How to Qualify for Legal Assistance

Retaining the services of an attorney is not cheap and not everyone can afford quality legal representation. Legal Aid is a welfare provision that grants individuals the right to have equal representation and to ensure that they have a right to a fair trail. Obtaining the services of legal aid varies by state.

1. Locate your local Legal Aid office and fill out an application. Not everyone qualifies for free legal aid. The department looks at applicants that have cases that qualify for legal aid and if the applicants have limited resources. The application requires standard information such as: name, address, occupation and any assets that you have.

2. Provide an account of your legal problem. This is the main factor in determining whether or not you can receive legal aid. If you have any type of court documents or other information that will help you present your case, bring it with you to your appointment. Legal Aid's goal is to make sure that all eligible applicants receive the help they need with their cases.

3. Consult with your court appointed attorney. Once you establish need, legal aid will provide a court appointed attorney to handle your case. Many court appointed attorneys provide their legal expertise as a service to the community. Some law firms appoint these attorneys specifically for this type of work. Discuss your case in detail with the attorney so that you know how the proceedings will take place in court.

4. Put aside money to take care of extra costs. Although legal aid pays for the bulk of your services, you are still required to pay for court and filing fees yourself.