New York State Bar Association will provide free legal consultations and advice for flood victims

ALBANY — Victims of devastating floods affecting 20 counties, including Orange County, can get free legal consultation from volunteer lawyers. According to a press release issued by New York State Bar Association President Vincent E. Doyle, attorneys will be available to answer questions about insurance, property disputes, landlord-tenant matters and general legal matters, such as replacing a missing will or other documents. The State Bar’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) is coordinating the program. Flood victims seeking legal advice should call LRIS at 1-800-342-3661. Callers will be given the name and telephone number of a volunteer attorney. Callers will receive a free 30-minute consultation, either in-person or by telephone. The LRIS puts New Yorkers in touch with lawyers and local bar referral services, legal aid societies, legal service programs, state agencies and mediation groups. It serves 44 counties throughout the state and receives more than 15,000 calls each year. The federal government has declared 20 counties disaster areas. They include Albany, Clinton, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Greene, Montgomery, Nassau, Orange, Otsego, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Ulster, Warren and Westchester counties.