Looking for legal help in North Carolina?
The UNC School of Law Clinical Programs allows second- and third-year law students to assist low-income residents of North Carolina with their legal issues.
The following clinics generally receive their cases from referring organizations: Civil Legal Assistance Clinic, Economic Justice Clinic, Family Defense Clinic, Immigration Clinic, and Youth Justice Clinic. These clinics typically do not accept cases directly from the public. People looking for help with these issues should select one of the options below to seek legal help.
If you are a former servicemember seeking assistance with a discharge-status upgrade, please call our Military and Veterans Law Clinic at 919-962-2888 (Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–5 p.m.). This clinic primarily focuses on Other Than Honorable (OTH) and Bad Conduct discharges. If you are a former servicemember but your issue does not involve your discharge status, please select “I am a servicemember or former servicemember needing legal assistance” below.
The UNC School of Law Institute for Innovation houses the Startup NC Law Clinic, the Intellectual Property Clinic, and the Community Development Law Clinic. If you are looking for assistance related to a business or nonprofit venture, please call 919-445-0695 to speak with someone from the Institute for Innovation (Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–5 p.m.). Potential clients of the Startup NC Law Clinic may submit a request for legal services during certain times of the year.
We hope you find a resolution to your situation.
Please note that the following links and telephone numbers are strictly for information purposes. The UNC School of Law Clinical Programs neither endorses nor has any formal affiliation with the organizations listed below.
I am looking to do some research or represent myself in court.
The Kathrine R. Everett Law Library at Carolina Law is open to the public. Visit the website for the schedule and instructions to access the library.
LawHelpNC.org offers free information about a wide variety of criminal and civil legal questions.
The Caselaw Access Project allows users to search for published court decisions online for free. Court Listener is another resource that allows users to search for legal decisions by case name, topic, or citation.
If you are in Wake County, you may visit the Wake County Legal Support Center, which is a resource hub in the courthouse for self-represented litigants. They are located in the Wake County Courthouse, 316 Fayetteville Street, Room 125, and are open Monday-Friday, 8:30 am -5:00 pm.
I am looking for a quick answer to a legal question.
The American Bar Association operates a service called Free Legal Answers, a virtual legal-advice clinic. You may ask a non-criminal legal question, and a volunteer attorney will answer via email. Your income must fall below a certain level to use this free service.
Unfortunately, many legal questions do not have quick answers. You may still need to retain a lawyer using the other resources found on this page.
I would like a referral to a private attorney.
Contact the North Carolina Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service (919-677-8574) for a referral to an attorney who will offer you an initial 30-minute consultation for $50. If you don’t know what type of lawyer you need, the Lawyer Referral Service staff will assist you.
I am a full-time student at the University of North Carolina with a legal need.
The UNC School of Law Clinical Programs does not represent current students. If you need legal assistance, please contact Carolina Student Legal Services (919-962-1303) for legal advice or representation.
I am over the age of 60 and need legal assistance.
The Legal Aid of North Carolina Senior Law Project runs a free legal helpline for North Carolina residents over 60. Call 1-877-579-7562 any weekday between 9–11a.m. or 1–3 p.m.
I am a servicemember or former servicemember needing legal assistance.
Thank you for your service. Unfortunately, the UNC Military and Veterans Law Clinic is currently only able to assist low-income former servicemembers who have issues related to their discharge type or characterization. If your issue relates to your discharge type or characterization, call the Military and Veterans Law Clinic at 919-962-2888 (Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).
Other organizations that assist qualifying North Carolinians at little to no cost with discharge type and characterization issues include:
The following people should contact their military branch’s nearest Legal Assistance Office for help with legal issues:
- Servicemembers currently serving in Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard status
- Family members of servicemembers currently serving in Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard status
- Military retirees
If you are looking to file an initial claim for benefits with the Department of Veterans Affairs, we recommend that you first contact a Veterans Service Organization (VSO).
If you are looking to appeal your Veterans Claim with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA) or Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program (888-838-7727, Option 3), may be able to provide assistance.
Many other local and national organizations offer legal services to current and former servicemembers who need assistance, including financial and housing assistance. For example, the organization America Serves has branches throughout North Carolina. To learn more about North Carolina’s branches, visit the NCServes website.
