how to gey a lawyer for free

Cheap and free alternatives exist, but finding them can be a trial.

• Contact the City Courthouse. Andrea Vacca is a collaborative divorce attorney in New York City and the owner of Vacca Family Law Group.
• Seek Free Lawyer Consultations. ...
• Look to Legal Aid Societies. ...
• Visit a Law School. ...
• Contact Your County or State Bar Association. ...
• Go to Small Claims Court. ...

Full Answer

Where can I get a free consultation with a lawyer?

You'll find plenty of free legal advice in Avvo's guides with information on over 1,000 legal topics and over 7 million questions and answers. Just remember that laws can vary significantly from state to state. When researching online, don't rely on information about another state's laws, as it may not be relevant to your situation.

How can I find a free lawyer?

• Federal and state cases, statutes, regulations, court rules, and bar publications. Also includes a free mobile app.
• "Authority Check" citator: identifies citing cases, flags cases that have been reversed or overruled. ...
• Free access for Virginia Bar members, limited/reduced fee access for D.C. and Maryland Bar Members.

Why do lawyers earn so much?

lawyers!

• Intelligence. Could the average lawyer simply possess a higher level of intelligence than the average engineer and therefore rightfully be paid more?
• Employment. For those that do manage to enrol and complete law degrees, they are faced with a tougher employment market.
• Working hours. ...
• Professionalism. ...

How to find an excellent lawyer?

How to Find an Excellent Lawyer

• Conducting a Background Check. Before hiring any attorney, contact the attorney disciplinary organization in your state to verify that they’re in precise standing as a member of the bar.
• Touring the Lawyer’s Office. ...
• Consider a Specialist. ...
• Interview the Prospective Lawyers. ...
• Personality. ...

What is an individual lawyer?

Individual lawyers (also called attorneys) are experts in different areas of the law. Some attorneys specialize in a certain field of law, such as business, civil, criminal, or juvenile law. You will need to determine which type of attorney is right for your legal situation.

What is law help interactive?

Law Help Interactive - This program helps you fill out legal forms for free, such as those dealing with:

Do you have a question?

Ask a real person any government-related question for free. They'll get you the answer or let you know where to find it.

What to do if you don't have a lawyer?

Still, whether it's a divorce or you're being taken to court for something else, if you don't have a lawyer, a logical move would be to call the courthouse and ask who they would suggest going to. You think you're the first person who couldn't afford a lawyer? Hardly.

How to get free legal consultation?

Some attorneys will offer free consultations – usually by phone or videoconference. You aren't likely to come away feeling like you're ready to try your first case, but even if it's just a 15-minute call, you may at least get enough information to have a better sense of what legal morass you're in for. You might also be able to get some direction as to who can help you for free or a bargain basement price.

What law schools offer free legal advice?

Many law schools have pro bono programs in which law students can offer free legal advice. Some of the schools that have such programs include American University, Appalachian School of Law, Arizona State University, Howard University, Tulane University and many others.

What is lawhelp.org?

You can find more ideas at LawHelp.org, a nonprofit aimed at connecting people with low and moderate incomes to free legal aid programs in their communities.

What is legal aid?

Legal aid societies are nonprofit organizations found in almost every corner of the country that provide free legal services to low-income people. While this is certainly worth exploring, the problem for many households is that the individual or couple makes too much money to qualify for help.

What happens if you can't afford legal assistance?

In a criminal proceeding, if you can't afford legal assistance, a court will appoint an attorney for you. In a civil case, generally described as a dispute between two private parties, to get legal representation, you have to get creative.

Can a lawyer represent you on contingency?

It's risky for lawyers to take cases on contingency, and they need to be confident a judge or jury will side with you, and that there's going to be something sizable awarded to you. While no legal expert will suggest you represent yourself, it is an option if you're in a financial bind.

What is the first result in Google for free legal advice?

According to Moz, the first result in Google for “free legal advice” is FreeAdvice.com. Despite the name, to get an answer the site makes you go through four doorway pages. Then, right before you supposedly get an answer, you’re asked to give them your… credit card.

Can you ask a lawyer on Twitter?

If you don’t have any lawyers following you, asking your legal question on Twitter isn’t likely to yield much. However, I’ve found the lawyers on Twitter to be pretty responsive when addressed directly.

Is it hard to find good advice?

