What to Expect from Free Legal Services

There are legal aid offices located throughout the country. These offices are non-profit agencies that provide FREE legal help to people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. While many offices may help people with only very low incomes, others may be more flexible with income rules.

Legal aid usually handles the following cases:

• domestic violence
• family law (divorce)
• housing (eviction or foreclosure help)
• public benefits (problems with food stamps, Medicaid, SSI, Social Security, etc.)
• may be able to help with immigration, consumer or disability issues

Legal aid does not  handle the following cases:

• medical malpractice
• car accident cases or traffic violation cases
• criminal cases

What can I expect from my legal aid lawyer?

Legal aid lawyers have the same qualifications as other lawyers. Everything you share with your lawyer is not shared with anyone outside of the legal aid office. Since no information about you is shared, you should always tell your lawyer the truth.

If I do not qualify for legal aid, where do I go?

• volunteer lawyer project
• a free legal workshop
• self-help clinic
• local law school