Last reviewed: 3 October 2026
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Where to get free or low-cost legal help for a debt problem
USAGov says some programs give free legal advice and may help you find a free or low-cost lawyer. Some limit their services to people with low incomes.[1] It lists consumer law, including bankruptcy, debt collection and repossession of personal property, among the issues you may be able to get help with, depending on where you live.[1] This page lists the places USAGov and the CFPB name. We do not rate them or say which fits you.
The short version
- USAGov lists programs that include Legal Services Corporation, LawHelp.org, law school pro bono programs and an American Bar Association service for people with low incomes.[1]
- The CFPB lists other ways to find a lawyer: a lawyer referral service, state-based legal aid programs, and, for servicemembers, a local JAG office.[2]
- Before hiring a lawyer, the CFPB says it is a good idea to check that the lawyer is in good standing with the state bar.[2]
- If you are thinking about bankruptcy, the U.S. Trustee Program publishes lists of the credit counseling agencies and debtor education providers it approves.[3]
Programs USAGov lists
USAGov says these programs offer a variety of ways to get legal aid, and you can search for help in your state using a zip code or address.[1]
| Program | What USAGov says it does |
|---|---|
| Legal Services Corporation (LSC) | Find legal aid in your community for people with low incomes.[1] |
| LawHelp.org | Find free legal aid near you and get answers to your legal questions. These services are for people with low to moderate incomes.[1] |
| Directory of law school pro bono programs | Find a law school pro bono program in your state.[1] |
| Law Help Interactive | Helps you fill out legal forms for free, such as for uncontested divorce, identity theft, visitation rights and landlord/tenant disputes.[1] |
| American Bar Association free legal answers | People with low incomes can ask questions online and have a lawyer answer them. The service will not answer questions involving crimes.[1] |
USAGov also lists resources for specific groups. For military members and veterans it names Stateside Legal and the Department of Veterans Affairs' legal clinics. For seniors it names the Eldercare Locator and the Pension Rights Center. For people with disabilities it names the National Disability Rights Network.[1]
Other ways the CFPB says to find a lawyer
- Contact a lawyer referral service in your area, including through the American Bar Association website or your state bar association.[2]
- Identify state-based legal aid programs for low-income consumers.[2]
- If you are a servicemember, consult your local JAG office.[2]
- Ask people you know for suggestions, or get a referral from an attorney you know.[2]
The CFPB says to look for a lawyer with experience in consumer law, debt collection defense or the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). It says that, depending on the amount and nature of your debt, you may wish to consult a bankruptcy lawyer.[2]
Questions the CFPB suggests asking a lawyer
- How much of your work involves consumer law and representing consumers?[2]
- How many cases like mine have you handled before?[2]
- Do you charge an up-front fee?[2]
- Will I have to pay even if I lose my case in court?[2]
- If I cannot afford to hire you, can you refer me to a consumer law attorney who may not charge up-front fees?[2]
Check the lawyer and bring your records
- Check the state bar. The CFPB says to search the lawyer's name on the website of the state bar where the lawyer is licensed, or call the state bar, to make sure the lawyer is in good standing. It says some states have more than one bar organization, and to contact the "mandatory" bar association, not a "voluntary" one.[2]
- Bring copies, not originals. The CFPB says to bring copies of your records about the debt and of your communications with the collector, and never to leave originals with anyone.[2]
- Tell the collector. The CFPB says that, under federal law, a debt collector must go through your attorney if it knows you have one. It says it is a good idea to tell the collector the attorney's name and contact details, and that if your lawyer does not respond to the collector in a reasonable time, the collector may contact you directly.[2]
If you are thinking about bankruptcy
The U.S. Trustee Program says credit counseling must be obtained before an individual files for bankruptcy, subject to very limited exceptions, and that the case could be dismissed if the course is not completed first. It says debtor education is a separate course taken after filing, and that with limited exceptions debtors must complete it to receive a discharge.[3] The page links to its lists of approved credit counseling agencies and debtor education providers.[3] See bankruptcy credit counseling and the debtor education course.
How to verify this yourself
- Open USAGov's page and use the search tools it links to for your state.[1]
- Read the CFPB's page on finding a lawyer for debt collection problems.[2]
- Check any lawyer on your state bar's website before you meet, as the CFPB advises.[2]
What this page does not cover
It does not say which program covers your problem, whether you qualify, or what any lawyer will charge. USAGov says that what help you can get depends on where you live.[1] We link only to USAGov, the CFPB and the U.S. Trustee Program and name the other programs in plain text, so check each program's own site. It is general information, not legal advice.
Your next step
If you have been sued, check the date in the court papers first and read sued for a debt: what happens. Then use one of the programs above to find a lawyer or legal aid office. For nonprofit money counseling, see nonprofit credit counseling. Before you pay any company for debt help, run the checks in our company-check hub. Our Standard shows how we check those companies.
When we will update this page
We revisit it when USAGov or the CFPB revises these pages. Sources last read 3 October 2026.
What you can do next
- Find a company — see which specific US companies we checked and what we could verify.
- How we check — the rules and sources behind each result.
- More credit help guides
- Report an error on this page or in a result.