Free & Low-Cost Legal Help
Find free and low-cost legal help in Minnesota. Legal aid organizations, volunteer lawyers, law school clinics, and bar referral services by county and issue.
Not sure where to start?
If you have a legal problem and can't afford a lawyer, start by calling your area's legal aid office. They can help you figure out your options even if they can't take your case. If your issue involves housing, call HOME Line at 866-866-3546 for free tenant advice.
You do not have to face a legal problem alone. Minnesota has legal aid organizations that provide free help to people who qualify based on income. Many also offer free legal clinics, hotlines, and self-help resources regardless of income.
How to Get Help
- Start with your issue. Look at the organizations below and find one that covers your type of legal problem (housing, family, criminal, etc.) and your geographic area.
- Call the intake line. Most organizations have a phone intake process. Call during business hours and be ready to describe your situation.
- Check income eligibility. Most legal aid organizations serve people at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. If you receive public benefits (SNAP, MFIP, SSI, Medical Assistance), you likely qualify automatically.
- If you do not qualify for free legal aid, the Minnesota State Bar Association Lawyer Referral service can connect you with a private attorney for a low-cost initial consultation.
Types of Help Available
- Full representation — A lawyer handles your case from start to finish
- Limited scope (unbundled) — A lawyer helps with a specific part of your case (such as reviewing documents or appearing at one hearing)
- Legal advice hotlines — Quick answers to legal questions by phone
- Self-help clinics — Walk-in help completing forms and understanding procedures
- Online resources — Self-help guides, forms, and legal information
Cannot Afford a Lawyer?
Do not give up on your legal rights because you think you cannot afford a lawyer. Free legal help is available. Even if you do not qualify for full representation, many organizations offer free advice, self-help clinics, and online resources that can help you handle your own case.
Legal Aid Organizations
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid
Toll-free: 888-354-5522
Serves: Hennepin County and surrounding metro area
Issues: Housing, family, public benefits, immigration, disability, consumer
Provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals in the Minneapolis area.
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
Toll-free: 888-575-2954
Serves: Ramsey County and 33 counties in southern Minnesota
Issues: Housing, family, public benefits, immigration, consumer, employment
Provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals in the St. Paul area and southern Minnesota.
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota
Toll-free: 800-622-7266
Serves: Northeastern Minnesota (St. Louis, Carlton, Cook, Lake, Aitkin, Carlton, Itasca, Koochiching, and surrounding counties)
Issues: Housing, family, public benefits, consumer, Native American law
Provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals in northeastern Minnesota.
Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota
Toll-free: 800-450-8585
Serves: Northwestern Minnesota (Clay, Becker, Polk, Norman, and surrounding counties)
Issues: Housing, family, public benefits, consumer, farm/rural issues
Provides free civil legal services to low-income individuals in northwestern Minnesota.
Anishinabe Legal Services
Toll-free: 800-422-1335
Serves: Leech Lake, White Earth, and Red Lake reservations and surrounding areas
Issues: Tribal law, housing, family, public benefits, civil rights
Provides free legal services to Native Americans in northern Minnesota.
Volunteer Lawyers Network
Serves: Hennepin County
Issues: Family, housing, expungement, immigration, estate planning, bankruptcy
Connects low-income individuals with volunteer attorneys for free legal help.
Specialized Services
LawHelpMN
Issues: All civil legal issues — self-help guides, forms, legal aid finder
Statewide online resource for finding legal help, self-help information, and court forms.
HOME Line
Toll-free: 866-866-3546
Issues: Tenant rights, eviction defense, security deposits, repairs, lease issues
Statewide tenant hotline providing free legal advice on housing issues.
Tubman
Toll-free: 866-223-1111
Issues: Domestic violence, sexual abuse, orders for protection, safety planning
Provides legal advocacy, shelter, and support services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
Minnesota Disability Law Center
Toll-free: 800-292-4150
Issues: Disability rights, special education, public benefits, housing, employment discrimination
Provides free legal services to Minnesotans with disabilities on disability-related issues.
Children's Law Center of Minnesota
Issues: Child welfare, foster care, juvenile justice, education, immigration for children
Provides free legal representation for children in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.
University of Minnesota Law School Clinics
Issues: Immigration, housing, criminal defense, civil litigation, Indian law, family law, tax
Law students supervised by licensed attorneys provide free legal services through multiple clinics.
Mitchell Hamline School of Law Clinics
Issues: Criminal defense, immigration, mediation, elder law, civil advocacy
Law students supervised by licensed attorneys provide free legal services through clinical programs.
University of St. Thomas School of Law Clinics
Issues: Immigration, entrepreneurship, elder law, appellate practice
Law students supervised by licensed attorneys provide free legal services in specialized areas.
Lawyer Referral
Minnesota State Bar Association Lawyer Referral
Toll-free: 800-292-4152
Referral service connecting people with private attorneys. Initial consultation typically $50 for 30 minutes.