The Yuba Sutter Legal Center for Seniors was formed in 1977 after area seniors lobbied for local services which could be funded by the Older Americans Act. In addition to setting up senior meal programs, the group was able to get funding for a senior-only legal center to serve Yuba and Sutter counties.
The Yuba Sutter Legal Center for Seniors provides assistance to senior citizens (60 years old and over) with legal issues that - if not resolved - could cost them their home, income or access to health care. The center reviews and prepares legal documents, explains legal rights and obligations and accompanies seniors to court and advocates for them when necessary. From Social Security and Medi-Cal benefits to restraining orders and landlord tenant law, the center assists seniors in obtaining the protections and benefits they are entitled to.
The Legal Center’s services are free.
Susan Townsend, Directing Attorney for the Yuba-Sutter Legal Center, recounts a case that highlights the life changing impact of the services that the center provides to our local seniors.
She said there was a senior gentleman with a disability who lived with his mother, in the family home, for years until her death. After she was gone no steps were taken to put the home in her son’s name but he continued to pay the mortgage. The lender raised the escrow rate which in turn increased the mortgage payment. The man tried to find out why the rate was increased and what he could do to lower it. The lender refused to give him any information because he was not on the mortgage. Due to his low income, he could not qualify to assume the mortgage.
Things kept getting worse. Because he was unable to pay the higher escrow fees, late charges were applied to the mortgage payments. The amount owed continued to grow and the lender began steps to foreclose on the property. And since he did not own the property, he could not legally contest the foreclosure.
That was when he contacted Yuba-Sutter Legal Center.
Legal Center staff secured a court order putting the property into his name. A local bank agreed to loan him the amount needed to pay off the current mortgage at monthly payments that he could afford. The legal staff obtained an order to delay the foreclosure - just two days before the foreclosure was scheduled to go ahead - until the paperwork for the new mortgage could be finalized. In the end the senior gentleman was able to stay in his home.
Susan Townsend emphasizes that The Yuba Sutter Legal Center is not a branch of an agency based elsewhere. The Legal Center is a local agency, with a local board. All funding is used to provide legal services to seniors in Yuba and Sutter counties at no cost.
When asked how Yuba-Sutter United Way furthers the Legal Center’s mission, Susan said that Yuba-Sutter United Way has provided monetary support that is invaluable. When state funds were held up for months the United Way funds allowed the Legal Center to stay open and continue providing service.
Yuba-Sutter Legal Senior Services is located at 725 D Street, Marysville.
Phone 530-742-8289
Susan Townsend, Directing Attorney
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