LawHelp.org (Free Legal Aid)
Last updated August 2026
Facing a legal problem without a lawyer? LawHelp.org is the national front door to free legal help. Pick your state from the dropdown or map, and it routes you to your state's legal aid site: local free lawyers, know-your-rights guides, and court help. Every directory, guide, and tool is free. The network has helped over 8 million people.
It covers civil problems, the kind that hit low-income households hardest: eviction and housing, family matters, public benefits denials, debt and consumer trouble. Criminal cases are different; those get a public defender through the court.
The guides are worth reading before you ever talk to anyone. They explain your rights and the steps of your case in plain language, so when you do reach legal aid, you ask better questions. Some state sites also offer LiveHelp, a free chat that helps you find the right resource. It is navigation help, not legal advice.
Two more tools inside the network. LawHelp Interactive assembles court documents for you free, by interview, the way tax software builds a return. And state sites publish translated materials, plus your language-access rights in court.
Legal aid offices do have income limits, usually near the poverty line, and they cannot take every case. If they turn you down, ask for a referral, check your court's self-help center, and read the guides anyway. Deadlines on court papers are unforgiving; get informed before yours passes.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Income-based — most legal aid serves households under 125–200% of the federal poverty level
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
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Go to lawhelp.org and pick your state from the dropdown or map.
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Find the legal aid program serving your county and contact it the way its page says: phone intake or online form.
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Court papers in hand? Note every deadline first. Missing one usually means losing by default.
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Read your state site's plain-language guide for your problem before the intake call. You will ask better questions.
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Need a court form? Try LawHelp Interactive, which builds documents free through a guided interview.
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If legal aid cannot take your case, ask for a referral and check your court's free self-help center.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Is LawHelp.org free?
Yes, everything: the directories, the guides, the document tools. It is run by the nonprofit Pro Bono Net with legal aid programs nationwide.
What legal problems does it cover?
Civil matters: eviction and housing, family law, public benefits, debt and consumer issues. Criminal cases go to a public defender through the court instead.
How do I find free legal aid in my state?
Pick your state at lawhelp.org. It routes you to your state's legal aid website, which lists the free legal programs serving each county and how to apply.
Is the LiveHelp chat legal advice?
No. It is free navigation help, often staffed by law students, that points you to the right resources and providers. It does not represent you.
What if legal aid can't take my case?
Ask for a referral, use your court's self-help center, and read the site's guides on your problem. Acting before your deadline matters more than anything.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
See all United States (federal programs) programs →Free · Private · No account needed