Whether you need assistance drafting a will or a contract, or you’re facing a legal problem or difficulty, engaging an attorney can be costly.
Most lawyers charge between $100 and $300 per hour, according to USLegal.com and associated websites. If you need a lawyer to get you out of a legal bind or preserve your possessions, but don’t have any extra cash, this can be prohibitive. Here are some reasons why you might need an attorney:
- A contentious divorce is an example of family law issues
- Planning for the future
- Personal harm
- Criminal charges have been filed
- Need for a protective order
- Your company needs to be reformed or shut down
- You’re about to declare bankruptcy
If you cannot afford legal representation in a criminal case, the court will appoint one for you. To obtain legal representation in a civil lawsuit, which is defined as a disagreement between two private parties, you must be resourceful.
Where Can I Get Free Legal Advice?
If you can’t afford an attorney, try the following strategies:
- Contact the local courthouse
- Request free legal consultations
- Look into legal aid organizations
- Consider going to a law school
- Contact the bar organization in your area or state
- Take your case to small claims court
You can use a variety of techniques to obtain free or low-cost legal counsel depending on your situation. Continue reading to learn more about each option.
Request Free Legal Advice
Some FVF law lawyers provide free consultations through phone or video conferences. Even if it’s only a 15-minute call, you’ll at least have a clearer idea of what you’re getting yourself into. You might also be able to receive some advice on who can assist you for free or if you can employ a cheap attorney, or at least an affordable attorney.
Look into Legal Aid Organizations
Legal aid societies are non-profit organizations that assist low-income people with free legal services. While this is undoubtedly worth investigating, many families earn too much money to be eligible for assistance.
Even if you have a low income, you may not be eligible for legal assistance. According to a 2017 report by the Legal Services Corporation, a nonprofit organization founded by Congress to provide equal access to justice for all Americans, 86 percent of low-income Americans experiencing civil legal difficulties in the previous year received inadequate or no legal help.
However, many people are eligible. According to a 2020 LSC report, about 53.9 million Americans were eligible for LSC-funded civil legal assistance in 2019, the most recent year for which data is available.
LawHelp.org, an organization that connects low or mid-income people to free legal aid programs in their regions, has more ideas.
Contact a Law School
You might also hire a law student to provide you with counsel.
Many law schools have pro bono programs where students can provide free legal advice. Check your area for such programs.
Check to discover whether legal aid is provided at your local university with a law school. Contact your local or state bar association for more information.
If you require counsel outside of that time frame, the association offers a 30-minute consultation with an attorney for $30, or a free 30-minute consultation for specific areas, such as Social Security, unemployment, workers’ compensation, and personal injuries, among others.