Free Legal Aid in Alabama:
A Complete Guide for Residents

Finding free legal aid in Alabama can make the difference between losing your home, custody of your children, or access to vital benefits—and securing the justice you deserve. Across the state, multiple nonprofit organizations, volunteer lawyers, and law school clinics provide no-cost or low-cost legal services to individuals who cannot afford private attorneys. This guide covers the most important resources and information on how to access free legal assistance in Alabama.

Why Free Legal Aid Matters in Alabama

Alabama has one of the nation’s highest poverty rates, and many residents face serious legal challenges without the resources to pay for a lawyer. Free legal aid organizations exist to:

• Defend against unlawful evictions and foreclosures.
  
  

• Protect survivors of domestic violence and abuse.
  
  

• Help families resolve custody and divorce disputes.
  
  

• Assist seniors and veterans with public benefits and healthcare rights.
  
  

• Provide consumer protection against scams, debt collectors, and predatory lenders.
  
  

These services promote fair access to justice, ensuring that income does not determine whether someone’s rights are protected.

Types of Free Legal Help Available in Alabama

1. Housing and Tenant Rights

• Defense in eviction cases.
  
  

• Help with unsafe living conditions and landlord disputes.
  
  

• Guidance on foreclosure prevention and mortgage issues.
  
  

2. Family Law

• Representation for domestic violence survivors seeking restraining orders.
  
  

• Legal aid in child custody, divorce, and child support cases.
  
  

• Guardianship and adoption assistance for eligible families.
  
  

3. Consumer Protection

• Defense against unfair debt collection lawsuits.
  
  

• Bankruptcy assistance for individuals overwhelmed with debt.
  
  

• Protection from fraud, predatory lending, and scams.
  
  

4. Public Benefits

• Help with Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), Social Security, and disability benefits.
  
  

• Appeals for denied applications.
  
  

• Advocacy for veterans and seniors.
  
  

5. Employment and Income Issues

• Unemployment benefits appeals.
  
  

• Cases involving workplace discrimination or wrongful termination.
  
  

• Assistance with wage theft and overtime disputes.
  
  

Top Free Legal Aid Organizations in Alabama

1. Legal Services Alabama (LSA)

• The primary statewide provider of free civil legal services.
  
  

• Offices located in Anniston, Birmingham, Dothan, Huntsville, Mobile, Montgomery, Selma, and Tuscaloosa.
  
  

• Covers areas such as housing, consumer protection, public benefits, and family law.
  
  

• Offers a toll-free helpline and online intake system.
  
  

2. Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP)

• Connects low-income residents with pro bono attorneys.
  
  

• Focuses on family law, housing, and consumer disputes.
  
  

• Assists individuals living below 125% of the federal poverty level.
  
  

3. Alabama Legal Help

• An online self-help resource with guides, forms, and instructions.
  
  

• Covers topics like divorce, child custody, tenant rights, benefits, and elder issues.
  
  

• Ideal for individuals who plan to represent themselves in court.
  
  

4. Law School Legal Clinics

• University of Alabama School of Law and Cumberland School of Law operate free legal clinics.
  
  

• Students, under supervision of licensed attorneys, handle cases in domestic violence, elder law, housing, and immigration.
  
  

Eligibility for Free Legal Aid in Alabama

Most programs set requirements based on:

• Income level: Typically 125–200% of the federal poverty guidelines.
  
  

• Residency: You must live in Alabama or have a case filed in an Alabama court.
  
  

• Case type: Only civil legal matters qualify (criminal defense is handled by public defenders).
  
  

Applicants usually need to provide:

• Proof of income (pay stubs, SSI, unemployment, or benefits paperwork).
  
  

• Photo identification.
  
  

• Legal documents such as leases, court notices, or benefit denials.
  
  

How to Apply for Free Legal Aid

1. Call Legal Services Alabama (LSA) at their statewide helpline.
   
   

2. Submit an online application through the intake portal.
   
   

3. Provide necessary income and case documents.
   
   

4. If approved, you will be assigned a staff attorney or pro bono lawyer.
   
   

5. If not eligible, organizations provide referrals to self-help tools or other legal resources.
   
   

Key Rights Residents Should Know in Alabama

• Tenants cannot be evicted without a court order.
  
  

• Survivors of domestic violence have the right to emergency protection orders.
  
  

• Landlords must return security deposits within a legal timeframe.
  
  

• Benefits like Medicaid, SSI, and food stamps can be appealed if denied.
  
  

• Consumers have protections against harassment from debt collectors.
  
  

Conclusion

Free legal aid in Alabama ensures that low-income residents have access to the protections and remedies the law provides. With resources like Legal Services Alabama, the Volunteer Lawyers Program, Alabama Legal Help, and law school clinics, families and individuals can find help with housing, family disputes, consumer rights, and public benefits. These organizations are committed to closing the justice gap and ensuring fairness in Alabama’s legal system.