Free Legal Aid in Raleigh

Legal Aid of North Carolina

Good to know: Legal Aid of North Carolina is a statewide group that provides free legal services in civil matters to low-income people.  They help individuals with legal problems affecting basic human needs, such as family, housing, employment and income.  They have 18 branch offices, including one in Raleigh, and access to the talent and resources to tackle nearly any civil matter.  If you have any doubts about which legal aid office to contact first, you should definitely try Legal Aid of North Carolina.  They also operate projects that target particularly vulnerable individuals:

    · the Advocates for Children’s Services provides free legal help for children in need of medical, psychiatric, special education, foster care and adoption services;

    · the Battered Immigrant Project provides culturally appropriate legal services to battered immigrants in cases involving domestic violence protective orders, family law issues, public benefits and immigration;

    · the Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative provides legal assistance to domestic violence victims;

    · the Fair Housing Project provides education and free legal assistance to individuals who have experienced housing discrimination;

    · the Farmworker Unit provides free legal assistance to migrant workers throughout North Carolina;

    · the Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Project provides legal representation to low-income North Carolinians facing foreclosure.  They also collaborate with other organization to save homes and reduce foreclosures through the Home Defense Project;

    · the Senior Law Project serves clients who are 60 years of age or older.  Clients who are age 60 or older are exempt from typical legal aid income restrictions;

    · the Low-Income Tax Clinic provides low-income taxpayers with representation in federal and state tax controversies and educates individuals about their rights and responsibilities as taxpayers.

North Carolina Advocates for Justice

Good to know: The North Carolina Advocates for Justice provide legal representation to low-income individuals on variety of civil issues such as auto torts, civil rights, commercial litigation, consumer rights, disability advocacy, employment law, family law, products liability and workers' compensation, as well as criminal and juvenile defense.  Check out their Free Legal Help page to locate and speak with an attorney who specializes in your particular issue.

Women’s Center of Wake County

Good to know: The Women’s Center of Wake County, Inc. is a resource center that addresses the challenging issues of poverty and homelessness for women.  They provide basic needs services, housing placement and support services for women.

Culturas Unidas

Good to know: Cultura Unidas provides legal assistance to the Spanish speaking community of Raleigh.  They can help with any civil legal issue, but specialize in immigration and naturalization law.  They can also provide interpretation services.

Disabilities Rights North Carolina

Good to know: Disabilities Rights provides advocacy and legal services at no charge for people with disabilities across North Carolina, catering specifically to seniors, veterans and children with mental or physical handicaps.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

Good to know: NAACP needs to introduction.  They provide legal assistance to people of color, and specialize in housing or education discrimination and civil rights.

Lawyer Referral Service

Good to know: For individuals who earn too much to qualify for legal aid, Lawyer Referral Service can help you locate an affordable attorney who specializes in your particular legal issue.  This service is operated by the North Carolina Bar Association.  They do NOT provide referrals to pro bono attorneys or legal aid groups.