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Legal Services Of Southern Missouri

Providing Equal Access to Justice for more than 40 Years.

Serving low-income and elderly people in forty-three counties across southern Missouri!

Legal Services of Southern Missouri (LSSM) is one of four legal services organizations in Missouri funded primarily by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). LSC is a private, not-for-profit corporation created by an Act of Congress to ensure low-income people have equal access to the courts nationwide.

Practice Area

Domestic/Sexual Violence

We care about victims of domestic and sexual violence. LSSM provides service to adult and child victims of abuse, sexual assault, stalking and human trafficking. Our primary focus is securing orders of protection and safety planning.

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Consumer

LSSM assistance ensures that issues such as debt collection and lending practices are done in a lawful manner. LSSM may handle cases such as: bankruptcy, debt collection issues, predatory lending issues, contract issues, and unfair or deceptive sales practices.

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Public Benefits

LSSM provides representation in federal and state administrative hearings to protect the basic necessities of life. These may include: Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, unemployment compensation, TANF/Temporary Assistance, and Missouri Health Net Managed Care Advocacy.

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Community Education/ Outreach

LSSM provides public education and outreach services to partnering agencies and community groups upon request. LSSM covers a variety of topics including: agency information, domestic / sexual violence, family, consumer, housing, public benefits, and elder law.

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Family

LSSM handles some family law matters where the situation may threaten the security or the viability of a family. LSSM may handle the following types of cases: paternity, adoption, name change, and guardianship.

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Housing

LSSM may provide representation to ensure that landlords follow proper procedures in dealing with tenants. LSSM may represent tenants with the following types of cases: lease agreement dispute, landlord lockouts, poor living conditions and public housing issues.

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Elder Law

LSSM may provide assistance with wills, estate planning, and probate matters in limited situations. Simple estate planning may include beneficiary deeds, powers of attorney, and health care directives. We may also provide assistance with guardianships for those who need protection.

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Expungement
Expungement

LSSM provides assistance with expunging or closing an arrest record. These criminal records can be viewed by the public, including potential employers. If you have arrests, charges, or convictions in Missouri we may be able to assist you.

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Legal Information and Forms

The four Missouri Legal Services organizations provide basic legal information for the public.

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EdRights App
EdRights App

The EdRights App provides easily accessible know-your-rights information on school access and school discipline for parents and K-12 students, including unaccompanied youth.

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MyFreeTaxes.com
MyFreeTaxes.com

MyFreeTaxes.com is a stand-alone website that helps eligible taxpayers do their tax returns for free while receiving assistance, if needed; since 2009, more than 1.2 million taxpayers have taken advantage of this service.

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Latest News

LSSM News
Legal Services of Southern Missouri Appoints Steve Kellogg as Executive Director
January 11, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE With a long-standing history of supporting civil legal rights, the organization aims to expand its capacity, advocacy, and outreach endeavors to ensure equal access to justice for...

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Advance child tax credit payments
Advance child tax credit payments begin on July 15, 2021
June 25, 2021

Learn more about the child tax credit through the Internal Revenue Service and whether you are eligible.

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Branson 4 Team
Cup of Justice Golf Tournament A Success
September 22, 2020

On Monday September 21st LSSM hosted its annual Cup of Justice golf tournament which happened to fall on one of the most beautiful days of the year. It was hosted...

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