For other legal issues, Stateside Legal maintains a directory of legal organizations that assist servicemembers and former servicemembers. The American Bar Association Home Front also offers information and legal help for current and former servicemembers and their families. Current or former servicemembers in crisis should contact the confidential Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255) to speak with a trained responder.
I need help with a family law matter like divorce or child custody.
Legal Aid of North Carolina helps with family law issues through two self-help clinics: Simple Divorce and Child Custody and Visitation. You can download information packets and watch recordings of the clinics on YouTube. Legal Aid may be able to offer additional help via their toll-free helpline (1-866-219-5262). Please be aware that Legal Aid receives thousands of requests for assistance each year. Due to high demand and limited resources, wait times to request legal help may be longer than usual.
The North Carolina Central University Family Law Clinic also helps clients and community members with various family law issues. Call 919-530-7116 for assistance.
You can also contact the Compass Center (919-968-4610) for information and referrals related to family law in North Carolina.
If your family law issue involves domestic violence, please select “I need help related to domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking” below for additional resources.
I need help related to domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking.
If you are looking for help with a Domestic Violence Protection Order (“restraining order”), call Legal Aid of North Carolina at 1-866-219-5262. Please be aware that Legal Aid receives thousands of requests for assistance each year. Due to high demand and limited resources, wait times to request legal help may be longer than usual.
If you are looking for immigration assistance (VAWA, U Visa, T Visa) related to the violence you have experienced, contact the Legal Aid Immigration Pathways for Victims (IMMPAV) Project (1-866-204-7612).
The North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence also provides a list of domestic violence service providers in North Carolina.
You can contact the Compass Center (919-929-7122) for other services and referrals related to domestic and sexual violence.
I am a tenant looking for help with a housing issue involving my landlord, eviction, or housing discrimination.
Legal Aid of North Carolina provides assistance on various housing issues. For issues such as evictions, maintenance disputes, and foreclosures, call Legal Aid’s general helpline at 1-866-219-5262.. Please be aware that Legal Aid receives thousands of requests for assistance each year. Due to high demand and limited resources, wait times to request legal help may be longer than usual.
For issues specifically involving housing discrimination, contact the Legal Aid’s Fair Housing Project (1-855-797-3247).
Legal Aid also has Self-Help Tenant Rights clinics online. You can review information online or watch a recording of the clinic on YouTube.
The Durham Eviction Diversion Program offers free eviction advice for qualifying tenants at their Durham Courthouse Clinic. The clinic’s hours are Monday-Friday 9AM-12PM. You can either visit the Durham Courthouse in person on the 3rd floor (Room 3200) or call them at 984-212-4404.
I am worried about losing my house or my land.
If you are at risk of foreclosure, consult this list of housing-counseling organizations approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Legal Aid of North Carolina also offers help with issues related to mortgage and foreclosure. To request help, call the Legal Aid helpline (1-866-219-5262). Please be aware that Legal Aid receives thousands of requests for assistance each year. Due to high demand and limited resources, wait times to request legal help may be longer than usual.
If you are a farmer or landowner at risk of losing your land, contact the Land Loss Prevention Project (1-800-672-5839).
I need help with a consumer issue.
If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam, contact the NC Attorney General’s consumer hotline at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM (1-877-566-7226) or 919-716-6000. You may also file a consumer complaint online.
You may also wish to file a complaint with a national agency, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The CFPB will work with the company to try to get a resolution within 15 days.
Legal Aid of North Carolina offers help with a variety of consumer-related issues. For issues such as mortgage or foreclosure, auto, debt collection, and unfair/deceptive trade practices, call the Legal Aid helpline (1-866-219-5262). Please be aware that Legal Aid receives thousands of requests for assistance each year. Due to high demand and limited resources, wait times to request legal help may be longer than usual.
You can find a list of local consumer attorneys registered with the National Association of Consumer Advocates using the list on the NACA website.
You can find information about local consumer bankruptcy attorneys registered with the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys using the NACBA Member Database.
If you are at risk of foreclosure, consult this list of housing-counseling organizations approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
I want to get my criminal or juvenile record expunged.
Legal Aid of North Carolina helps with criminal record expunctions through its Self-Help Criminal Record Expunction clinics. You can watch a recording of the clinic on YouTube. Legal Aid may be able to offer additional help via their toll-free helpline (1-866-219-5262). Please be aware that Legal Aid receives thousands of requests for assistance each year. Due to high demand and limited resources, wait times to request legal help may be longer than usual.
