Civil legal aid helps people with non-criminal issues, including family, housing, consumer, healthcare, benefits, employment, and educational services.
Most people do not qualify for free civil legal aid. Most civil legal aid and pro bono (free) agencies serve people who earn 125% or below of the federal poverty guideline**
What if I Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Help?
Even if you have a low income, it does not guarantee service from a legal aid or pro bono agency. Legal aid agencies have limited staff and resources and do not cover all legal issues. Pro bono agencies offer legal services for limited issues with volunteer lawyers. These agencies are not able to serve everyone who applies.
If you don’t qualify for free civil legal aid:
- Some organizations listed here offer free legal resources without income qualification: Legal Help Near You
- Some bar associations offer a referral service: List of Local Bar Associations
- Ask about brief legal services such as Talk to A Lawyer, Counsel in the Court, and Lawyers in Libraries through your local or state bar association or legal aid/pro bono agency
- During some months in the school year, law schools may have legal clinics for specific issues
- For the elderly, seek services from an Indiana area agency on aging: Area On Aging
- Ask for referrals to programs or lawyers that may be able to help you for a sliding scale fee
- Look for information about your issue below
Information and Resources:
Appeals
- Indiana State Bar Association Pro Se Appellate Handbook 2019 Click Here
- The Appellate Pro Bono Project, administered by Indiana Legal Services, Inc., coordinates free legal representation for low-income people in appeals of civil cases. Applicants must be of limited means and not all cases will qualify for assistance. Please keep in mind that there are strict time limits in appeal cases and the Project cannot guarantee that a pro bono attorney will agree to represent you. If you are interested complete this: Application and email it to AppellateProBono@ilsi.net or fax it to (317) 631-9775 Attn: Jeff Heck
- Consumer Protection issues: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/2336.htm
- Identify Theft: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft
Disability Services
- Indiana Disability Rights: https://www.in.gov/idr/
Domestic Violence
- Getting a Protection Order: https://www.in.gov/judiciary/selfservice/2352.htm E-filing for a Protection Order: https://www.in.gov/judiciary/5538.htm
- For those experiencing domestic violence: https://www.icadvinc.org or call 24-Hour Helpline, Linea de Ayuda Voice: 800.332.7385: TTY 800.787.3224
Education
- Students/School issues: https://www.indianalegalservices.org/node/576/students-informational-brochures
- Indiana Department of Education: https://www.doe.in.gov/legal/forms
Family and Child Support
- Family issues: https://www.indianalegalservices.org/node/560/family-issues-informational-brochures
- Child Support Arrearage Calculation: https://indianalegalhelp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ArrearageCalculation.pdf
- Guardianship issues: https://www.kidsvoicein.org/guardianship-and-third-party-custody-in-indiana/
General Information
- Legal System questions: https://www.indianalegalservices.org/node/573/legal-system-informational-brochures
Government Programs
- Government program issues: https://www.indianalegalservices.org/node/561/government-programs-informational-brochures
- Need help with food, clothing, shelter, medicine or other services? 2-1-1 Indiana: https://www.in211.org/ or call 211
Housing Issues
- Informational Brochures: https://www.indianalegalservices.org/node/563/housing-informational-brochures
- Foreclosure prevention: Indiana Foreclosure Prevention Network
- Housing help: Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority
- A copy of A Guide to Renting in Indiana can be downloaded for free here: A Guide to Renting in Indiana
Immigration/Residency/Citizenship
- Becoming a legal resident/U.S. citizen: https://www.indianalegalservices.org/node/565/non-citizens-informational-brochures
- Low income immigrants seeking legal help: ImmigrationLawHelp.org
Jobs and Empoyment
- Jobs/Employment issues: https://www.indianalegalservices.org/node/564/jobsemployment-informational-brochures
Medical and Health
- Health and Medical Issues: https://www.indianalegalservices.org/node/562/health-and-medical-matters-informational-brochures
Military/Servicemembers
- Indiana Lawyers for Servicemembers: http://www.inbar.org/page/militaryassistance
Senior Citizens and Elder Care
- Seniors issues: https://www.indianalegalservices.org/node/575/seniors-information
- Elder Law Information: Indiana Laws of Aging
Taxes
Vehicles/Titles
- Bureau of Motor Vehicles: https://www.in.gov/bmv/2333.htm
Before You Go To Court Without A Lawyer
Before considering going to court without a lawyer, try all your other options first. You would not consider fixing your own car or doing surgery on your own unless you were educated, skilled and practiced. Working in the legal system is the same. In court you must be prepared and understand all the deadlines, papers to file, steps to take and procedures to follow.
If you decide to represent yourself in court:
- Observe court sessions before appearing in court for the first time
- You can watch some remote hearings online at this link: Indiana Remote Video Hearings
- Research and read everything you can on your subject
- Find a lawyer who will talk to you and give you brief advice to prepare for court
See the Indiana Supreme Court’s page on representing yourself in court: Going To Court Without A Lawyer