Indiana Legal Services (Free Civil Legal Aid)
Last updated August 2026
Indiana Legal Services provides free civil legal help to eligible low-income residents statewide, including landlord-tenant and eviction cases. Apply through the online intake portal or by calling 317-631-9410. If court papers arrive, start here right away.
Start with the rule that protects you, because it is stronger than many people think. For nonpayment or another lease violation, an Indiana landlord must give at least 10 days' notice before ending the lease. And Indiana gives tenants a right to cure: if you pay the rent due in full, or fix the other issue, within those 10 days, the landlord cannot end the lease.
An Indiana eviction has two parts, so know which is which. First is a possession hearing, over whether you must move out. Later is a damages hearing, over money owed. They are separate, and the possession hearing is the urgent one.
Timing depends on the type of possession. With final possession, most common for nonpayment, the court sets a move-out date, typically two to three weeks out. A landlord can seek immediate possession by paying money into court, but a tenant can pay the same amount to stay until the damages hearing is decided.
There are free tools you can use yourself. IndianaLegalHelp.org offers tenant resources, including an Eviction Sealing Form to seal an eviction record and an Indiana Renter's Guide. Sealing a record matters, because future landlords check.
Move fast and stack help. Apply to Indiana Legal Services the day papers arrive, ask your township trustee about emergency rent help, and dial 2-1-1 for local rent funds that can clear the balance within the 10 days.
Phone 1-844-243-8570
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Low-income Indiana residents with a civil, noncriminal legal problem affecting a basic need like shelter, income, safety, or health care
- Income guidelines apply, so if you are near the line, apply anyway and let the office decide
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply through the Indiana Legal Services intake portal or call 317-631-9410.
- 2
Read any notice: you have at least 10 days, and paying the rent in full within them stops a nonpayment eviction.
- 3
Go to your possession hearing; it is the urgent one, separate from the later damages hearing.
- 4
Ask your township trustee and 2-1-1 about emergency rent funds; use the Eviction Sealing Form if you have a record.
What the application looks like
Common questions
How much notice do I get before an eviction?
At least 10 days. And Indiana gives a right to cure: paying the rent in full, or fixing the issue, within those 10 days stops the landlord from ending the lease.
What are the two eviction hearings?
A possession hearing decides whether you must move out; a later damages hearing decides money owed. They are separate.
What is immediate possession?
A landlord can seek it by paying money into court, but you can pay the same amount to stay until the damages hearing is decided.
How do I get free legal help?
Apply to Indiana Legal Services through the online intake portal or call 317-631-9410. Free tenant tools are at IndianaLegalHelp.org.
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