What is Free Legal Aid?
Free legal aid is simply that- free legal assistance provided to individuals who may not otherwise have the means to secure an attorney for a case. What this means is that you do not have to be a low-income individual to get free legal aid. The criteria vary based on what organization is providing the aid, and are dependent upon the case you need assistance with as well. A good starting point is the legal aid in your home state, but do not think that because you are out of state you will not be able to get free legal aid. Many organizations are national. Depending upon what type of legal assistance is needed , there are often a lot of special interest groups who provide free legal aid to victims of certain crimes or other individuals who may be adversely affected by certain legal issues. What exactly does it cover? Most legal aid offices cover family law matters like divorce, custody, domestic violence, tenant rights issues, wills, bankruptcy assistance, and help in dealing with foreclosure. Some legal aid offices do not handle juvenile issues or criminal matters. Just because they do not handle criminal matters does not mean that someone in Mobile cannot receive free legal aid. Sometimes, if they do not handle the case, they may be able to refer you to someone else who does.
Who Qualifies for Free Legal Aid?
While many people seek out our services who are in dire need of legal help, there are certain eligibility requirements in order to take advantage of free legal aid in Mobile, AL. For individuals and families seeking assistance, the first thing to note is the maximum income levels which qualify for a pro bono attorney. A limit of $13,000 per year for singles or $22,000 per year for couples is the current cap. Above this threshold, legal help may be available for a nominal fee in many cases, or through other local organizations, but this is generally considered the point at which free services are not available.
Aside from income limits, the types of cases which are typically covered by free legal aid in Mobile, AL include "civil" or non-criminal matters such as family law issues relating to divorce and child custody, appeals, child support, bankruptcy, consumer issues, related government services such as veterans affairs or access to disability rights, civil rights claims including discrimination, education policy, immigration and asylum, housing and real estate, and tax matters among many others.
Local Mobile Legal Aid Resources
There are several legal aid organizations that provide pro bono representation or low-cost legal assistance in Mobile, AL.
Alabama Legal Services
This non-profit organization focuses on providing free legal aid in civil matters.
696 Dauphin St
Mobile, AL 36602
(251) 433-6560
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service
The Lawyer Referral Service connects individuals with qualified lawyers in their area. There is no cost for referrals.
P O Box 671
Montgomery, Al 36101
(800) 392-5660
FAX (334) 269-6105
Equal Justice Initiative
EJI provides free legal and civil support to low-income clients who may have been wrongly convicted of crimes.
122 Commerce St
Montgomery, AL 36104
(334) 269-1803
Community Justice Clinic, University of Alabama in Birmingham School of Law
The UAB law clinics offer free legal assistance in a variety of fields through student-led programs. Services range from mediation services to family law and beyond.
(205) 934-2284
Alabama State Bar Pro Bono
To be eligible, clients must meet federal poverty guidelines.
(800) 354-6154
FAX (800) 354-6154
Mobile Pro Bono
This group seeks to encourage attorneys to take cases for pro bono representation in the Mobile and Baldwin County areas. The group connects low-income clients with pro bono attorneys.
Applying for Legal Aid
You can apply for free legal aid through various means. This can be done by phone, in person, or sometimes through an online portal. The requirements and processes may vary between organizations, but there are some general steps and commonly required documents.
You can call the organization or visit their office to learn more about how to apply for legal aid. You can also check their website for more location specifics.
Once your application is verified, your case will be matched with an attorney. In some cases, you may be referred to other legal or social service providers better equipped to assist you. In all cases, do not lose hope if you are initially referred out, as the process sometimes takes time.
Legal Aid of Alabama has been providing quality legal services for over 20 years. It is the only statewide nonprofit legal aid organization and has served 73 of our 67 counties since 1991. Our federal funding dwindled significantly in recent years and state funding continues in decline. We are working hard to return to 2009 levels, at which point we will be able to serve 100 percent of eligible applicants.
Legal Aid Case Types
Legal aid organizations in Mobile, AL typically handle a variety of legal cases related to family law, housing and consumer rights. These organizations have the goal of assisting individuals who are unable to afford quality legal assistance.
