Free and low-cost divorce help — legal aid, domestic violence resources, and court self-help
Getting a divorce when you cannot afford an attorney is one of the more complicated legal situations a low-income person can face. Courts require specific paperwork, filings happen in a particular order, and mistakes in forms can cause significant delays.
Free legal help does exist — through federally funded legal aid, domestic violence-specific programs, and court-based self-help centers at the courthouse. What is available depends on your income, your situation, and where you live. This page covers each option and how to access it. For a broader overview of civil legal aid programs, see the guide to free legal advice and legal aid programs. For pro bono attorneys, local legal clinics and bar association referrals, see the pro bono lawyers and volunteer attorneys page
Legal aid attorneys for divorce
Federal government-funded organizations in every state, part of the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) program, provide free legal assistance with divorce to people who meet income eligibility requirements — generally households at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. These programs handle divorce cases involving child custody, child support, division of assets, protective orders, and other related family law matters.
Free legal aid is particularly useful when the divorce is contested, when children are involved, when a spouse is represented by a private attorney, or when property needs to be formally divided. For a straightforward uncontested divorce with no minor children and no significant assets, self-help options described below may be sufficient. When the situation is more complex, an attorney makes a material difference.
To find the legal aid office serving your area, use the locator at https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/i-need-legal-help. A major focus is on helping women that need a divorce due to domestic abuse, abandonment, and similar challenges. Call or apply online as early as possible, as programs with high case volume sometimes have waiting periods before intake appointments become available.
Domestic violence situations — additional resources
People leaving abusive relationships often face additional legal issues that extend beyond divorce alone: protective orders, emergency custody arrangements, housing, and safety planning all require urgent attention. These cases also often require that the abuser not know the person's location or contact information, which changes how legal proceedings have to be handled.
Beyond LSC-funded programs, federal funding through the Violence Against Women Act supports legal assistance specifically for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. These programs — often housed within domestic violence organizations or as specialized units within legal aid offices — can handle divorce, custody, protective orders, and immigration issues for survivors who might not otherwise qualify or who need a program that specifically understands the safety considerations involved.
WomensLaw.org maintains a state-by-state directory of legal resources specifically for victims of abuse, including organizations that provide free or reduced-cost legal assistance. That directory is at https://www.womenslaw.org/find-help/finding-lawyer. The site also provides plain-language explanations of state laws on protective orders, divorce, and custody for each state, which helps people understand their rights before speaking with an attorney.
If you are in immediate danger, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 before pursuing legal proceedings. The website is https://www.thehotline.org/. A hotline advocate can help with safety planning and connect you to local resources.
Court self-help centers
Most state court systems operate self-help centers at courthouses specifically to assist people who are navigating family law cases without an attorney. Staff at these centers — who are not attorneys and cannot give legal advice — can help you find the correct forms, explain how the filing process works, review completed forms for completeness before you submit them, and direct you to other resources in the community.
Self-help centers are free to use. They are not a substitute for a lawyer in complex cases, but they can make it possible for people to handle straightforward uncontested divorces on their own. To find one, call the clerk of court at your county courthouse and ask whether a family law self-help center or family law facilitator is available. Most courthouses can answer that question by phone.
Many states also provide divorce and custody forms directly on their court websites, along with step-by-step instructions for filing. Searching your state name plus "court self-help divorce forms" will usually bring up the official state court self-help portal.
Self-help legal resources online
State-specific legal self-help portals, LawHelp.org, and other nonprofit sites provide fillable forms, step-by-step guidance, and plain-language explanations of divorce procedures by state. These are most useful for uncontested divorces in which both spouses agree on all terms. For a fuller overview of self-help legal tools and online legal resources, see the guide to free legal resources that are self-help options.
What free divorce representation actually covers
When a legal aid attorney or pro bono attorney represents you in a divorce, the representation typically includes filing all required paperwork with the court, communicating with the opposing spouse or their attorney, drafting a settlement agreement, preparing documents related to child custody and support, and appearing in court hearings on your behalf. In domestic violence situations, the attorney can also seek emergency protective orders and coordinate with other service providers.
Representation does not cover disputes outside the divorce itself — a landlord dispute or a bankruptcy proceeding, for example, would need to be handled separately. If you have multiple legal issues, your legal aid office may be able to help you identify which other programs or attorneys can assist with each one.
Community forum — information on free or low-cost divorce programs from around the country
Anyone who goes through a divorce knows it can be difficult - financially and emotionally. While there are free and affordable legal options as noted above, the resources are limited. NHPB has a moderated community forum, with a thread about legal help filing a divorce. Find that discussion at the forum topic about free legal aid for a divorce.
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