Last updated: September 25, 2013
Do you have a legal issue, but cannot afford to hire an attorney? There are many options for free or low-cost legal services for residents of Dallas County including free and low-cost legal aid and law school clinics. There may be income limits that apply for individuals to qualify for free help. Contact the specific agency to learn more. Below is a short list of several organizations available to help you.
Areas of Law: Children/Youth Issues, Consumer, Elderly, Family, Employment, Housing, Health, Individual Rights, Probate, Public Benefits
This office provides free civil legal representation to qualified individuals based on income level. Please call the intake phone number listed above to make an appointment to learn if you qualify. They do not accept walk-ins.
Areas of Law: Homeless Advocacy
You must be homeless to qualify for free legal services. This is a clinic that operates Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-noon.
Areas of Law: Immigration, Domestic Violence
This agency provides a broad range of immigration counseling and representation to immigrants and their families, including representation in removal proceedings for detained and non-detained cases within the Dallas area, advocacy for aliens in asylum cases, family visa petitions, consular visa processing, naturalization services, as well as assistance to abused immigrant women and children to petitioning for permanent residency. Please note, the office does not provide representation for aliens detained at the Big Spring Detention Facility, Eden Detention Center, or Oklahoma.
Areas of Law: CitySquare predominantly handles family law matters, but also assists in probate proceedings, simple wills, consumer matters, and other civil matters.
They charge fees on a sliding scale basis for those who do not make enough to pay for traditional legal services, but who make more than is allowed under federal funding standards.
Areas of Law: Benefits, Consumer, Employment, Family, Housing, Landlord-Tenant, Probate, and Wills.
Clinics are run throughout the Dallas area. Click here to learn more about times and locations. Services are free to eligible clients; however clients may be responsible for filing fees and other court costs.
Areas of Law: Disability Rights
This office handles disability-related issues including access and discrimination.
Areas of Law: Domestic Violence, Family Law
Family Place partners with Legal Aid of Northwest Texas to assist domestic violence victims through the legal process on matters such as temporary custody orders, divorce and support (spousal and child), custody and visitation, protective orders, emergency orders and writs of attachment. Their 24-hour Crisis Hotline: 214-941-1991.
Areas of Law: Landlord-Tenant, Housing
Telephone counselors provide legal information and education to tenants regarding landlord / tenant issues. On the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, tenants can attend a free clinic at HCC to learn more about Texas housing laws and meet with an attorney about specific concerns they may have. Pro-bono legal services are also provided daily by an on-site attorney. Please arrive at HCC at 5 p.m. to sign in (sign-ins are not allowed before 5 p.m.). The clinic serves individuals on a first-come, first-served basis.
Areas of Law: Access to Medical Care, Employment Discrimination, Housing, Insurance issues, Power of Attorney, Public Benefits, Wills, and more.
This agency provides free legal counsel, representation, and advocacy to low-income individuals who are diagnosed with a terminal illness or the HIV disease, have a civil legal issue related to their diagnosis, and meet established income criteria. Click here for more information.
Areas of Law: Domestic Violence, Family Law
This agency provides legal advocacy for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, particularly with referrals for protective orders, plus referrals to free and sliding scale legal assistance.
Areas of Law: Child Advocacy, Civil, Consumer, Criminal, Income Tax, Small Business
The Law School provides services through its legal clinics. Services are limited but call to learn more.