Tip of the Month
Since April 2006, VLN volunteers have been receiving the popular “Tip of the Month,” a short summary of an area of law (often new) that we think our volunteers will find useful.
Click here to suggest a new Tip of the Month!
2015 – 2014 – 2013 – 2012 – Archives
2019
April – Service of Process Changes for Family and Civil Cases
March – How to Read a Register of Actions (ROA) for Criminal Expungement Purposes
February – Working with Gender Diverse Clients
Click here for the Fact Sheet: GUIDE TO WORKING WITH GENDER DIVERSE CLIENTS
January – Car Title Transfers for Private Sales
Click here for the Fact Sheet: HOW TO SELL A USED CAR TO A PERSON
Click here for the Fact Sheet: WHAT YOU CAN DO IF YOU SOLD A CAR
BUT THE BUYER DIDN’T TRANSFER THE TITLE
2018
December – Understanding the Proposed Rule Change for Public Charge: “What do I tell my client?”
November – Holiday Spending
October – Working with Interpreters
September – Volunteer Resources
August – Criminal Expungement in Minnesota — Quick Reference Guide
July – Minnesota’s New Parenting Expense Adjustment in Calculating Child Support
June – “Legal Check-ups,” Family Preparedness and Transmitting Hope
May – Help with Common Challenges at Legal Clinics
April – Creating an Electronic Filing and Service (eFS) Account for Individual Attorneys with a Pro Bono-Only Practice
March – First Meeting with a Bankruptcy Client
February-DACA Renewal Update
January-The Cold Weather Rule Update
2017
December-Statutes of Limitation, Statutes of Repose and Notice Requirements – At a Glance
November-There is no such thing as “judgment-proof.”
October-Credit Reports & the Equifax Breach
September-Current Information about the DACA Program and DACA Renewal Help
August-Important Information about Passports and Passports for Minor Children
July-Communication in the Landlord-Tenant Relationship
June-The Essential Skills for Counseling and Problem Solving at Clinics
Click here to read the full manual, updated June 2017
May-CLE Credit for Pro Bono Representation through VLN
April-Family Preparedness Toolkit – Minnesota
March-Travel Ban Update
February-Becoming an Emeritus Pro Bono Attorney through VLN
January-Post Election Advice for the Refugee and Immigrant Communities
2016
December-Understanding Stress at a Stressful Time of Year
November-Filing Claims in Conciliation Court
October-Family Court Guardians ad Litem – Knowing the Basics
September-Criminal Expungement in Minnesota
August – VLN Staff Directory
July – Case Handling Protocols
June – CLE Credit for Pro Bono
May – Using Google Voice to Connect and Communicate with Clients
April – Working With Interpreters
March – Eviction Expungements and Referrals
February – How to Appeal a Contested Conciliation Court Judgment to District Court in Hennepin County
January – 10 Years of the VLN Tip of the Month
2015
December – Representing Clients who have a Mental Illness
November – Cold Weather Rule
October – Working with Undocumented Clients
September – Immigration: Status of the 11/20/2014 Executive Orders
August – Notary Requirements for Court Documents
July – The Impact of Race on Pro Bono Services
June – Criminal Expungement Document Assembly Tool
May – Introduction to Financial Coaching
April – Pawned Property in Bankruptcy
March – Cancellation of Debt
February – Vacate Default Judgments in Hennepin County Conciliation Court
January – Attorney – Social Worker Collaboration
2014
December – Unpaid Wage Claims
November – Using the New Criminal Expungement Law
October – Helping Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence Obtain and Retain Safe and Affordable Rental Housing
September – Unaccompanied Minors and Accelerated Immigration Court Procedures
August – Conciliation Court Update
July – DACA Renewal Applications
June – Criminal Expungement Law Update
May – Legal Resources & eTools on MN Court Websites
April – Brief Focused Assessments in Hennepin County Family Court
March – Minnesota Property Tax Refund for Renters and Homeowners
February – Helping Victims of Identity Theft
January – The Case for Legal Services
2013
December – Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
November – Eviction Service Requirements
October – Contempt Proceedings in Family Court
September – Changes in Minnesota Foreclosure Law
August – Assigned Consumer Debt Default Judgments
July – Emergency Relief in Family Court
June – CLE Credit for Pro Bono
May – Working with Pro Bono Clients Wiki
April – Emertis Attorney Program
March – Online Intake
February – Basics of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
January – Filing Criminal Expungments as a VLN Volunteer
2012
December – VLN Clinics Wiki
November – Bankruptcy and Family Law
October – New IFP/Fee Waiver Procedures in the 4th Judicial District
September – Assisting in Collections Lawsuits
August – Mandatory eFile and eServe
July – Immigration Terms
June – Statutes of Limitations, Statutes of Repose and Notice Requirements – At A Glance
May – Immigration Based Affidavits of Support in Family Court
April – Changes to Minnesota Rules of Family Court
March – Helping Victims of Domestic Violence Escape Dangerous Rental Housing
February – General Civil Clinic Resources Index
January – Tax Refund Interception on Account of Discharged Debt