Provides free legal services for civil law problems to low-income in 11 counties. Types of cases they can accept include: divorce cases involving custody or abuse, custody, paternity, orders of protection, and more. Call the office to apply for services and determine eligibility. Serving Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Chariton, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Miller, Moniteau, Osage, and Randolph counties.
Legal Assistance
Included in this list are organizations that provide free or low-cost legal services to victims of abuse and others who qualify. Even if the organization does not have a lawyer available to represent you in court, you may want to ask if there is a lawyer who you can consult with to get advice. Please note that we list the organizations by the town/city or county where the office is located – however, many offices may likely serve multiple counties. We indicate the “counties served” whenever possible. You can click “View All” to look through the complete list of organizations. You can also contact law schools in your area to ask if they have a legal clinic.
Boone
Mid-Missouri Legal Services - Columbia Office
Buchanan
Legal Aid of Western Missouri - St. Joseph Office
Provides free legal services for civil cases to low-income and elderly people in 40 counties. Eligibility for services may be based on income of all people living in your home, and the type of legal problem. They accept family law cases that involve domestic violence, and can help with protective orders, paternity, divorce, and child custody/support. Other service areas include immigration services for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, public benefits, guardianship, and more. To apply for services, call one of the Legal Aid offices or complete the application on their website. The St. Joseph office serves Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Putnam, Sullivan, and Worth counties.
Cape Girardeau
Legal Services of Southern Missouri - Cape Girardeau Office
Provides free legal services to low-income and elderly people in 43 counties. Their core legal services are in the areas of domestic and sexual violence, family law, consumer law, housing, public benefits, and elder law. Services for victims of abuse, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking include orders of protection, safety planning, divorce, child custody, and immigration. Eligibility for legal aid may be based on income and assets of all members of the household and the legal problem. Apply for services by completing an application in person, by phone, or online.
Cole
Mid-Missouri Legal Services - Jefferson City Office
rovides free legal services for civil law problems to low-income in 11 counties. Types of cases they can accept include: divorce cases involving custody or abuse, custody, paternity, orders of protection, and more. Call the office to apply for services and determine eligibility. Serving Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Chariton, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Miller, Moniteau, Osage, and Randolph counties.
Franklin
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri - Union Office
Provides free legal services in civil cases to low-income and elderly residents in 21 counties. The types of cases handled include housing, domestic violence, immigration, public benefits, senior cases, and more. They can only accept divorce cases that are directly related to domestic violence or abuse. To apply for services, call the intake line or complete the online application. Interpreter services are available for non-English speaking and hearing impaired applicants; please request this when making your first call to the intake line.
Greene
Legal Services of Southern Missouri - Springfield Office
Provides free legal services to low-income and elderly people in 43 counties. Their core legal services are in the areas of domestic and sexual violence, family law, consumer law, housing, public benefits, and elder law. Services for victims of abuse, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking include orders of protection, safety planning, divorce, child custody, and immigration. Eligibility for legal aid may be based on income and assets of all members of the household and the legal problem. Apply for services by completing an application in person, by phone, or online.
Jackson
Legal Aid of Western Missouri - Central Office
Provides free legal services for civil cases to low-income and elderly people in 40 counties. Eligibility for services may be based on income of all people living in your home, and the type of legal problem. They accept family law cases that involve domestic violence, and can help with protective orders, paternity, divorce, and child custody/support. Other service areas include immigration services for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, public benefits, guardianship, and more. To apply for services, call one of the Legal Aid offices or complete the application on their website. The Central office serves Clay, Jackson, and Platte counties.
Jasper
Legal Aid of Western Missouri - Joplin Office
Provides free legal services for civil cases to low-income and elderly people in 40 counties. Eligibility for services may be based on income of all people living in your home, and the type of legal problem. They accept family law cases that involve domestic violence, and can help with protective orders, paternity, divorce, and child custody/support. Other service areas include immigration services for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, public benefits, guardianship, and more. To apply for services, call one of the Legal Aid offices or complete the application on their website. The Joplin office serves Barton, Bates, Jasper, McDonald, Newton, and Vernon.
Johnson
Legal Aid of Western Missouri - Warrensburg Office
Provides free legal services for civil cases to low-income and elderly people in 40 counties. Eligibility for services may be based on income of all people living in your home, and the type of legal problem. They accept family law cases that involve domestic violence, and can help with protective orders, paternity, divorce, and child custody/support. Other service areas include immigration services for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, public benefits, guardianship, and more. To apply for services, call one of the Legal Aid offices or complete the application on their website. The Warrensburg office serves Benton, Camden, Carroll, Cass, Henry, Hickory, Johnson, Lafayette, Morgan, Pettis, Ray, Saline, and St. Clair counties.
Marion
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri - Hannibal Office
Provides free legal services in civil cases to low-income and elderly residents in 21 counties. The types of cases handled include housing, domestic violence, immigration, public benefits, senior cases, and more. They can only accept divorce cases that are directly related to domestic violence or abuse. To apply for services, call the intake line or complete the online application. Interpreter services are available for non-English speaking and hearing impaired applicants; please request this when making your first call to the intake line.
Phelps
Legal Services of Southern Missouri - Rolla Office
Provides free legal services to low-income and elderly people in 43 counties. Their core legal services are in the areas of domestic and sexual violence, family law, consumer law, housing, public benefits, and elder law. Services for victims of abuse, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking include orders of protection, safety planning, divorce, child custody, and immigration. Eligibility for legal aid may be based on income and assets of all members of the household and the legal problem. Apply for services by completing an application in person, by phone, or online.
Scott
Legal Services of Southern Missouri - Sikeston Office
Provides free legal services to low-income and elderly people in 43 counties. Their core legal services are in the areas of domestic and sexual violence, family law, consumer law, housing, public benefits, and elder law. Services for victims of abuse, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking include orders of protection, safety planning, divorce, child custody, and immigration. Eligibility for legal aid may be based on income and assets of all members of the household and the legal problem. Apply for services by completing an application in person, by phone, or online.
St. Louis
Crime Victims Center
Provides resources, counseling, advocacy, referrals, and legal services for victims of crime in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The Legal helpline provides safety planning, crisis support, legal options and information, county-specific filing procedures, and legal referrals to callers regardless of geographic location. Helpline callers that request free legal representation will complete an intake form to determine eligibility. Free legal representation is offered for order of protection hearings in St. Louis City and County, and Jefferson, Franklin, Warren, and Washington counties. Specialized services are provided for immigrants and refugees.
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri - Main Office
Provides free legal services in civil cases to low-income and elderly residents in 21 counties. The types of cases handled include housing, domestic violence, immigration, public benefits, senior cases, and more. They can only accept divorce cases that are directly related to domestic violence or abuse. To apply for services, call the intake line or complete the online application. Interpreter services are available for non-English speaking and hearing impaired applicants; please request this when making your first call to the intake line.
West Plains
Legal Services of Southern Missouri - West Plains Office
Provides free legal services to low-income and elderly people in 43 counties. Their core legal services are in the areas of domestic and sexual violence, family law, consumer law, housing, public benefits, and elder law. Services for victims of abuse, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking include orders of protection, safety planning, divorce, child custody, and immigration. Eligibility for legal aid may be based on income and assets of all members of the household and the legal problem. Apply for services by completing an application in person, by phone, or online.