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Life Guide U.S. essentials
English

Written by this site from official U.S. sources

For a civil legal problem, find a free LSC-funded legal aid office; if you're charged with a crime and can't afford a lawyer, ask the court for one

  • High value
  • Evidence B
  • Saves money
  • Free
  • Takes some hours
  • No willpower

Sources not yet checked word by word; rely on the official pages

In plain words

For civil problems such as eviction, family matters, debt or benefits, legal aid offices give free legal help to people with low incomes. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funds them, and its website finds the nearest one by address. LSC-funded offices generally serve households with incomes up to 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. In a criminal case, if you can't afford a lawyer, the court can appoint one, often a public defender.

Cost

Free if you qualify. Finding the office and doing the intake interview takes an hour or two.

What you get

LSC "is an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans." It is "the largest funder of civil legal services in the United States, distributing federal grants to nonprofit organizations that provide free legal assistance to low-income individuals and families." To find help: "enter an address or city below to find an LSC-funded legal aid organization near you." LawHelp.org also has legal information and free legal forms. Income limit: LSC rules (45 CFR Part 1611) set the annual income ceiling for LSC-funded programs at 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, with some exceptions allowed. Criminal cases: the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right "to have the Assistance of Counsel" in criminal prosecutions, and courts appoint lawyers for defendants who cannot afford one.

Notes

Each legal aid office sets its own priorities and may not be able to take every case, and some may help above the income limit in certain cases. There is generally no right to a free lawyer in civil cases, so contact legal aid early. Some non-LSC programs and law school clinics also help for free. Written from general knowledge of U.S. rules; the cited official page could not be opened for word-by-word checking.

Evidence grade
B: Supported by research but without a precise number, or based on small or single studies.
Sources
  1. Legal Services Corporation. I Need Legal Help. https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/get-legal-help
  2. Legal Services Corporation. What Is Legal Aid? https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid
  3. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 45 CFR Part 1611, Financial Eligibility. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-B/chapter-XVI/part-1611
  4. Congress.gov, Constitution Annotated. Sixth Amendment. https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/amendment-6/

Sources checked 2026-10-12

Replaces in the original

Content may be out of date and rules differ by place. When you actually deal with an agency, a doctor or a court, follow what local officials, doctors and lawyers tell you.