The economic recession is increasing the demand for legal services in the Valley.

So many people are seeking legal help with things like foreclosures and evictions that one local office is having to turn them away.

Blue Ridge Legal Services in Harrisonburg says it is turning away three times as many people this year compared to last year.

The agency says more people are also looking for legal advice to deal with domestic violence issues due to stress.

Executive director John Whitfield says donations are more critical than ever to keep up with the demand.

"People who are having economic hard times suddenly have a host of legal problems that they wouldn't normally have," says Whitfield. "We're seeing a lot more people coming in asking for our assistance, more people who are poor and the poor people are having more legal problems, and so that's just multiplying the request for assistance we're receiving."