Good advice is hard to find. Good, free advice is even harder. Good thing these sites exist. If they can’t solve your problem, they’ll at least get you closer. And you won’t have to go through doorway pages or give up your credit card information to get there.

Can a lawyer answer a question for free?

Of course, there’s no guarantee that lawyers will hop on your question and answer it for free. But if you’re willing to wait a few days, it’s worth asking.

Is Rocket Lawyer free?

Despite ranking for “ free legal advice,” Rocket Lawyer is not free. You can get one free legal form, and there is some free advice on the site. So it’s not a bad place to gather information. But you’re not going to get as much for free as you do with Avvo.

Is Avvo free legal advice?

It’s the second result in Google for “free legal advice.” But it should be the first. The American Bar Association honored Avvo in 2015 for innovative delivery of legal services. They offer people a 15-minute phone call with a lawyer for a fixed-fee.

What does it mean when you hire a lawyer?

When you hire a lawyer, you're hiring someone to represent you. Depending on your issue, your lawyer may represent you in litigation (in court) or in mediation/arbitration proceedings. Or they may create, review, process, or file documents.

What is a legal problem?

But, if they're not breaking any laws, what you have is a personal matter, not a legal one. A legal problem is one that can be solved by using the law. It's an issue that's addressed within federal, state, or municipal laws and regulations.

Why is it easier to win a civil case?

Civil lawsuits are easier to win because the burden of proof is lower. And it's not necessarily one or the other. There can be a criminal case and a civil case for the same matter. If you're considering whether or not to sue someone, or you have been sued, you're looking at a civil matter.

What are the two types of legal issues?

There are two main types of legal issues: criminal matters and civil matters. In criminal cases, the government prosecutes the case. In civil cases, the person bringing the suit hires an attorney to prosecute.

What are the free legal services?

Take advantage of the free legal services offered by your local county or state courts. Many courts provide free legal clinics or Friend of the Court services to those involved in certain types of lawsuits, typically when family law related.

Why do younger lawyers charge less?

A younger lawyer may even decide to charge less than the market average because they are not as experienced as other lawyers, and may have fewer resources to handle big cases.

How to find a legal aid office?

To find a legal aid office, look online or look up "legal aid" in your area’s phone directory.

How long is a free legal consultation?

Schedule a free legal consultation with a local attorney. Many attorneys offer 10 to 60 minute, free of charge legal consultations. Check your phone book or online directory for attorneys in your area. Even if a law firm’s advertisement does not say “free consultation”,you should still call and inquire because most attorneys will give a potential client at least 10 minutes to talk without charge.

What is legal aid?

Legal aid programs are exceptionally helpful with providing legal advice for divorce proceedings, employment issues, landlord and tenant issues, and a number of other legal problems. In many states, your income must be below the federal poverty line in order to qualify for free legal aid.

Where are legal questions accepted?

Most of the programs that accept questions in person are held at courthouses and handle specific legal issues, so make sure that you attend the right program to get the specific help you require.

Do private law firms have pro bono?

Additionally, some private law firms have pro bono departments within their firms .These types of programs are usually geared towards specific issues that impact the community as a whole. To find a private firm who has a pro bono program in your area, simply search “private law firms + pro bono work” online.

When did lawyers start?

The date of the first law school in the United States is debated, but the general consensus is that it was sometime during the late 1700s. We had lawyers before that time, however.

Can a legal apprentice be paid by an attorney?

Each state's exact rules are different. In Virginia, for example, a legal apprentice cannot be paid by the supervising attorney. In Washington, they must be paid by the attorney.

Do lawyers go to law school?

Most lawyers do attend law school, but there are some advantages to avoiding it if you can manage it. You'll avoid the high cost of law school and perhaps gain more on-the-ground experience shadowing a working lawyer.

Is it hard to pass the bar exam?

Finally, the reality is that it's hard to pass the bar exam without at least some law school experience. Although not impossible, the pass rates are low. It’s risky to spend years as a legal apprentice if you never manage to pass the bar exam. In fairness, however, this is also an issue faced by students of non-ABA-accredited law schools and even some ABA-accredited ones.

Do legal apprentices have more hands on experience?

Finally, it's indisputable that the average legal apprentice will have more hands-on experience than most new law school graduates. At most, the average law grad has done one clinic and perhaps a handful of summer jobs, internships, or externships. Most of a student's time is taken up with classes, particularly in the first two years.