ABA Free Legal Answers: Free Legal Advice Online
ABA Free Legal Answers is an online legal advice clinic run by the American Bar Association. People who qualify can post a civil (non-criminal) legal question at no cost, and a volunteer lawyer licensed in their state answers it in writing. The volunteers do not represent users in court. Each participating state has its own site, and a separate federal site takes immigration and veterans' questions. For low-income people who need more help, legal aid organizations funded by the Legal Services Corporation are another option.
What the law says
- ABA Free Legal Answers describes itself as a virtual legal advice clinic where qualifying users post civil legal questions at no cost, to be answered by pro bono (volunteer) attorneys licensed in their state. ABA Free Legal Answers (American Bar Association)
- The program is a project of the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service. ABA Free Legal Answers, What is ABA Free Legal Answers
- To use it, you first answer a few questions to see if you qualify, then ask the volunteer attorneys a specific question about your civil legal issue; you get an email when your question receives a response. ABA Free Legal Answers (American Bar Association)
- Volunteer attorneys must be authorized to provide pro bono help in their state. They log in, choose questions, and provide legal information and advice. Volunteer attorneys will not answer criminal law questions. ABA Free Legal Answers, What is ABA Free Legal Answers
- Question topics include family, divorce, custody, housing, eviction, homelessness, consumer rights, financial, work, employment, unemployment, health and disability, civil rights, income maintenance, juvenile, and education law. ABA Free Legal Answers (American Bar Association)
- Participating states listed by the program include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. California is listed on the program's home page, but the California site says the service will be available soon. ABA Free Legal Answers (American Bar Association)
- A separate federal site takes questions on immigration (such as deportation, asylum, green cards, work permits, and DACA) and veterans' issues (such as VA benefits, discharge upgrades, and VA debts). It does not accept questions about divorce, child custody or support, housing, debts, probate, or similar state-law matters. ABA Free Legal Answers, Federal site
- Example (Texas): the Texas site asks users to answer honestly and register only for themselves, not for someone else, and says its volunteer lawyers can't call you and can't represent you in court. ABA Free Legal Answers, Texas site
- As an alternative, the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) funds local legal aid organizations that help with civil legal problems; LSC grantees help people in households with annual incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. Legal Services Corporation, How We Work
- LSC's website has a search tool to find an LSC-funded legal aid organization near you by entering an address or city. Legal Services Corporation, Get Legal Help
FAQ
Is ABA Free Legal Answers really free?
Yes. The program says qualifying users post civil legal questions at no cost, and they are answered by volunteer attorneys licensed in their state.
Who qualifies?
You answer a few screening questions on your state's site to see if you qualify. The program directs users to their state's page or the federal page for details.
Can I ask about a criminal case?
No. The program says volunteer attorneys will not answer criminal law questions.
Will the volunteer lawyer represent me in court?
No. The Texas and federal sites say the volunteer lawyers can't call you and can't represent you in court.
Can I ask an immigration question?
Yes, through the program's federal site, which takes immigration and federal veterans' questions.
What if I need a lawyer to take my case?
Legal aid organizations funded by the Legal Services Corporation help people with civil legal problems whose household incomes are at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. You can search for one near you on LSC's website.
Related
- How Lawyers Charge: Hourly, Flat and Contingency Fees
- How Much Does a Real Estate Lawyer Cost?
- How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost?
- How to Find a Good Lawyer
- How to Get a Free or Low-Cost Lawyer Consultation
- Can't Afford a Lawyer? Payment Plans and Low-Cost Options
- Lawyer vs. Attorney: Is There a Difference?
- What Is a Pro Bono Lawyer, and How Do You Find One?
- Finding a Lawyer & Legal Help by state
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.