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Legal ServicesElder Law✓ Verified
Arcadia, DeSoto County
Last verified: Thursday, October 22, 2026
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) — DeSoto County & DOEA PSA 8 Title III-B Senior Legal Helpline
About This Organization

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) civil legal aid law firm (`Sunbiz Doc# N49255`, founded 1966) and the official Older Americans Act **Title III-B Senior Legal Assistance Provider** contracted with the **Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, Inc. (`DOEA PSA 8`, `Sunbiz Doc# 744232`)** for DeSoto County residents aged 60 and older. Recognized on the official legal aid roster of the **Bar Association of DeSoto County (`desotobar.com`)** and directed by Southwest Florida Regional Managing Attorney Peter Morlu Brima Sao Dennis, Esq. (`Florida Bar #45761`, admitted October 2, 2007; B.A., University of Florida; J.D., New York University School of Law, 2005; `0` disciplinary actions) alongside Senior Tax & Elder Law Attorney Elias Leonard Dsouza, Esq., LL.M. (`Florida Bar #399477`, admitted 2000; LL.M. in Taxation; `0` disciplinary actions), FRLS provides 100% free civil legal representation to Arcadia (`34266`, `34269`), Nocatee (`34268`), Fort Ogden (`34267`), and Lake Suzy (`34266`) seniors in Florida ICP and SMMC Long-Term Care Medicaid appeals, Social Security (`SSI/SSDI`) and Medicare Savings Program denials, heirs' property quiet-title clearing, Hurricane Ian/Milton FEMA and roof-title recovery, Chapter 723 mobile home park eviction and lot-rent defense, simple wills, advance directives, and elder financial exploitation injunctions.

Official Verification Sources: The Florida Bar Member Profile — Peter Morlu Brima Sao Dennis (#45761); Florida Sunbiz Entity — Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (#N49255); Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) Official Website

Verified State & Regulatory Credentials
DOEA PSA 8 Title III-B Senior Legal Aid Provider & The Florida Bar: FL Bar #45761 (Peter M. Dennis, Esq.) & #399477 (Elias L. Dsouza, Esq., LL.M.) | Sunbiz Doc# N49255Status: Active 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Legal Aid Provider & Florida Bar Members in Good Standing (0 Disciplinary Actions)

Issuer: The Florida Bar, FL Dept. of Elder Affairs (PSA 8 — AAASWFL) & Legal Services Corporation

Notes: Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (Sunbiz #N49255) is the designated Older Americans Act Title III-B senior legal provider for DeSoto County under Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (DOEA PSA 8, Sunbiz #744232). Directed by Regional Managing Attorney Peter Morlu Brima Sao Dennis, Esq. (FL Bar #45761, admitted Oct 2, 2007, NYU School of Law J.D.) and Senior Attorney Elias Leonard Dsouza, Esq., LL.M. (FL Bar #399477, admitted 2000). Intake: (888) 582-3410 / (239) 334-4554; FL Senior Legal Helpline: (888) 895-7873. Zero 10-year disciplinary actions.

Services Offered
Free Older Americans Act Title III-B Civil Legal Aid for DeSoto County Seniors (Ages 60+)
Florida SMMC Long-Term Care & ICP Medicaid, Medicare & SSI/SSDI Fair Hearing Appeals
Heirs' Property Title Clearing, Homestead Preservation & Disaster/FEMA Recovery Counsel
Reverse Mortgage Foreclosure, Tax Deed & Chapter 723 Mobile Home Eviction Defense
Simple Wills, Durable Financial Powers of Attorney, Living Wills & Healthcare Surrogates
Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC), Consumer Debt Defense & FL Senior Legal Helpline (1-888-895-7873)
Frequently Asked Questions

Factual details and direct answers about Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) — DeSoto County & DOEA PSA 8 Title III-B Senior Legal Helpline's services, licensing, and credentials.

Do DeSoto County seniors aged 60 and older qualify for free legal aid through Florida Rural Legal Services?

Yes. Under the Older Americans Act Title III-B grant administered with the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida (PSA 8), DeSoto County residents aged 60+ receive free civil legal assistance prioritized for seniors with the greatest social or economic need, with no strict income or asset cutoff for Title III-B elder law services.

How can Arcadia, Nocatee, Fort Ogden, and Lake Suzy seniors reach FRLS or the Senior Legal Helpline?

DeSoto County seniors can call the toll-free FRLS Intake & Senior Helpline at 1-888-582-3410 (or the regional office at (239) 334-4554) Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:00pm, or call the statewide Florida Senior Legal Helpline at 1-888-895-7873 for free telephone legal counsel and Arcadia outreach appointments.

Contact Information
Address
6611 Orion Dr, Suite 201, Fort Myers, FL 33912 (DeSoto County / Arcadia Outreach & Senior Helpline)
Hours
Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm (FL Senior Legal Helpline: 1-888-895-7873)
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Disclaimer: This directory listing is for informational purposes only. Florida Senior Support does not endorse or guarantee the quality of services. Please verify information and services directly with the organization.