How to Save Money on Legal Services

1. Check free civil legal aid first

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) is an independent nonprofit set up by Congress in 1974. It funds 129 independent nonprofit legal aid organizations in every state, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. Use the LSC Get Legal Help search (opens in a new tab) to find the organization that serves your address.

LSC-funded help is for people with low incomes, and each organization sets its own priorities and income rules, so it is worth checking even if you are not sure you qualify. Many states also have legal aid groups that are not LSC-funded. LawHelp.org (opens in a new tab) lists free legal aid, legal information and free forms by state.

Need a quick answer to a civil question? ABA Free Legal Answers (opens in a new tab) lets qualifying users post a civil legal question online for a volunteer lawyer. It is available in many states, plus a federal page for immigration and federal veterans' questions, and you answer a few questions first to see if you qualify.

2. Veterans and service members

VA's Office of General Counsel keeps a Legal Help for Veterans (opens in a new tab) page. It notes that many legal service providers offer free legal clinics in VA facilities and links a listing of those pro bono clinics. VA also points to the Veterans Justice Outreach Specialist at the nearest VA Medical Center as a source of information on local legal help. VA does not endorse the providers on its list.

Stateside Legal (opens in a new tab) has free self-help information for veterans, service members and their families on benefits, discharge upgrades, housing, money and debt, family matters and more. The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP) (opens in a new tab) helps with areas such as discharge upgrades, medical retirement, combat-related special compensation and appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The ABA's Home Front directory, linked from FindLegalHelp.org (opens in a new tab), lists more military and veteran legal resources. See also our Veterans and Military page.

3. Use a bar lawyer referral service

If you do not qualify for free help, a lawyer referral service run by a state or local bar association is a good next step. The ABA describes these as public-service oriented services that help you find the right lawyer; find yours through the ABA's Hire a Lawyer page (opens in a new tab).

Many referral services offer a first consultation for a reduced fee. The fee, the length of the meeting and what happens after it vary by service and are Unknown nationally, so ask before you book. A short paid consultation is often the cheapest way to learn whether you need a lawyer at all.

4. Law school clinics

Many law schools run clinics where law students, supervised by licensed lawyers, help members of the public at no charge. Clinics usually handle specific areas such as housing, family, small business, immigration or wills, and they often follow the school calendar. Search the website of the law schools in your state for their clinic list. Which clinics exist and who they serve varies by school (Unknown nationally).

5. Pay only for the part you need

Limited-scope, or unbundled, representation means a lawyer handles only part of your matter, such as reviewing a contract, coaching you before a hearing or drafting one document, while you handle the rest. The ABA Model Rule 1.2(c) allows a lawyer to limit the scope of representation if the limit is reasonable under the circumstances and the client gives informed consent. Each state adopts its own version of the rules, so ask lawyers in your state whether they offer it.

Flat fees are another way to know the cost up front. Many lawyers charge one set price for routine work like a simple will, a power of attorney, an uncontested divorce filing or a business formation. Get the flat fee, what it includes and what costs extra (such as court filing fees) in writing before you start.

6. Prepaid legal plans and employer legal benefits

Prepaid legal plans, sometimes called legal insurance, charge a monthly or yearly fee for access to a network of lawyers. The ABA describes them as plans that give subscribers who pay a modest monthly cost access to lawyers who can handle basic legal problems. Coverage often includes phone advice, letters or calls on your behalf, document review and simple wills, with discounts on bigger matters.

Before you join, compare what is covered, what is excluded, any waiting periods, how you pick or change lawyers, the hourly rate for work outside the plan and how to cancel. A plan can be good value if you expect to use it; if you rarely need a lawyer, a one-time consultation or flat fee may cost less. Some employers offer a group legal plan as a voluntary benefit during open enrollment, so check your benefits portal or ask HR.

7. Court self-help, DIY forms and fee waivers

Most state court systems have self-help centers or online self-help pages with forms and instructions for common matters like small claims, landlord and tenant cases, name changes and some family cases. Search your state court's website for "self-help." LawHelp.org also links free forms by state.

Online tools can produce simple documents, such as a basic will or power of attorney, for less than a lawyer. Signing and witness rules differ by state, and a document that is not signed correctly may not hold up. Talk to a lawyer before you go it alone if you have a blended family, own a business or property in more than one state, have a child with special needs, expect a dispute, or face a deadline, criminal charge, immigration issue or lawsuit.

If you cannot afford court filing fees, ask the court clerk about a fee waiver. Federal courts use an application to proceed without prepaying fees or costs (form AO 240 (opens in a new tab)), and state courts have their own fee waiver forms and rules.

This is not legal advice

We are not lawyers, and this page is general information, not legal advice. Laws, fees and program rules change and differ by state. For advice about your situation, talk to a licensed lawyer in your state or one of the free legal aid resources above.