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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

  • American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina

    Intake Department
    P.O. Box 28004

    Raleigh,
    NC 27611

    Tel: (919) 834-3466

    Areas 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.

  • Legal Aid of North Carolina

    Charlotte office
    1431 Elizabeth Avenue

    Charlotte,
    NC 28204

    Tel: (704) 971-2621

    Areas 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.

  • Legal Services of Southern Piedmont

    1431 Elizabeth Ave
    Charlotte,
    NC 28204

    Tel: (704) 376-1600

    Areas 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

  • Children’s Law Center

    601 East 5th Street
    Suite #480

    Charlotte,
    NC 28202

    Tel: (704) 943-9400

    Areas 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.

  • McDowell St. Center for Family Law

    101 N. McDowell St.
    Suite 100

    Charlotte,
    NC 28204

    Tel: (704) 331-4774

    Areas 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.

  • The 26th Judicial District Family Law Self-Serve Center

    832 E. Fourth St.
    Suite 3350

    Charlotte,
    NC 28202

    Tel: (704) 686-0210

    Areas 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

  • Catholic Charities of Charlotte

    1123 S. Church Street
    Charlotte,
    NC 28203

    Tel: (704) 370-3262

    Areas 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.

  • International House/Casa Internacional

    322 Hawthorne Lane
    Charlotte,
    NC 28204

    Tel: (704) 405-0962

    Area 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

  • Senior Legal Aid Helpline [PDF]


    Tel: 1-877-579-7562

    Area 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.

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