Can you afford a lawyer if you need one? Sure, the state will give you a public defender if you're charged with a crime, and if you have a potentially profitable lawsuit, a personal injury attorney will take your case on contingency – they get paid when you win your case. But what if you're getting divorced or fighting for custody or child support? What if you have a dispute with your landlord or employer? What if you're the one that's being sued? These are the situations in which low-income people who lack the means to pay hefty fees for legal representation often find that they've fallen into cracks in the court system. The average hourly rate for a lawyer is between $100 and $200 in rural areas, and between $200 and $400 in major cities – rates that are out of reach for many. But there is help out there if you know where to look for it.
First, Try Legal Aid
Legal aid is a broad term that encompasses both public and private legal solutions for people in financial need. They're usually staffed by paralegals, law students, and lawyers performing pro bono services. If you have a law school in your local area, the chances are good that they have an affiliated legal aid clinic. If not, you can find legal aid in your area by checking with your local courthouse or social services office – someone there should be able to direct you to a local legal aid clinic.
Each clinic has their own rules about who qualifies for services, but usually you'll have to prove that your income falls below a certain threshold. Legal aid clinics also handle only certain types of cases – usually civil matters, family law or domestic violence cases, housing disputes, and disability, public benefits, or consumer issues. Some will also handle immigration matters.
Consider Self-Help Legal Services
What happens if you don't qualify for legal aid, or it isn't readily available in your area, but you still can't afford a lawyer? Self-help legal services are a less expensive option that can help many people. Usually, self-help legal services are staffed by paralegals, who generally cannot actually represent you in court. However, they can help with a number of minor legal problems – if you need to file for divorce or request a restraining order, for example, these services can make sure that you have the right forms, help you fill them out correctly, and give you the information you need to be sure that they're properly filed with the court.
At least one state, Washington, has taken things a step further by creating a new class of legal professional – the limited license legal technician (LLLT). While LLLTs still can't represent clients in court and are currently limited to family law matters, they can prepare court documents and do legal research like lawyers do. In the future, LLLTs may have a broader scope of practice, and other states are interested in adopting similar programs. Self-help legal services and LLLTs give you an affordable legal assistance option for minor legal matters.
Try Pricing Local Lawyers
What if you have a legal problem that's too complex for self-help or LLLT services but legal aid is not an option? In this case, it's worth talking to some lawyers in your area. You may have more affordable options than you think. Start by calling your state and county legal bar associations. These organizations will usually have lists of lawyers and law firms in the area who are willing to help clients pro bono or for a reduced fee.
If that doesn't help, then start calling individual lawyers in your local area. Many lawyers offer a first meeting for free, so you have nothing to lose by meeting with them. Lawyers in private practice set their own fees, so you have room to negotiate if they're open to it. If your case piques the attorney's interest or tugs at their heartstrings, they may be willing to lower their rates, represent you pro bono, or work out a payment schedule that you can handle. Or they may be able to use their professional contacts to point you in the direction of a colleague that can work with you.
Finding affordable legal help can be tough, but when the stakes are high, it's worth putting in the effort. Representing yourself is rarely a good idea – you'll be held to the same standards as a licensed attorney in court, even if you've never cracked open a law book. Research all the free and low-cost legal options in your area before heading to court by yourself.
