Free Legal Aid in Houston

You do not need money to get a lawyer in Houston. The city has one of the strongest networks of free legal aid organizations in the country. Whether you are facing eviction, a family law crisis, an immigration issue, a consumer dispute, or need help with benefits — there is a free legal resource for you.

These organizations serve people who cannot afford private attorneys. Most have income eligibility requirements (typically 200% of poverty or below), but some programs serve anyone regardless of income.

Source: Houston Bar Association; Lone Star Legal Aid

Major free legal aid providers in Houston:

• Lone Star Legal Aid — the largest. Covers housing, family, consumer, public benefits, disaster recovery. Full representation (not just advice). Call 713-652-0077 or apply at lonestarlegal.org.
• Houston Volunteer Lawyers (HVL) — coordinated by the Houston Bar Association. Matches you with a private attorney who volunteers their time. Covers family law, wills, consumer, immigration. Call 713-228-0732.
• Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) — bilingual (English/Spanish). Immigration, employment, housing, family law. Call 888-988-9996.
• YMCA International Services — immigration legal services. Low-cost. Call 713-339-9015.
• South Texas College of Law clinics — law students supervised by professors. Family law, wills, small business, immigration.

What free legal aid covers:

• Eviction defense and landlord disputes
• Divorce, custody, protective orders
• Immigration (DACA renewals, asylum, naturalization, family petitions)
• Wills, advance directives, powers of attorney
• Public benefits (SNAP denials, Medicaid, SSI appeals)
• Consumer issues (debt collection, predatory lending)
• Expunction and nondisclosure (clearing criminal records)

Source: Lone Star Legal Aid; Houston Volunteer Lawyers

Step 1: Call the right organization

• Not sure where to start? Call 713-228-0732 (Houston Volunteer Lawyers). They triage across all legal issues and can refer you to the right provider.
• For immigration specifically: call YMCA International Services at 713-339-9015 or TRLA at 888-988-9996.
• For eviction: call Lone Star Legal Aid at 713-652-0077 immediately — time matters.

Step 2: Prepare for your intake

• Have ready: your ID, any court documents or letters you have received, proof of income, and a written summary of your situation.
• Be honest about your financial situation — eligibility is based on income, and they need accurate numbers.

Step 3: Know what to expect

• Intake can take 1-3 weeks depending on demand.
• Some cases get full representation (a lawyer handles everything). Others get "brief services" (advice, document review, help preparing for court).
• If you are facing a court deadline, tell them the date. They can sometimes expedite.

Legal aid hotlines:

• Houston Volunteer Lawyers: 713-228-0732
• Lone Star Legal Aid: 713-652-0077
• Texas RioGrande Legal Aid: 888-988-9996
• YMCA International Services: 713-339-9015

Online:

• lonestarlegal.org — apply online
• texaslawhelp.org — self-help legal information and forms

Court self-help:

• Harris County Law Library: 713-274-6300 — free legal research assistance
• Harris County District Clerk self-help center: 201 Caroline, Houston — help filing court documents