Rockwall County residents can talk to a lawyer for free on Wednesday, Nov. 4, through a virtual legal clinic run entirely by phone.

The clinic, first reported by the Rockwall County Herald-Banner, will offer appointments from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Attorneys will cover civil legal matters including family law, landlord-tenant disputes, eviction, wills, estate planning, probate, bankruptcy and consumer debt collection. Help with expunctions, nondisclosures, driver license restoration, name changes, foreclosure prevention and affidavits of heirship will also be available.

Slots are limited.

Residents must register by Friday, Oct. 30. To request an appointment, call Rheana Whelchel, a representative with Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, at (817) 339-5371, extension 2021, or Tamara Duncan at (817) 339-5330. Callers should leave their name, phone number, preferred callback time and a brief description of their legal issue. A Legal Aid representative will return the call to arrange a specific appointment time on Nov. 4.

The clinic is open to residents of both Rockwall and Hunt counties, according to the Herald-Banner. Applicants must meet financial and other eligibility requirements. According to Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, the service covers civil law matters only, not criminal cases or personal injury. Residents who receive SNAP, Medicaid, public or subsidized housing, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or WIC likely qualify. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, though exceptions may apply for certain visa cases. Anyone who needs legal help is encouraged to apply.

Legal Aid of Northwest Texas is the fifth-largest legal aid program in the country, serving 114 Texas counties with nearly 200 attorneys on staff. The organization provides free civil legal help to low-income residents including veterans, victims of violence, minimum-wage earners and retirees on fixed incomes.

The Rockwall County Bar Association, Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, LSC/America's Partner for Equal Justice and the Legal Services Corporation are sponsoring the clinic.

To register before the Oct. 30 deadline, call Whelchel at (817) 339-5371, extension 2021, or Duncan at (817) 339-5330.