{"id":358088,"date":"2016-04-04T10:46:22","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/hirealawyer\/do-you-need-a-lawyer\/types-of-free-legal-services.html"},"modified":"2026-03-03T12:01:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T17:01:00","slug":"types-of-free-legal-services","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/hirealawyer\/do-you-need-a-lawyer\/types-of-free-legal-services.html","title":{"rendered":"Types of Free Legal Services"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Types of Free Legal Services<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Joseph Fawbush, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Free and low\u2011cost legal help<\/span> can come from many sources, including pro bono<\/span> attorneys, public defenders, legal aid<\/span> clinics, and nonprofit<\/span> organizations serving low\u2011income or vulnerable communities. You may be comfortable going to small claims court on your own, and some legal issues<\/span> you can complete independently using DIY legal forms<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Legal services<\/span> are among the more expensive things a person may need in their life. But you can still get access to justice<\/span>, even if you can\u2019t find someone to represent you for free or on a reduced fee basis. Just because you can\u2019t find a pro bono<\/span> attorney doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019re out of options. There are other free and low-cost<\/span> legal resources<\/span> available online, at courthouses, and in libraries.<\/p>\n

Below is a summary of the types of\u00a0free legal services<\/span><\/a> that may be available to you. To find legal help<\/span> for more serious matters, such as child custody<\/span> or foreclosure<\/span>, you can compare lawyers on FindLaw\u2019s attorney directory<\/a>. This directory can help you locate qualified attorneys in your area, including those who offer free consultations.<\/p>\n

What Is a Pro Bono<\/span> Attorney?<\/h2>\n

Pro bono<\/span> attorneys are lawyers who represent clients in need of legal representation<\/span> for a reduced fee or, more commonly, for free. The cases they are willing to take are often public-interest cases, like civil rights, child custody<\/span>, domestic violence<\/span><\/a>, foreclosure<\/span>, and housing.<\/p>\n

Any licensed attorney can choose to provide pro bono<\/span> legal services<\/span><\/a>. The American <\/span>Bar Association<\/span> (ABA<\/span>) and state <\/span>bar<\/span> associations<\/span> require attorneys in private practice and in firms to set aside time for\u00a0pro bono<\/span>\u00a0work. Depending on your legal needs, pro bono<\/span> lawyers may provide the free legal advice<\/span> you need for your case.<\/p>\n

\u201cPro bono<\/span>” comes from the Latin phrase, \u201cpro bono<\/span> publico,” which means \u201cfor the public good.”<\/p>\n

Public Defenders<\/h2>\n

If you have been arrested and charged with a crime<\/a>, you may be apprehensive about heading to court, especially if you do not have the resources to afford a private attorney. However, you may be entitled to obtain legal services<\/span> without charge.<\/p>\n

Under the U.S. Constitution, you have\u00a0the right to free legal services<\/span> for your criminal trial<\/a> if you cannot afford an attorney of your own. Often, these attorneys are appointed by a judge from a public defender\u2019s office when you are formally charged with criminal counts. This attorney will be assigned to your case for the duration of your criminal trial, as well as your first appeal if you lose the initial criminal case<\/span>.<\/p>\n

To find out more, you can contact your local\u00a0public defender\u2019s office<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Legal Aid<\/span> Providers<\/h2>\n

If you think you need to file a lawsuit to protect your interests, but you can\u2019t afford a private lawyer, you may qualify for legal aid<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Legal aid<\/span> providers and attorneys often receive government funding and are typically tasked with taking on low-income<\/span> cases. But because of limited funding,\u00a0legal aid<\/span> societies<\/span>\u00a0and lawyers can usually take on only\u00a0a select few cases.<\/p>\n

The lawsuits that legal aid<\/span> attorneys normally litigate involve:<\/p>\n