The State Bar of Texas website provides a listing of low-cost civil legal service providers in their Referral Directory for Low-Income Texans. In order to receive services from providers on this list you must meet the provider's eligibility requirements. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements of a reduced-cost legal service provider you can use the State Bar's Lawyer Referral Information Service. The referral service in not a pro bono or reduced cost program, however, you can get a thirty- minute consultation with an attorney for only $20.
Texas Access to Justice Foundation
The Texas Access to Justice Foundation (TAJF) provides funding to over 40 legal aid organizations across the state. TAJF was created by the Texas Supreme Court in the 80's in an effort to provide all Texans with equal access to justice, regardless of their income.
The organizations which receive funding provide low-income individuals with free or reduced cost legal assistance in a wide range of civil matter including family law issues, consumer protection, probate, and housing, to name a few. Although TAJF does not directly provide legal assistance, their website does have a complete list of the organization which received funding last year. You can use the list to find an organization that helps people in your particular situation. The site also has a list of useful links that offer legal assistance at the state and national level.
Lone Star Legal Aid
Lone Star Legal Aid (Lone Star) is one of 40 organizations which receives funding from TAJF (described above). Lone Star serves 72 Texas counties in east, southeast, and northeast Texas. The organization handles legal matters in the following practice areas: family law, welfare assistance, education, housing, healthcare, consumer protection, wills, civil rights, neighborhood disputes, employment, and juvenile issues. All clients must meet Lone Star's financial eligibility requirements, but doing so does not guarantee representation since their funds are limited. If your application is turned down due to lack of funding, Lone Star will do its best to help you, even it means you only get limited advice or representation. At the very least they will be able to refer you to another free legal service provider.
Texas Law Help
Texaslawhelp.org is a website where Texans can find information about a variety of civil legal matters. There is information about virtually every civil matter that could arise. Low-income individuals seeking free or reduced cost legal assistance can use the site to find local nonprofit legal service providers by simply entering their zip code. Locating offices in your area is a crucial step because in most cases, legal nonprofits provide services at the local level. This means that you must reside within an organization's jurisdiction or coverage area.
Texas Legal Services Center
The Texas Legal Services Center (TLSC) is a nonprofit that provides legal assistance and legal education to Texans through a series of public programs. TLSC currently has ten different programs, each of which has its own eligibility requirements. The programs include: Facility http://yle.fi/uutiset/academic_disputed_theory_used_in_child_custody_cases_violates_child_protection_law/8984022 Victim Program, Health Law Project, Legal Hotline, Lawyer Referral Service, Texas Elder Exploitation Project, Texas Kincare Taskforce, South Central Pension Rights Project, VICARS for Crime Victims, and Veterans' Legal Assistance Project. These programs may be of assistance if your legal matter falls within the program's practice areas and if you meet the program eligibility requirements.