Looking for free legal advice? Call 1-800-ATTORNEY (1-800-288-6763)!
We’ve found that people often have a fear regarding lawyers and what they charge for their services. There’s a misconception regarding how much you’re expected to pay to get legal services from a law firm. In fact, there’s so much misinformation out there that most people don’t realize that it’s possible to get free and low-cost legal help in many cases.
24-Hour Free Legal Help Hotline
If you have a pressing legal issue, call 1-800-ATTORNEY today to discuss the facts of your case with a lawyer (calls accepted 24/7).
Whether your case involves personal injury law (such as an automobile accident), criminal law, business law, family law, etc., your best bet is always going to be finding a local lawyer who offers free consultations.
When you call 1-800-ATTORNEY (1-800-288-6763), you’ll be connected with an attorney in your area who’s familiar with the laws in your state, who’s willing to listen to your concerns, and who can explain the options available to you moving forward. Calls are answered 24 hours a day!
Free Legal Advice
Free legal advice is available to those in need, typically in the form of free consultations. Though not every attorney offers such a service, many qualified attorneys will meet with you for free, particularly if you were injured or lost a loved one due to the negligence of another person and need help seeking compensation. This allows anyone, regardless of their ability to pay, to get the legal help they need when they need it. The best part about free legal advice in initial consultations is that you are under no obligation to proceed, but if you choose to do so, your lawyer will arrange to take payment from you only from your final payout if they are able to secure one for you. If you do not get a settlement or award, you will typically owe nothing for the legal services you received. If you do owe a fee, you won’t have to pay it until you get your funds. You will never have to pay anything out of pocket. Your current financial status does not have to be a barrier to getting the best legal support possible!
Where to Find Free Legal Advice
The best way to find free legal advice is on a site like this one, with all the information you need in one place. You can call 1-800-ATTORNEY right now to connect with a professional who can help guide you through your legal troubles. If you are dealing with a car wreck, wrongful death, or some other type of personal injury matter, you can get a free consultation scheduled immediately.
Legal Aid Organizations
There are many organizations available to help people who might need other types of legal help outside of the realm of personal injury. These organizations also typically do not handle criminal cases. They generally help with civil matters ranging from employment discrimination to child custody battles.
Legal aid organizations are non-profit entities offering free legal services to qualifying low-income individuals. The staff consists of lawyers, law students, and paralegals. The most well-known non-profit legal services include:
- Legal Aid Society: These societies are the primary providers of free legal services. They operate in many locations, such as New York City, San Diego, and Middle Tennessee. LAS serves individuals and families.
- American Bar Association’s Pro Bono Program: Clients ask volunteer lawyers questions. This program is available online and as a walk-in clinic.
- The National Legal Aid & Defendant Association: NLADA is the largest and oldest free legal service organization. The non-profit has delivered legal counsel to those who can’t afford it since 1911.
- Volunteer Lawyers Project: Many local and state bar associations sponsor these projects. Lawyers volunteer their time to address legal matters.
- National Immigration Legal Services Directory: Immigrants needing free or low-cost legal aid can search this directory. You can find service providers nationwide. A few locations include Arizona, Florida, and Texas.
Congress created the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in 1974. The LSC provides funding for legal aid organizations. To date, over 132 free legal aid programs across the United States. This initiative helps those with low income gain access to legal counsel.
You can use these services if you meet the income eligibility rule. The Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) determine qualification. Here’s an example of the federal income levels as of 2023 based on the number of household members:
- One individual: $14,580
- Two individuals: $19,720
- Three individuals: $24,860
Your household income must be at or below 125% of the FPG to qualify. Suppose you’re the only person living in your home. In this case, 125% of the FGP is $18,225. You will qualify for free legal aid if your annual income doesn’t exceed that amount.
