Legal Help
Free legal aid for eviction, immigration, family court, and criminal defense. Most legal aid offices offer walk-in hours or same-day phone consultations.
What this covers
Free civil legal aid, eviction defense, family law, immigration law, benefits appeals, consumer protection, expungement, and legal clinics.
Does not cover: Criminal defense (contact the public defender's office) or business law. For immigration-specific help, also see Immigration.
Who is this for?
Anyone who needs legal help but cannot afford a private attorney. Most legal aid organizations have income eligibility requirements.
How help usually works
Legal aid societies provide free civil legal representation. Legal clinics offer brief advice sessions. Many organizations have intake lines where you describe your situation and get matched with help.
Best first steps
- If you're facing eviction, contact legal aid immediately — timing matters for filing responses.
- Call the legal aid intake line for your area to describe your situation and find out if you qualify.
- Many legal aid orgs have walk-in clinics on specific days — call ahead to confirm.
- Gather any court papers, letters, or notices you've received before your appointment.
What to bring
All court papers, legal notices, letters from landlords/creditors, proof of income, and a photo ID. Bring everything — even if you're not sure it's relevant.
Emergency vs. standard help
Emergency: Same-day/next-day intake for imminent eviction or custody emergencies. Standard: Scheduled intake and case assignment for ongoing civil legal matters.
Example Legal Resources
Enter your ZIP code above to see resources near you. Here are some examples:
Chicago area
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services
Free civil legal help for low-income Chicagoans in housing, family law, and consumer matters.
33 N Dearborn Street, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60602
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Legal Aid Chicago
Free legal services for Chicagoans in housing, public benefits, immigration, and civil rights matters.
120 S LaSalle Street, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60603
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Boston area
Greater Boston Legal Services
Free civil legal aid for low-income Bostonians in housing, family law, immigration, and public benefits.
197 Friend Street, Boston, MA 02114
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Atlanta area
Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Free civil legal services for low-income residents of metro Atlanta.
54 Ellis St NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm