Area senior citizens have the chance to get advice on legal questions through a program that is funded through the Southeastern Minnesota Area on Aging.

The program takes place from 8 a.m. to noon Monday at the Mower County 400 3rd Ave. NE in Austin.

Paulette Anderson, the center's director, said Debi Sinseth comes in from Albert Lea and offers her legal services to those 60 years and older.

"She is the one who handles that. People can come in if they have legal questions and she can advise them where to go for help," Anderson said. "It's called legal aid. People just sign up and make an appointment. She visits with them and kind of advises them what they can do and what their options are."

Sinseth, a paralegal, said the service isn't just limited to senior citizens.

"We don't do estate planning and real estate," she said. "But on the other hand, we have the will advice clinics about once every three months. And we have a private attorney that can meet and advise people. We do a lot. And for the people who aren't seniors, we do have financial guidelines."

Sinseth said her work isn't limited to Austin and Albert Lea.

"We meet with seniors on an individual basis that have legal issues," she said. "For seniors, I cover a four-county area and go to that area once a month. Usually we're pretty full. We set up half-hour appointments."

For information, call the Mower County Senior Citizens Center at 433-2370.

Dan Fields can be reached at 434-2230 or by e-mail at dan.fields@austindailyherald.com