Free Legal Aide Resources in California

Many people avoid hiring a lawyer because of the expenses. Indeed, most attorneys are notorious for their high fees, but oftentimes you can receive free legal aide. There are many free resources available in California that can help. We will now detail some of these that you can start using immediately.

Top Places in California to Receive Free Legal Aide

Legal Self-Help Services

Superior courts in California assist those who choose to represent themselves in family law and small claims cases. Family law facilitators offer free help to parents and children. They can provide educational materials, forms, and refer you to family court services, local child support agencies, and so on. You can also use a local court’s self-help center while most counties are required to have small claims advisors on hand; services vary from county to county. Learn more about self-help services.

Free Legal Aide Agencies

Many cities have free legal aid offices. These non-profits serve people below a certain income threshold, so you must qualify to use them. They most often help with family law, domestic violence, eviction, immigration, and employment cases. This is not the place to go to file a lawsuit or a small claim. To search for a legal aid agency in your area, LawHelpCA.org is a resource where you can seek legal help and information.

Public Interest Organizations

These non-profit groups vary in the services available. Some have lawyers on staff that can provide free legal aide, advice, and support. There are who others assist groups rather than individuals. For example, they can help you work with neighbors to convince your municipality to improve safety by installing a new traffic light. Non-profit groups can be located using tools at LawHelpCa.org as well.

Referral Services

If you are looking for free or low-cost legal help, a lawyer-referral service is a good place to start. They can assist even if you don’t qualify for free help. The information they provide can enable you to find affordable legal services. For a low fee, you could even have a one-time meeting with a lawyer regarding your case, who can explain the types of services they offer. A referral can also help you find a lawyer for help with parts of your case, otherwise known as limited-scope representation.

Government Agencies

Many government agencies offer legal help, depending on your needs. For example, you can find a local child support agency by county or, if you qualify, receive free help from a public defender. Online listings are free to use. However, courts usually refer public defenders, and will appoint one for free if a public defender won’t take your case or none are in your area.

Prepaid Legal Services Plan

Basic plans provide legal advice and telephone consultations. A brief office consultation may be provided as well, in which a legal professional can review simple documents, access legal forms, prepare a simple will, or offer discounts on legal services through their network. Find out if you’re part of a prepaid group legal services plan by asking your employer, union, or credit union. If not, check with the American Bar Association to find sponsored/endorsed legal insurance plans.

Dispute Resolution Programs

Many disputes can be resolved out of court. A community dispute resolution program can serve as a mediator, so problems can be addressed without a lawyer. Learn more about resolving disputes out of court.

Local Law Schools

You may find free legal aide clinics at a local law school. These clinics can often be found through your court or local bar association. You can also contact a law college or university to find out what services they offer.

The State Bar of California

A variety of free information is available from the State Bar. Free resources include information on how to find a lawyer and prepare for your first meeting, as well as how to work with your attorney and resolve problems such as fee disputes. There are also details about filing complaints and claims plus resources to find much-needed legal help.

Contact The Law Offices of Jacob Emrani

Your best bet may be to call Jacob for a free consultation. Jacob Emrani has represented personal injury and other clients for more than 25 years. A skilled Los Angeles, Torrance, and Irvine personal injury attorney, he can tell you how much your case is worth and use his legal expertise to deal with insurance companies and other challenges. Jacob fights for the compensation you deserve. To get started, call 888-952-2952.