Pro Bono Services
Pro bono is the abbreviated Latin term “for the public good.” Pro bono services refer to professional services provided for free to citizens in need. Many lawyers and law firms take on a certain number of pro bono cases per year. They volunteer their time to help individuals with limited financial resources. This is their way of giving back to the community they work in. Here are a few resources where you can access some pro bono legal services:
- Local Bar Associations: You can find many bar associations on the local and state levels. They maintain a database of pro bono lawyers. The associations connect qualifying individuals to attorneys willing to handle their cases.
- Law School Clinics: Law students sometimes provide free legal services. They work under the supervision of experienced attorneys. Law schools operate these clinics on-site. They address areas of law, such as immigration, family law, or housing disputes.
- Public Defender’s Office: Are you facing criminal charges? Can’t afford an attorney? The court will appoint a public defender or a court-appointed lawyer for your case.
- Social Service Agencies: Some agencies cater to specific groups. These people include the elderly, children, or abuse survivors. In most cases, social services have access to lawyers who offer pro bono services.
- Local Law Firms: Some law firms run pro bono programs. You visit the office, call them, or check out their websites. They can tell you about their pro bono services.
Types of Legal Issues Covered
Legal issues run the gamut. The law generally falls under two categories: civil and criminal. Civil matters involve disputes between individuals or organizations with alleged harm or injury. Civil matters include family law, contract disputes, and personal injuries. Criminal cases have to do with a person or entity accused of committing a crime. In these cases, the state or federal government brings charges. Most of the time, free legal services are available for civil matters, because if you face criminal charges, a public defender can be appointed to represent you, as is your right under the law.
- Family Law: Assisting with divorce, child custody, and domestic violence cases.
- Housing Law: Representing those with landlord-tenant disputes, eviction, and housing discrimination issues.
- Employment Law: Handling wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, and wage disputes.
- Immigration Law: Advocating for immigrants needing help with visa and citizenship applications.
- Consumer Rights: Working on debt collection, consumer fraud, and bankruptcy filings.
- Criminal Defense Litigation: Undertaking criminal cases that public defenders handle.
Of course, these don’t include the full spectrum of legal practice areas. If you aren’t sure or have more questions about what kind of legal help you need, call us anytime.
How to Prepare for Your Free Legal Consultation
A free initial consultation is your chance to discuss your case in detail and get advice on how best to proceed. You will likely speak to a licensed lawyer, but in some cases you may speak to a law student or paralegal. The point of this conversation is to share as much information as possible with the attorney so they can best determine if and how they can help. The more details you share at your consultation, the better they can serve you.
You get the most out of the consultation when you prepare beforehand. Here are examples of documents to bring to your meeting, depending on the nature of your case:
- Identity Verification: Driver’s license, passport, or any photo ID
- Legal Paperwork: Court notices, restraining orders, and contracts
- Correspondence: Emails, letters, and texts
- Financial Statements: Pay stubs, bills, and tax returns
- Investigative Documents: Police reports, accident reports, and witness statements
- Medical Records: Physical exams, x-rays, lab results, doctor notes, and treatment plans
- Workplace Records: Employment contracts, policy manual, paystubs, performance evaluations, and layoff notices
Make sure you gather and organize the relevant documentation prior to your appointment. Your preparation doesn’t stop there, however. You should also write down any questions you have about your case so you won’t forget to ask everything you want to know when the time comes for your meeting.
You should also take notes during your consultation. If you are unable to do so, ask if you can record the session for future reference. Remember, you are there to get advice, guidance, and instruction. Retaining the information you gain from this meeting is crucial.
Though it may be difficult to talk about your legal woes, you must keep your conversation open and honest. A lawyer cannot help you if you do not give them the full story. Do not leave any details out, even if you think they are not relevant.
Preparation lends to a productive free legal aid consultation. This upfront work fosters clear communication and an accurate case evaluation which will lay out the path forward for you from there.
