Free Legal Aid in Kansas City
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed May 31, 2023
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Do you have a legal issue in the Kansas City Metropolitan area, but can’t afford to hire an attorney? Whether you live in Missouri or the state of Kansas, there are several free or low-cost legal service options for KC residents. The main ways are through legal assistance programs such as Legal Aid of Western Missouri, a nonprofit organization providing free legal aid to low-income residents and seniors in Missouri, or through Kansas Legal Services located in Kansas. There may be income limits that apply for you to qualify for free/low-cost help. Contact the specific agency to learn more. Below is a list of several organizations available to help you.
General Law
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American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas and Missouri
3601 Main Street
Kansas City, MO 64111
Tel: (816) 756-3113Areas of Law: Discrimination, Election and Voting, Freedom Speech, Freedom of Religion, Immigration Rights, LGBT Rights, Privacy, Police Practices, Jail and Prison Conditions, and other issues of fair treatment by government.
Good to Know: The ACLU does not usually assist in the following types of cases: criminal defense or post-conviction appeals, divorce or child custody disputes, property disputes, tax problems, workers compensation issues, consumer complaints, landlord-tenant disputes, building code issues and complaints about lawyers or judges. For assistance, fill out an intake form.
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Kansas Legal Services
400 State Avenue, Suite 1015
Kansas City, KS 66101
Tel: (913) 621-0200Areas of Law: Consumer/Financial, Housing, Elder Law, Education, Juvenile, Employment, Family, Native American Issues, Health, and Immigration
Good to Know: KLS is a statewide legal service provider for income-eligible clients. Fill out the intake form online or call for more information.
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Legal Aid of Western Missouri (Central Office)
4001 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Suite 300
Kansas City, MO 64130
Tel: (816) 474-6750Areas of Law: Public Benefits, Domestic Violence, Family Law, Housing, Economic Development, Aids Legal Assistance, Consumer, Immigration, Migrant Workers, Municipal Court Defense
Good to Know: LAWMo provides free legal aid through direct representation and various legal clinics to those who qualify based on income. The office will not respond to email requests for assistance. Call to learn more.
Domestic Violence
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SAFEHOME
P.O. Box 4563
Overland Park, KS 66204
Tel: (913) 378-1540Area of Law: Debt/Credit/Bankruptcy, Disability, Education, Employment, Family & Juvenile, Foreclosure, Immigration & Naturalization, Life Planning, Public Benefits, Child protection, Civil protection orders: Initial proceeding, Civil protection orders: Contempt/Enforcement, Elder abuse
Good to Know: Attorneys may represent persons involved in or referred by another SAFEHOME program in civil legal matters, including protection orders, divorce and paternity. Call to learn more.
Immigration Law
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Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas - La Luz Center for Legal Assistance
2220 Central Avenue
Kansas City, KS 66102
Tel: (913) 621-1504Area of Law: Domestic Violence, Immigration, and Naturalization
Good to Know: This organization provides low cost legal representation to refugee and immigrant populations in the following Kansas counties Douglas, Johnson, and Wyandotte.
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The Clinic (Sharma-Crawford Law Offices)
515 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez
Kansas City, MO 64108
Tel: (816) 994-2300Areas of Law: Immigration, Deportation/Removal Proceedings
Good to Know: The Clinic provides free or discounted fees for legal services to qualifying individuals in immigration removal proceedings based on income levels. Depending on eligibility, some services may require a nominal fee.
Law School Clinics
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University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law
500 East 52nd Street
Kansas City, MO 64110
Tel: (816) 235-1657Areas of Law: Child and Family Services, Guardian ad Litem, Entrepreneurial Legal Services Clinic, Tax Clinic, The Midwestern Innocence Project
Good to Know: Students represent clients under supervision. Restrictions apply. Call the individual program listed below to learn more:
Family Services: (816) 235-6336
Guardian ad Litem: (816) 235-6298
Entrepreneurial: (816) 235-6341
Tax: (816) 235-6201
Innocence Project: (816) 235-1644
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