Family Law
This includes divorce, child custody, visitation rights and child support cases. It can also include matters involving guardianship and conservatorships. In many cases, the filing fees involved with these litigations can be difficult for people of limited means to afford, especially when litigation could take years and require representation each step along the way. Legal aid can assist with basic family law needs for those who cannot afford counsel but do not necessarily qualify for other forms of assistance.
Housing Matters
Legal aid organizations often assist with issues involving housing, such as evictions, conditions that are unsafe or in disrepair, and other unlawful lockouts . Some legal aid organizations, such as Legal Services Alabama, file lawsuits on behalf of tenants in Mobile, Montgomery and Birmingham who have been subjected to unlawful evictions.
Consumer Rights
Legal aid lawyers may help clients who have been the victims of credit card fraud, false identity theft, harassment from creditors, wage garnishment, repossession of property or assets, foreclosure and unfair collection practices. Individuals who are facing these matters alone may not know what their individual rights are, and legal aid serves to bridge those gaps, although it’s important to understand legal aid does not provide bankruptcy services.
Some types of issues beyond the scope of legal aid include immigration, personal injury, criminal defense, malpractice and class action litigation. In order to find out if you are eligible for legal aid services, consult the referral hotline for information on local resources.
Legal Help/Advice Resources
For those unable to obtain representation, various self-help tools and resources are available. Pro Bono Resource Centers provide individuals with technology-mediated access to legal information and services. For example, Alabama’s Pro Bono Resource Center was created by some of the best legal minds at the Alabama State Bar, LSC, and VITA, and can connect to pro bono legal services, public benefits legal aid organizations, advice and counsel hotlines, or online resources for assistance.
Online Self-Help Resources
Alabama Legal Help, maintained by the Alabama State Bar Association, provides access to free and low-cost legal assistance, information on family law, and a comprehensive array of other legal resources for use by the general public. LawHelp Interactive is an online platform that allows users to create legal forms based on their unique answers to legal questions. It is a joint project of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), which is committed to increasing access to justice and representation for all people in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many people often wonder if they’re eligible for assistance from a free legal aid service, what the process is for securing that assistance, and whether or not a particular legal aid service is right for their needs. Here, we answer common questions regarding legal aid services in Mobile, AL.
Q: Who is eligible to receive legal aid?
A: Generally, legal aid services help people who cannot afford to hire an attorney. Most legal aid services have income and asset guidelines, which is the basis by which they determine financial eligibility. Refer to each individual legal aid service for their specific financial requirements.
Q: Can I get a divorce for free?
A: In some cases, it’s possible to get help from a free legal aid organization if you can’t afford a private attorney. For a quick overview of this process, read our blog post on free and low-cost divorce in Alabama.
Q: Can I apply for legal aid services online?
A: Many legal aid advocates encourage those who are eligible to apply for legal aid services online. Usually, this entails filling out an application on the organization’s website. If you qualify for services, a panel of lawyers for the bar association will select your case. They’ll then interview you and if they determine a strong enough case exists , your case will be presented to some of the most skilled volunteer attorneys in the area. Applying online for assistance is often much easier than applying in-person.
Q: How long does it take to receive assistance after applying for legal aid services?
A: It all depends on the organization and the number of applications they’re handling at the time, but the general estimate is about 24 hours. We encourage applicants to be proactive and check the legal aid’s website for any status updates. You may also be able to find their contact information on the site as well.
Q: Can I apply for legal aid if I already have a lawyer?
A: Yes! Legal aid services do not only serve people that represent themselves in a legal matter. They handle cases for other lawyers as well.
Q: What types of cases can legal aid services NOT help with?
A: Legal aid services aren’t always able to help with the following cases:
Q: I can’t afford my fees. What should I do?
A: The American Bar Association recommends that you reach out to the court and ask if they can waive or reduce your fees. There may also be free legal aid organizations that can help as well.
Q: Can legal aid services give me advice on how to represent myself?
A: Most legal aid services only represent clients in court. They do not help clients represent themselves in front of other service providers or agencies. Check with each organization for more information on what type of help they provide.