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Cancer can sometime bring up a number of legal issues for a caregiver and their loved one to consider.

We’re here to help you find the services and resources you need. Attend one of the free UNC Cancer Pro Bono Legal Clinics, look through the resources listed, or call the CCSP Patient Assistance Coordinator at the Patient Family Resource Center (984) 974-8100 for other legal concerns.

The UNC Cancer Pro Bono Legal Clinic

This is a free service by appointment that helps cancer patients and their caregivers to prepare legal documents that are important to future health care planning. Having documents in place , if it happens that you become too ill to express your wishes, will help your health care team and your loved ones care for you in a way that is consistent with your wishes and values. Specially trained law students and volunteer attorneys help patients with preparing Advanced Directives, including Health Care Powers of Attorney and Living Will. Our legal clinic can also help prepare a Durable Power of Attorney (also known as a General Power of Attorney.)

  • Health Care Power of Attorney: A Health Care Power of Attorney allows you to choose someone you trust to make health care decisions for you, if you are unable to make decisions yourself.
  • Living Will: If you become too ill to express your wishes, a Living Will is a way to tell your health care team and your loved ones your wishes for the type of care you want to receive at the end of life.
  • A Durable Power of Attorney allows you to choose someone you trust to help you manage your personal business affairs, such as banking, managing your property, and managing employment and government.

Resources

Advance Care Planning

Legal Aid of North Carolina

Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide, nonprofit law firm that provides free legal free legal help to low-income North Carolinians in civil cases involving basic human needs like safety, shelter, income and more. To apply for services in your area, contact their Help Line at 1-866-219-LANC (5262). Visit the Legal Aid of North Carolina website for more information.

Cancer Legal Resource Center

The Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC) is a national, voluntary, non-profit, joint program of the Disability Rights Legal Center and Loyola Law School Los Angeles. The CLRC provides free information and resources on cancer-related legal issues to cancer survivors, caregivers, health care professionals, employers, and others coping with cancer. The CLRC has a national, toll-free telephone assistance line where callers can receive free and confidential information about relevant laws and resources for their particular situation. Call (866) 843-2572 or (212) 736-1455 for more information.

The Patient Legal Handbook

The Patient Legal Handbook covers work, medical leave of absence, health insurance, appealing denials, paying bills, and end of life decision making. This handbook from the Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC) is a staff favorite and is available as an English language handbook and Spanish language handbook.

Patient Advocate Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation is a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides professional case management services to Americans with chronic, life-threatening and debilitating illnesses. The organization’s managers serve as active liaisons between the patient and their insurer, employer and/or creditors to resolve insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters as they relate to their diagnosis.  Patient Advocate Foundation seeks to safeguard patients through effective mediation, assuring access to care, maintenance of employment and preservation of financial stability. For more information, please call 1-800-532-5274.

Understanding Legal Matters

American Cancer Society

Legal rights that may come up during treatment. Learn more about Advance Directives and Informed Consent.