Helpful Resources
Essential Legal Tools for Every Individual
Whether you're navigating a legal issue or just want to understand your rights, having access to clear and reliable resources is key. We’ve gathered the best tools to help you take control and find support.

These official sites offer trusted legal information, forms, and tools. Always start here for accurate guidance:
- USA.gov Legal Aid – A centralized page for finding free and low-cost legal help, courts, and lawyer referral services by state..
- LawHelp.org – Find state-specific legal information and local legal aid programs for civil legal issues like housing, family, and immigration..
- Nolo Legal Encyclopedia – Plain-English articles and legal definitions for common situations.
- CourtListener – Free public access to U.S. court opinions and filings.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – Legal resources about credit, housing, and financial rights.
- DOJ Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable (LAIR)
Learn about federal initiatives supporting civil legal aid and access to justice. - Benefits.gov
Official source for government benefit programs including legal assistance, housing help, and public aid.
Directory of legal aid services by location and category
- Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
The largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans. Use their search tool to find local legal aid offices. - ABA Free Legal Help Directory
The American Bar Association offers a state-by-state directory of legal aid, pro bono, and lawyer referral services. - LawHelp.org – Find Legal Help
Locate free legal aid programs near you based on the type of legal issue and your state. - National Center for State Courts (NCSC)
Offers tools to help self-represented litigants connect to legal aid and navigate court systems. - National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
Resources and referrals for individuals facing criminal charges who need defense help but can’t afford an attorney.
Trusted online spaces where you can discuss legal questions with others...
- Avvo Q&A Forum
Ask legal questions and receive brief answers from licensed attorneys in all 50 states. Free and open to the public. - Reddit r/legaladvice
A large, moderated community where users can post legal questions and get feedback from others (note: not official legal advice). - LawGuru
Users can ask legal questions and get answers from a network of U.S. attorneys — searchable by topic. - Justia Ask a Lawyer
A free service where verified attorneys provide answers to public legal questions across a wide range of topics. - Nolo Legal Encyclopedia
While not a forum, Nolo offers readable legal articles and FAQs often linked to user discussions and forums.
Curated list of legal self-help books available online or in libraries...
- Nolo Press Books
Nolo publishes the most widely trusted legal self-help books in the U.S., covering everything from tenant rights to wills, divorces, and small claims court. - Nolo Legal Encyclopedia
Free online articles and excerpts from Nolo books that explain the law in plain English. - California Courts – Recommended Books
A curated list of legal self-help titles available in libraries across California, often free to borrow. - OpenLibrary.org – Law / Self-Help
Borrow self-help legal books digitally from the Internet Archive’s free lending library. - Public Counsel Legal Guides
Free downloadable guides from Public Counsel (Los Angeles) on immigration, housing, guardianship, and more.
Phone numbers for urgent legal support and referral hotlines...
- Legal Aid Hotline (LSC-funded orgs)
Call LSC’s Find Legal Aid tool to locate your local legal aid hotline. Most operate Monday–Friday during business hours. - Disaster Legal Services Hotline
For those affected by natural disasters: Call 1-800-662-4245 (FEMA & ABA collaboration). Free civil legal aid for disaster-related issues. - American Bar Association Free Legal Answers
While not a hotline, this online platform offers free virtual legal help in civil matters: freelegalanswers.org - National Domestic Violence Hotline
Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visit thehotline.org for legal and crisis support 24/7. - Immigration Legal Help Hotline
For immigrants facing legal uncertainty: 1-800-898-7180 (EOIR Case Info Line) or use this directory to find accredited legal services.
Resources on rent disputes, lease agreements, eviction prevention, and housing rights...
- HUD – Tenant Rights by State
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s guide to tenant laws by state, including eviction rules and renters’ rights. - Nolo – Landlord & Tenant Law Center
Easy-to-read legal guides on leases, security deposits, repairs, and evictions from one of the most trusted names in self-help law. - LawHelp.org – Housing Legal Help
State-by-state directory of legal aid services and information for renters and low-income tenants. - Just Shelter
A national directory of organizations helping people facing eviction, housing discrimination, or homelessness.
For General Legal Help & Representation
If you cannot afford an attorney or legal services, contact the Bar Association of your State for referrals on probono services or general law information. They also have a ton of information on their websites for individuals that DIY:
For NY:
New York State Bar Association (NYSBA)
(518) 463-3200
https://nysba.org/
New York City Bar Association
(212) 382-6600
https://www.nycbar.org/
For a complete State list and their website, click here: https://generalbar.com/State.aspx
Other Legal Hotlines
In NY: Most of the hotlines listed provide help in English and Spanish. All of these hotlines are free and confidential.
Visit https://www.lawhelpny.org/hotlines
And choose your topic.
The Older Americans Act provides certain services for people over 60. Anyone over 60 can get free legal advice over the phone. For a list of hotlines across the U.S serving seniors, please visit:
Immigration Matters
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
https://www.uscis.gov/ is the official website of the US Department of Homeland Security.
Here you can access ALL forms, check case statuses, file cases, respond to request for evidence, and so much more!
Immigration Pro-bono Attorneys
The justice department provides a free list of agencies and law organizations providing free legal services for immigration cases for most states
Visit https://www.justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers
National Terrorism Advisory System
The National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) is a system to communicate information about terrorist threats by providing information to the American public. You can subscribe for alerts.
Visit https://www.dhs.gov/national-terrorism-advisory-system
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request
Under this law, and the Privacy Act (PA), you can request:
- Your own immigration records;
- Someone else’s immigration records, if you have their written permission; and
- Agency policies, data, communications, and other records
Visit https://www.uscis.gov/records/request-records-through-the-freedom-of-information-act-or-privacy-act to submit your request online.
NYC’s Immigration Hotline
The City of New York offers New Yorkers free, safe immigration legal help in a network of trusted community-based organizations at community sites, public health facilities, public schools, and libraries. Services are provided in your language. Your immigration status does not matter.
Call (800) 354-0365
Visit: https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/immigration-legal-services.page
Housing/Landlord & Tenant
For All states in the US
The US Department of Treasury
Provides information on emergency rental assistance programs available in your state and other available housing programs
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development
Another great site proving information on programs available in your state
Visit https://www.hud.gov/rent_relief
For tenants facing eviction in NYC
Right-to-counsel legal services are free and available in every zipcode, regardless of immigration status.
Call (718) 557-1379 or (212) 962-4795
Visit the nyc’s HRA website at
Call 311 and ask for the tenant helpline
Contact a nonprofit law office near you- visit the website above for a complete list of law office partners that provide free legal help.
The NYC Courts Help Centers
The Civil Court Help Centers provide free walk-in services to litigants who are not represented by an attorney and have cases pending in the Civil Court of the City of New York.
No appointment is necessary to use the Help Center
Visit https://www.nycourts.gov/courtsnychousing/resourcecenter.shtml for more information and phone numbers
Contact the Coalition for the Homeless
Call (212) 776-2039
Visit https://www.coalitionforthehomeless.org/our-programs/crisis-services/eviction-prevention/