Questions to Ask During Your Consultation
Asking questions serves several purposes during a consultation. One, it helps you understand complex legal topics. Two, you can gauge the attorney’s knowledge level. Third, your questions help build rapport with the attorney. Finally, your inquiries can lead to more in-depth, comprehensive advice. Let’s dive into what you can ask. Below is a list of helpful questions you should ask to better understand your situation and what you can do about it.
- What are my legal rights and obligations in this situation? This helps you understand the scope of your situation and what to expect going forward.
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case? This question helps shape your legal strategy. Identifying strong points and potential problems from the start also sets realistic expectations.
- What are the potential outcomes of my case? There are many paths your case can take. The primary outcomes involve settlements, court trials, or alternative dispute resolution. This will also depend largely on what kind of matter you are dealing with.
- What is the timeline for resolving this issue?: Legal actions last weeks, months, or longer. If you can get an estimate of the duration, it may help you maintain patience as the process unfolds.
- Are there any potential costs or fees involved?: Even when legal advice or services are free, you may incur other costs you need to know about, or your lawyer may require payment at the time your case resolves.
- How will you keep me updated on my case?: You’ll want to stay in the loop on the status of your case. Find out the best way to communicate with your attorney. Find out if your lawyer prefers phone calls, emails, or face-to-face meetings. Also, find out how often it makes sense for you to follow up.
- Is there anything I can do to improve the outcome of my case? One innocent mistake can hurt your case. For instance, talking about the case on social media can have detrimental effects on the outcome of your case. Your attorney can tell you which actions you should or should not take.
Think of you and your legal representative as partners. The right questions form the basis of a cooperative client-attorney relationship. Asking questions also ensures you get the most from your free consultation.
Limitations of Free Legal Advice
There’s no denying free legal aid is a much-needed resource for many people. However, sometimes limitations do exist and it is good to be aware of them as much as possible. Here are a few examples of the limits you may run into when seeking free advice or representation:
- Cost Restraints: Although the service is free, other costs may come into play. For example, court costs, document preparation, travel expenses, and bail bonds.
- Limited Resources: The demand for the services is high. It’s not unusual to deal with long wait lists. Your lawyer may also not be able to dedicate many staff members to your case.
- Income-based Qualifications: There may be income eligibility criteria for some services. If your income increases, you may no longer qualify for free help.
FAQs About Free Legal Advice
What Makes Good Legal Advice?
Good legal advice is clear, concise, and tailored to the specifics of your case. The attorney offers a realistic case assessment and simplifies complex legal concepts. You’ll get honest guidance on potential outcomes and strategies.
How Do I Get Free Legal Advice?
You can contact us now at 1-800-ATTORNEY to give us more information about your situation so we can connect you with someone who can help.
Is Free Legal Advice Really Free?
Yes. Typically when you make an appointment for a free consultation, you nor the attorney you meet with are under any obligation to proceed, but the advice you get during your meeting is totally free and will often help you know the best way to move forward for your particular situation.
Can I Choose My Lawyer?
This depends on many factors, including what type of case you need help with. If you need free representation, not just advice, your options will be significantly more limited than if you are simply seeking a free initial consultation.
What If My Case Is Not Covered by Free Legal Aid?
If Legal Aid in your area is not able to represent you, consider looking for attorneys who are taking cases pro bono, as described above in this article.
Can I Get Legal Aid for Immigration Issues?
Some legal aid organizations specialize in immigration law. One example is the American Immigrants Lawyers Association (AILA). You can get help with visa applications, asylum requests, and deportation defense.
Are Free Lawyers as Qualified as Other Attorneys?
Many times, you can get free legal advice from well-qualified and experienced attorneys. Any attorney who has passed the bar exam in their state and is licensed to practice will be qualified to help you.
How Fast Can I Get Free Legal Advice?
Generally, you can get an appointment for a free consultation very quickly. You may even be able to meet with someone within the next several days if you call today to schedule your meeting.
Can Legal Aid Assist with Disability Claims?
Many times, lawyers will represent you upfront without any out of pocket cost for disability claims. They will later take their payment when you begin getting your disability payments, making seeking legal help an affordable option for those who could otherwise not afford it.
