Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) provides free legal help in non-criminal matters to low-income people in Western North Carolina. Their domestic and sexual violence prevention program helps with protection orders, child custody and support, divorce and separation, and housing/deb/consumer issues. Other service areas include children’s law, elder law, consumer law, immigrant assistance, and more. In order to receive services, clients must meet low-income guidelines. To apply for services, call the intake line or complete the online application. PLS primarily helps people in Buncombe, Avery, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, and Yancey counties, with limited immigration services in other Western North Carolina 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.
Macon
Pisgah Legal Services - Franklin Office
Pisgah Legal Services - Highlands/Cashiers Office
Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) provides free legal help in non-criminal matters to low-income people in Western North Carolina. Their domestic and sexual violence prevention program helps with protection orders, child custody and support, divorce and separation, and housing/deb/consumer issues. Other service areas include children’s law, elder law, consumer law, immigrant assistance, and more. In order to receive services, clients must meet low-income guidelines. To apply for services, call the intake line or complete the online application. PLS primarily helps people in Buncombe, Avery, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, and Yancey counties, with limited immigration services in other Western North Carolina counties.
Madison
Pisgah Legal Services - Marshall Office
Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) provides free legal help in non-criminal matters to low-income people in Western North Carolina. Their domestic and sexual violence prevention program helps with protection orders, child custody and support, divorce and separation, and housing/deb/consumer issues. Other service areas include children’s law, elder law, consumer law, immigrant assistance, and more. In order to receive services, clients must meet low-income guidelines. To apply for services, call the intake line or complete the online application. PLS primarily helps people in Buncombe, Avery, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, and Yancey counties, with limited immigration services in other Western North Carolina counties.
Mecklenburg
Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy
Helps people in the Charlotte area who cannot afford legal services for a wide range of civil matters. They offer legal services to immigrants regardless of status, and protect low-income, non-English-Speaking, Latinx residents and immigrants of other national origins from exploitation. Immigrant services include: aid for victims of family abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, and gender-based violence; representation in immigration court; legal orientation for custodians of unaccompanied migrant children, and more.
Legal Aid of North Carolina - Charlotte Office
Legal Aid of North Carolina provides free legal assistance in civil matters to low-income individuals. They can help with protective orders, child custody, and other services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. There are no income restrictions for these services. Other areas of service include housing, consumer, employment, and public benefits. Apply for services by calling their Helpline or by completing the online form. The Charlotte office serves Mecklenburg County.
Mitchell
Pisgah Legal Services - Spruce Pine Office
Pisgah Legal Services (PLS) provides free legal help in non-criminal matters to low-income people in Western North Carolina. Their domestic and sexual violence prevention program helps with protection orders, child custody and support, divorce and separation, and housing/deb/consumer issues. Other service areas include children’s law, elder law, consumer law, immigrant assistance, and more. In order to receive services, clients must meet low-income guidelines. To apply for services, call the intake line or complete the online application. PLS primarily helps people in Buncombe, Avery, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, and Yancey counties, with limited immigration services in other Western North Carolina counties.
Morganton
Legal Aid of North Carolina - Foothills Office
Legal Aid of North Carolina provides free legal assistance in civil matters to low-income individuals. They can help with protective orders, child custody, and other services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. There are no income restrictions for these services. Other areas of service include housing, consumer, employment, and public benefits. Apply for services by calling their Helpline or by completing the online form. The Foothills office serves Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, and McDowell counties.