PHOTO: Attorney Ben Wells who is donating office space at his Arlington law office for mudslide victims to get free legal advice. Courtesy: Ben Wells

EVERETT, Wash. – No house left, but still a hefty mortgage with plenty of payments left.



That's just one of the legal problems Oso mudslide survivors face, and now the legal community is banding together to help.



Joel Nichols, an attorney who practices in Everett, is organizing pro bono legal assistance for mudslide victims.



He says multiple legal issues need attention right now.



"Even though people have lost their land and home and everything, there's still a mortgage, so negotiating with lenders,” he points out. “People may be needing help with their taxes, if they've lost all their records, you know, how are they going to file their taxes?"



Nichols says more than 80 lawyers from as far away as Portland have already offered to provide free legal advice.



He says a toll free number will soon be available, and in the meantime, those seeking assistance can contact Snohomish County Legal Services.



Nichols says a local attorney, Ben Wells, is making his law office available in Arlington for the free legal consultations.



"You know, there are a lot of people that have lost everything,” he says. “And there are going to be a whole host of legal issues they are going to be grappling with, and we want to be able to provide a place they can go and talk to a lawyer and not have to worry about paying for it."



Nichols adds although there may be a time and a place for addressing liability issues, the free legal clinic will focus on the practical everyday problems.



"Anything and everything from real estate and creditor-debtor issues and probate,” he explains. “Dealing with FEMA applications and insurance claims, all of those things."



The effort is being coordinated by the Snohomish County Bar Association, Snohomish County Legal Services and the Washington State Association for Justice.



Attorneys who would like to volunteer should contact the Snohomish County Bar Association.