Can I Get Free Legal Advice Over the Phone or Online?
Many legal aid services offer hotlines or online support. These options work best for basic legal advice. Some attorneys will meet with you virtually or on the phone for a free consultation.
What if I Speak Limited English? Can I Still Receive Legal Advice?
Most legal aid organizations and law firms provide services to non-English speakers. It’s not uncommon for them to have bilingual staff or interpreter services on hand.
Is There Legal Aid for Veterans?
Several legal aid groups cater to veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is one resource for free legal help. Vets can get assistance with benefits, housing, employment, and more.
Your Rights Matter: Free Legal Advice Can Help
Free legal help is a necessary resource. Your limited income shouldn’t prevent you from getting the help you need. Seeking legal advice is a proactive step towards protecting your rights.
We’ve created a list with nationwide legal resources to help make your journey a little less stressful.
Online Resources
There are many free legal advice services available online, but we strongly advise you to take online advice with a grain of salt. The law varies from state to state, and those giving legal advice will often have differing opinions, and may not even be licensed to practice law. That being said, here are a few of the most popular and sites:
- com’s Ask a Lawyer Service: Post a question and get free advice from many lawyers. Questions are often answered within 12 hours.
- com’s Ask a Lawyer Service: Another free service that allows users to pose questions for attorneys to answer.
- FindLaw’s Legal Answers Forum: An active message board that allows users to ask legal questions on various legal issues.
- com’s Legal Advice Subreddit: This community-driven subreddit is robust. Users provide quick input on various legal issues.
- LawGuru’s Ask a Legal Question: Get free answers to your public (or private) legal questions from attorneys.
- American Bar Association: The ABA free legal answers is a helpful resource. Also, the ABA website will guide you to a list of resources in your state.
Options for Low-Income Individuals
- org: Find free legal aid programs, information, and forms for your state or territory.
- org: Legal help for low-income military members, veterans, and their families.
- National Center for State Courts: The NCSC provides links to legal aid programs by state.
Today’s technology gives you 24/7 access to free legal advice online. An online search is fast, convenient, and saves time. Despite all the upsides, all internet advice isn’t good. Let’s delve into some issues you must be aware of when soliciting free legal services online. These include:
- Inaccurate information: The reliability of legal feedback varies across the internet. It’s not uncommon for some websites to have outdated or wrong information.
- Lack of personalization: The answers may be too generic for your unique circumstances. The best advice offers tailored advice that’s specific to your case.
- Potential privacy breach: The internet is fertile ground for scams. Misleading advice or legal services can set people up for financial losses.
- No client-attorney privilege: Traditional representation keeps sensitive information confidential. Whatever details you share online don’t have the protection of client-attorney privilege.
- Legal issue restrictions: Online legal help doesn’t address a case’s complexity. Without in-depth details about your situation, critical elements get overlooked. This could result in a negative outcome for your case.
You can take a few actions to get the most from online legal guidance. For example, use an official site with verifiable resources. Keep documentation of all interactions, such as emails, chat messages, and forum comments. And most importantly, don’t share personal details on a public forum. These tips can help you get reliable advice without compromising your privacy or the outcome of your case.
Get the Legal Help You Need Anytime, Anywhere
Feeling overwhelmed by your legal issues? Not sure where to turn? The ins and outs of the law aren’t easy to understand. Plus, if you don’t know your rights, you won’t know which steps to take next.
Legal uncertainty can take a toll on your peace of mind. What can happen if you don’t have clear guidance? You can miss deadlines, overlook key details, or make decisions that could hurt your case and your future.
Don’t let confusion and worry hold you back. Call 1-800-ATTORNEY now for free assistance. Our team of experienced attorneys is ready to offer guidance, no matter your legal challenge. Take the first step towards resolving your legal concerns with confidence. Contact us today – help is a phone call away. And, of course, it’s completely free!