Information and Resources

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 agencies serve people who earn 125% or below of the federal poverty guideline**

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Size of Family Unit	Annual Amount	125%	Weekly Amount
1	$12,140	$15,175	$292
2	$16,460	$20,575	$396
3	$20,780	$25,975	$500
4	$25,100	$31,375	$604
5	$29,420	$36,775	$708
6	$33,740	$42,175	$812
7	$38,060	$47,575	$915
8	$42,380	$52,975	$1,019
For each additional person, add	$4,320	$5,400	$104

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:

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: https://www.in.gov/fssa/da/3478.htm
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 at the links below

Information and Resources:

Consumer Protection

Consumer Protection issues: https://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/2336.htm
Identify Theft: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft

Domestic Violence

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
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 programs 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:

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

Servicemembers seeking legal help: Indiana Lawyers for Servicemembers: http://www.inbar.org/page/militaryassistance

Senior Citizens/Elder Care

Seniors issues: https://www.indianalegalservices.org/node/575/seniors-information
Elder Law Information: Indiana Laws of Aging

Taxes

Tax issues: https://www.indianalegalservices.org/node/832/tax-informational-brochures

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
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: https://www.in.gov/judiciary/selfservice/2361.htm