Are you having legal troubles?
Perhaps you’re looking to file a lawsuit, need help with a DUI, or simply want to know what your rights are. No matter what situation you’re in, legal guidance is crucial.
However, it can be expensive. In criminal cases, 80% of defendants can’t afford to pay for a lawyer.
The good news is that there is free help out there. You just need to know where to look. In this article, we’ll tell you how to get free legal advice.
Learn How to Get Free Legal Advice with these Easy Steps
Legal advice doesn’t have to break the bank. In some cases, it costs nothing at all.
1. Find Free Local Resources
A quick search for free legal aid in your local area should bring up a number of results.
There are lots of legal aid programs supported by federal funding. Through these programs, attorneys are able to offer services without charging the client.
For many of these programs, clients need to fulfill certain criteria in order to be eligible. For example, they may have to provide proof that their income is below a certain amount, and that they would not otherwise be able to afford legal help.
Not all of these programs involve face-to-face consultation. You can get help over the phone, too. There are a number of free legal hotlines available, which you can call at any time.
Before you call a free legal advice hotline, make sure the organization is based in your state. Otherwise, the information you receive may not be applicable or appropriate for the laws in your area.
2. Schedule a Free Consultation with an Attorney
Many attorneys offer an initial consultation, completely free of charge.
In some cases, they may only be a few minutes long. However, some lawyers are happy to offer you up to an hour of their time. You may find this advertised on the websites for some law firms.
Not every firm will advertise these opportunities, though. If they did, they’d be flooded with clients and unable to cater to them all. However, the option is often there is you inquire. Simply make a quick phone call or send an email to see what’s on offer.
It’s worth a try. You may be surprised at how much advice you can get without paying a consultation fee!
3. Download Free Legal Forms
In any legal case, there is an overwhelming amount of paperwork. For many people, this is the most complicated part of the process.
Knowing which forms you need, how to complete them and where to submit them can be hard to figure out. The good news is that you don’t always need a lawyer to help you.
You can take matters into your own hands and get free legal forms online, all by yourself. Search through online directories, and you might be able to find the forms you need without having to pay a lawyer.
Get the Legal Support You Need
Now that you know how to get free legal advice, you can start tackling your legal problems head-on.
If you find that free options aren’t quite enough, you may have to look into hiring a lawyer.
It’s important that you search for the right one. The skills, expertise, and personality of the attorney you choose can make or break your case. To find out more, see our guide to choosing an attorney.