If you live in Durham, you may be eligible for the Durham Expunction & Restoration Program (DEAR). The program is located on the sixth floor of the Durham County Courthouse (510 S Dillard St., Suite 6400, Durham, NC 27701). You can request assistance at the DEAR office Monday–Friday from 9:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome.
If you live in Charlotte, you may contact the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy. To find out if you are eligible for an expunction, call 704-376-1600, ext. 510 to speak to someone about your situation and register for an expunction clinic, or submit the inquiry form on the website.
I am looking for help for an incarcerated person (myself or someone else).
North Carolina Prisoner Legal Services assists incarcerated people in correcting errors in their convictions and sentences. They also assist with prisoners’ civil rights claims, such as use of force by prison staff, dangerous prison conditions, inadequate medical care, religious freedom, and free-speech issues. You may reach NC Prisoner Legal Services by calling 919-856-2200 or sending a letter to PO Box 25397, Raleigh, NC 27611.
The UNC Law Innocence Project collaborates with the NC Center on Actual Innocence to assist prisoners and their family members in challenging wrongful convictions. Please visit the North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence website to read about how to submit a claim.
I need help with an advance directive like a will, living will, or healthcare power of attorney.
Legal Aid of North Carolina helps with wills, living wills, and powers of attorney. Call the helpline (1-866-219-5262). Please be aware that Legal Aid receives thousands of requests for assistance each year. Due to high demand and limited resources, wait times to request legal help may be longer than usual.
Legal Aid of North Carolina also runs Self-Help Health Care POA & Living Wills Clinics. You can watch an instructional video on YouTube.
If you are a first responder, you may be eligible to attend a “Wills for Heroes” clinic hosted by the North Carolina Bar Foundation. See available dates and sign up here.
I am having a dispute with my employer or former employer.
Legal Aid of North Carolina offers help with a variety of employment-related issues, including unemployment compensation and wage theft. To request help, call the Legal Aid helpline (1-866-219-5262). Please be aware that Legal Aid receives thousands of requests for assistance each year. Due to high demand and limited resources, wait times to request legal help may be longer than usual.
Legal Aid of North Carolina also runs Self-Help Employee Rights clinics. You can watch a recording of the clinic on YouTube.
Workers in the agriculture or poultry-processing industries may wish to contact the Legal Aid of North Carolina Farmworker Unit at 919-856-2180 or review their online publications.
I need help with a civil liberties or civil rights issue.
You may request help from the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina by using this online form or by sending a letter to PO Box 28004, Raleigh, NC 27611. You might also try contacting the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (202-662-8600), a national organization that has an office in the Triangle.
I need legal help related to a medical issue like medical malpractice or health insurance.
For an extensive list of low-cost healthcare providers and health-related legal services in the Triangle Area, refer to this publication by the Carolina Health Law Organization.
For free help enrolling in affordable health insurance on the Health Insurance Marketplace, contact the NC Navigator Helpline at 1-855-733-3711 or make an appointment online.
If you are looking for help with a case involving medical malpractice or a wrongful death, you may need to retain a private attorney using the Lawyer Referral Service (919-677-8574). Please be advised that many attorneys take these cases on a contingency basis, meaning that you may not have to pay unless you win your case.
If you are living with HIV or cancer and are experiencing legal problems related to your diagnosis, please contact the Duke Law Health Justice Clinic (919-613-7169).
I would like free help with a legal issue not listed here.
Legal Aid of North Carolina assists with a wide variety of legal issues beyond those listed here. Legal Aid publishes a full list of the services they offer on their website. You may contact Legal Aid via their helpline (1-866-219-5262). Please be aware that Legal Aid receives thousands of requests for assistance each year. Due to high demand and limited resources, wait times to request legal help may be longer than usual.
The North Carolina Justice Center (919-856-2570) may also be able to take some civil litigation cases.
If you live in Western North Carolina (Buncombe, Madison, Transylvania, Henderson, Polk, and Rutherford Counties), you may also be able to obtain assistance from Pisgah Legal Services by calling 828-253-0406 or applying for help online.
If you live in the Charlotte area (Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, and Union Counties), you may be able to obtain assistance from the Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy by calling 704-376-1600.