Legal Aid WA offers help to victims of Denmark, Wheatbelt fires

As communities continue to pick up the pieces after devastating bushfires tore through parts of Denmark and the Wheatbelt, Legal Aid WA is offering free legal advice to help locals on the long road to recovery.

A member of the State Welfare Emergency Committee, Legal Aid WA has helped people who have lost homes, belongings and suffered damage to their properties in the Rolestyone, the Perth Hills and Yarloop bushfires.

People affected by this week’s devastating fires can access free legal help to make insurance claims, deal with disputes, mortgage stress and financial hardship, housing/tenancy complications and the replacement of important documents.

LAWA civil law director Gemma Mitchell said it would be a very stressful time for residents who have lost their homes or been affected by the bushfires.

“Understandably legal matters are usually not their first priority, they’re more concerned about loss of life, injury, whereabouts of pets and loss of property,” she said.

“However, in the days and weeks that follow, legal issues do arise.

“Legal Aid WA will be there to help with issues including insurance disputes, replacing destroyed fences, replacing destroyed documents like wills and titles, and tenancy and mortgage payments on fire-damaged properties.”

Call 1300 650 579 or email naturaldisasters@legalaid.wa.gov.au.