Free Legal Aid in Charlotte
Last updated: November 7, 2013
Do you have a legal issue in the Charlotte area, but can’t afford to hire an attorney? There are many free or low-cost legal service options for Mecklenburg County residents. One of the main providers is Legal Aid of North Carolina, a nonprofit legal aid organization providing free legal aid to low-income residents and seniors. 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 North Carolina
Intake Department
P.O. Box 28004
Raleigh, NC 27611
Tel: (919) 834-3466Areas 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. Requests for legal assistance must be submitted online.
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Legal Aid of North Carolina
Charlotte office
1431 Elizabeth Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28204
Tel: (704) 971-2621Areas of Law: Civil, Family, Housing, Health, Elderly, Children/Youth Issues, Public Benefits, Employment, Education, Individual Rights, Probate, Consumer
Good to Know: This office offers advice/legal counsel, brief services, self-help clinics, community legal education, and referrals, as well as full representation in administrative hearings and county, state, and federal courts. They do not assist with criminal cases. Applicants must qualify for services under financial guidelines. These guidelines are based on household size, income and assets. Most families who receive government benefits or who have minimum wage jobs are eligible for services.
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Legal Services of Southern Piedmont
1431 Elizabeth Ave
Charlotte, NC 28204
Tel: (704) 376-1600Areas of Law: Health Care & Public Benefits, Employment, Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic, Consumer Disputes, Landlord/Tenant, Immigration, Elderly Legal Services, Veterans, and HIV/AIDS
Good to Know: This organization places a specific emphasis on helping low-income families and individuals, as well as the elderly or disabled of Mecklenburg County.
Family Law
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Children’s Law Center
601 East 5th Street
Suite #480
Charlotte, NC 28202
Tel: (704) 943-9400Areas of Law: Family, Children
Good to Know: This building houses the following non-profit organizations: A Child’s Place, Alexander Youth Network/The Relatives Care Ring, Children’s Home, Society, Communities in Schools, Community Link, Council for Children’s Rights, NC MedAssist, Smart Start, United Family Services.
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McDowell St. Center for Family Law
101 N. McDowell St.
Suite 100
Charlotte, NC 28204
Tel: (704) 331-4774Areas of Law: Family, Divorce, Child Custody/Visitation, Child Support
Good to Know: This organization provides family law legal services for a flat fee. Visit the website to learn more. Special rates apply to those receiving public benefits.
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The 26th Judicial District Family Law Self-Serve Center
832 E. Fourth St.
Suite 3350
Charlotte, NC 28202
Tel: (704) 686-0210Areas of Law: Family, Divorce, Child Custody/Visitation, Child Support
Good to Know: This office will not provide you with a lawyer or legal advice. It is a self-help center for unrepresented litigants seeking forms or information on court procedure.
Immigration Law
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Catholic Charities of Charlotte
1123 S. Church Street
Charlotte, NC 28203
Tel: (704) 370-3262Areas of Law: Domestic Violence, Immigration, Naturalization
Good to Know: Services are by appointment only. The Charlotte office provides a broad range of immigration counseling and representation to immigrants and their families including naturalization, deferred action for childhood arrivals, refugee-based petitions and applications.
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International House/Casa Internacional
322 Hawthorne Lane
Charlotte, NC 28204
Tel: (704) 405-0962Area of Law: Immigration
Good to Know: This organization runs an immigration legal clinic specializing in family immigration and naturalization, refugees and asylum cases. Income limits apply. Call to learn more.
Senior Law
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Senior Legal Aid Helpline [PDF]
Tel: 1-877-579-7562Area of Law: Civil
Good to Know: This is a free, statewide legal aid hotline for seniors age 60 and over. They provide brief legal consultations in most civil law matters. They do not provide help with criminal law issues. If you have a more complicated matter, they may be able to provide referrals to lawyers in the area.