Find Legal Help (2024)

FAQs

How to get free legal advice in NY? ›

The City Bar Justice Center's free Legal Hotline offers legal information, advice, referrals, and in some instances, brief services, to low-income New Yorkers. The Legal Hotline phone number is: 212-626-7383.

LSC-funded programs help people who live in households with annual incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines – in 2021, that is $16,100 for an individual, $33,125 for a family of four.

What is a pro bono program? Pro bono programs help low-income people find volunteer lawyers who are willing to handle their cases for free. These programs usually are sponsored by state or local bar associations. See our directory of pro bono programs to find one in your state.

24/7, NYC Only 212-533-5151. Legal Services NYC: Legal Services NYC Access Line serves low income residents of NYC and is open Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm. Call 917-661-4500 to speak to an intake officer in any language.

917-661-4500.

If you have an extreme financial hardship and can't file for a divorce without financial help, you can apply for a fee waiver for the court fees. Ask the clerk for more information.

We provide free legal representation to low-income New Yorkers on issues including criminal trials, parole revocation and appeals, juvenile justice and child protection cases, and civil issues such as housing and immigration.

Attend an approved college in New York State. Be a full-time student taking 12 or more credits each semester. Be enrolled in a degree-granting program of study and maintain good academic standing. Be charged at least $200 for tuition per year.

Individuals seeking representation must complete an application and provide financial information to prove financial need. The Public Defender's Office provides representation in criminal court handling felonies, misdemeanors, and family or surrogate court.

Why do some lawyers only charge if they win? ›

In a typical contingency fee agreement, the plaintiff is only responsible for paying their attorney if they win the case, with the payment coming as a percentage of the winnings. The reason that contingency fees are used so often is related to the cost of pursuing a trial.

NYCDS is an elite public defense firm serving New York City's most vulnerable communities since 1997. Our skilled trial attorneys zealously defend people accused of crimes in Manhattan's Criminal and Supreme Courts, at no cost to the accused.

The Legal Hotline is available Monday – Thursday from 9:15AM to 4:45PM (closed 1:00PM to 2:00PM) and on Friday from 9:00AM to 1:00PM at 212-626-7383, or you can apply online for assistance by filling out the online intake application. LawHelpNY.org provides legal information for New Yorkers who cannot afford a lawyer.

The best place to search for a pro bono immigration attorney is on the U.S. Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) website, at the page called Find Legal Representation. There, you will be able to access a list of free or low-cost legal service providers, sorted by state.

You can call the City-funded, free and safe MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365, or call 311 and say "ActionNYC," between 9AM to 6PM, Monday to Friday, to get: Answers to immigration-related questions. Information on immigration policy.

Call us! Any New Yorker age 55+ can call our Free Legal Advice Helpline to speak with an attorney at 1-844-481-0973. The Helpline is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 11:00am EST.

If you are buying or selling a home in the state of New York, it is required that you work with an attorney to process all contracts and represent you at the closing. In addition, your attorney will assist you by: Preparing the first draft of the sales contract.