FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Q: What are your business hours?
A: Our office is open Monday to Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm, except on Government of Guam holidays. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our Contact Info page.  

Q: Is your office open after a disaster?
A: We follow similar procedures to the Government of Guam. Please check our social media for the latest updates on closures or reopening.

Q: Is GLSC-DLC a government agency?
A: No. GLSC-DLC is a non-profit organization. It is also the designated Protection and Advocacy agency for individuals with disabilities on Guam.
                                                                                                  
Q: Is your office ADA accessible?
A: Yes.

Q: Do you provide interpreters?
A: Yes, we do. Please request interpreter services ahead of time so we can make arrangements.

Q: What if I can’t sign documents?
A: We can use other methods, like a thumbprint. We’ll go over the options with you to find what works best.

Q: What kind of services do you provide?
A: Please visit the “What We Do” tab on our website and click on Programs to see the services we offer.

Q: Am I eligible for your services?
A: It depends on your situation and the program:
For Protection and Advocacy programs (P&A), your issue must be related to your disability. We also consider:

• the type of help you need 
• how the issue affects your life, health, or safety 
• and whether there are other programs that can help you.  

Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant program, you must be a:

• victim of a crime and the help you need must relate to that crime;
• the parent/legal guardian of a crime victim who is under 18.      

Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) grant program, you must be:

• A victim of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, or dating violence;
• Seeking legal assistance related to abuse
• Financially eligible

Q: What is the process to apply for services?
A:

• You can apply by calling, emailing, or visiting our office.
• We will ask you some pre-screening questions and check for any conflicts of interest
• If there is no conflict, an advocate will contact you to schedule an intake interview.
• After the interview, our attorney will review your case to decide if we can accept it.
• If we accept your case, we will prepare the necessary documents, set up a consultation with our attorney, and file any court paperwork if needed.
• If necessary, a hearing will be scheduled.

Q: Do I have to go to court?
A: In many cases, you may need to appear in court, either in person or through Zoom. However, for certain matters—like Powers of Attorney or some advocacy cases—you may not need to go to court.

Q: Are there limits to who we can help?
A: Yes. When we review your case, we consider several factors, including:

• How urgent or serious the issue is, especially if it affects your life, health, or safety
• Whether you are able to speak up or act on your own behalf
• Whether we have enough resources (like staff, funding, or expertise) to help you
• How likely it is that your issue can be resolved successfully
• If other community services might be better suited to help with your situation

Q: Are there any types of cases you do not handle?  
A: Yes. We cannot help with the following types of cases:

• Issues not directly related to a person’s disability (except in protective/restraining order cases)
• Cases where the person already has an attorney for the same issue
• Criminal law matters
• Legal issues that happen outside of Guam
• Worker’s compensation cases
• General medical malpractice and personal injury cases
• General consumer and bankruptcy issues
• Cases that go against the wishes of the person with the disability
• Cases where the main goal is to get money (fee-generating lawsuits)

Q: I was told your office is not able to assist me because of a conflict of interest. Where else can I get help?
A: If we can’t assist you because of a conflict of interest, we may refer you to:

• Guam Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service
• Civil Law Center
• Elder Justice Center
• Micronesian Legal Services Corporation
• The Superior Court of Guam, where you can represent yourself (Pro Se)

Q: Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to receive services?
A: No. There is no citizenship requirement to receive our services.

Q: Do I have to be a resident of Guam to receive services?
A: No, you do not need to be a resident, but you must be physically on Guam to quality for services.

Q: Do I have to pay for your services?
A: You do not have to pay for our services. However, you may still need to pay for certain costs like court filing fees, publication fees, or document service fees. Where possible, we will ask for a waiver or reduction of those fees on your behalf.

Q: What kinds of staff provide services at GLSC-DLC?
A: Our team includes attorneys, advocates, and administrative staff who work together to support and assist our clients.

Q: Can the intake interviews be conducted via phone or video?
A: Yes, when appropriate. We can conduct interviews by phone or video if needed based on your situation.

Q: If I cannot come to the office, does your organization conduct home visits?
A: Under the P&A Programs, if your physical disability prevents you from coming to the office.

Q: What kind of power of attorney (POA) does your office help with?
A: We help with a durable power of attorney. This type of POA allows someone (called the attorney-in fact) to take specific actions on behalf of another person (the principal), even if the principal becomes unable to make decisions due to a mental or physical condition.

Q: Will a Power of Attorney (POA) document still work for my family if I am deceased?
A: No, the power of attorney ends when the person who gave it (the principal) passes away.

Q: What is the difference between a Power of Attorney (POA) and Legal Guardianship of an adult?
A: A Power of Attorney (POA) is a legal document where a person (called the principal) gives someone they trust (the attorney-in-fact) permission to help with things like cashing checks, managing bank accounts, or applying for benefits. The principal still makes their own decisions, and the court is not involved. The document is signed in front of a notary.

Legal guardianship is different. It’s for adults who cannot make decisions for themselves—usually about health or money. The court must approve the guardianship. The guardian makes decisions for the person (called the ward) and must follow rules like filing yearly reports and taking a training called WINGS which stands for Working Interdisciplinary Networks of Guardianship Stakeholders. This training needs to be done within 90 days after the Guardianship is granted.


Q: When can I apply for legal guardianship for an adult with a disability?
A: You can apply 30 days before the person’s 18^th birthday.

Q: How long does the process take for legal guardianship of an adult with a disability?
A: It depends on the case. After you submit your applications, it typically takes 2-3 months or longer, depending on the case.

Q: Can your office assist with a living will?
A: Yes, our office can assist with a living will.

Q: What is a living will?
A: A living will, also known as a type of advanced directive, is a document that lets you say what kind of medical care you want if you become too sick or injured to make decisions for yourself.

Q: Can your office assist with a last will and testament?
A: Unfortunately, no. We do not assist with last wills and testaments.
 
Q: What can I do if my child’s special education services are not being met by the school?
A: You may contact our office for assistance.

Q: What can I do if I am experiencing issues or barriers with physical accessibility?
A: You may contact our office for assistance.

Q: What can I do if I was discriminated against at work due to my disability?
A: You may contact our office for assistance.

Q: What kind of disability related cases do you take?
A:

• Abuse and Neglect (in group homes, facilities, schools)
• Special Education
• Legal Guardianships of Adults
• Disability and Employment Discrimination
• Power of Attorney
• Transportation and Housing Access
• Access to Public Programs and Services
• Public Benefits, like Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) overpayments and denials
• Health Care Access