Learn about more getting Legal Assistance

There are many legal assistance centers across the country. Some of them provide services for free for those who are disadvantaged, and many offer sliding scale fees or payment schedules. The types of assistance each provides varies, but in general they are very useful for:

• Divorce

• Family law (child custody, visitations, financial issues)

• Protective orders (safety)

• Evictions

• Employment issues (harassment, termination, and unemployment assistance)

• Financial (bankruptcy, fraud, taxes, debt collections)

In general, legal assistance centers cannot help on criminal cases where you have been charged with a crime, traffic tickets, personal injury, medical malpractice, or injuries from car wrecks.

How to get Legal Assistance

Step 1 - Understand the TYPE of assistance you need. Most subsidized legal assistance programs are focused on the following areas:

Family
Domestic violence, divorce, separation, annulment, adoption, guardianship, child support, parental rights and responsibilities - parenting time, primary residential responsibility (used to be called child custody, interstate custody)

Housing
Landlord/tenant disputes, eviction, foreclosure, housing discrimination, housing preservation, rental deposits, public housing, Section 8, and housing conditions

Benefits and welfare
Town and city welfare, unemployment compensation, public housing, Social Security, Medicaid, Food Stamps, disability benefits, SSI and Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF)

Once you understand the TYPE of assistance you need, you can narrow your search down quite a bit.

If you do NOT need free assistance, many lawyers or law firms will offer consultations and help at a reduced cost. Just ask them.

Step 2 - Find a legal organization that fits your needs. Use our search tools or a basic internet search in your area for the type of assistance you need. Some helpful tips:

Legal Aid / Bar Associations

Quite often low income or emergency legal assistance is provided by groups known as “Legal Aid” or “Bar Associations”. If you do not find what you need on Survivors.org you can try to internet search for “Legal Aid of Texas” or something similar for your area

History

Make sure you keep track of as many relevant pieces of information as possible. Whether it be “evidence” such as abusing text messages or phone calls, to Protective Order documents - you should try to keep as much information in your possession as possible. Due to the fragmented nature of our legal system there is no one source of information other than yourself.