or a fee to get a consultation with an association lawyer, she said.

“We want to make sure that the community sees we’re out here and trying to help,” she said.

Appointments are required for the Feb. 9 clinic at the association’s headquarters at 100 N. Maple Ave. O’Brien said a contingent of volunteer lawyers will be on hand to listen to concerns and provide advice during 20-minute consultations.

Westmoreland County has averaged 440 new child custody cases filed annually between 2019 and 2022, according to numbers provided by Prothonotary Gina O’Barto. At the end of 2021, there were 525 cases pending, according to figures from the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.

Anyone involved in a custody complaint can represent themselves, but they also can hire an attorney. Many of the forms are available online.

O’Brien said the association, in November, had a similar clinic addressing landlord- tenant legal issues that was well received.

“We had a lot of good feedback from the community,” she said.

Anyone, regardless of income, can seek out free advice from an attorney during next month’s clinic. The association hopes to have clinics based on certain topics a few times a year.

“We see the need in the community,” O’Brien said.

Anyone who wants to make an appointment should call the association at 724-834-6730.