Meta: A 2026 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Fayetteville, NC — including verified organizations, who they help, what cases they take, and how to prepare before applying. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Fayetteville, NC: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Fayetteville and need legal help but cannot afford a private attorney, several nonprofit and statewide providers offer free or low-cost civil legal assistance. These organizations help with eviction defense, unsafe or uninhabitable housing, domestic violence protective orders, family law issues, debt and consumer problems, immigration-related civil matters, elder law, disability benefits, and public-benefits appeals. Even if full representation is unavailable, many also provide clinics, advice lines, and referrals. (You may also upload documents to the LegalClarity tool for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Fayetteville
Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) — Fayetteville Office
What they do: LANC is the primary provider of free civil legal services for Cumberland County. They handle eviction defense, landlord–tenant disputes, unsafe housing, domestic violence, family law (custody, child support, visitation), consumer protection, debt collection, unemployment benefits, disability appeals, and public-benefits disputes.
Contact: Phone: (866) 219-5262. Website: legalaidnc.org.
Cumberland County Family Justice Center
What they do: Provides coordinated services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse. Services include protective-order assistance, legal advocacy, crisis counseling, court accompaniment, and safety planning.
Contact: Phone: (910) 677-2532. Website: ccccumberland.org.
Legal Aid of North Carolina — Domestic Violence & Child Custody Support Units
What they do: Specialized statewide teams providing legal support for domestic violence survivors, including emergency protective orders, custody issues involving safety, and related family-law matters.
Contact: Phone: (919) 828-5655 (statewide line). Website: legalaidnc.org.
North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV)
What they do: Provides trauma-informed advocacy, safety planning, legal education, and referrals for survivors throughout the state.
Contact: Phone: (919) 956-9124. Website: nccadv.org.
North Carolina Courts — Self-Help Center
What they do: Provides free court forms and procedural instructions for people representing themselves in landlord–tenant cases, protective orders, family-law matters, small claims, and more. No legal advice.
Website: nccourts.gov/help.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Fayetteville
- Eviction defense and landlord–tenant disputes
- Unsafe or uninhabitable living conditions
- Domestic violence protective orders and advocacy
- Family law: custody, visitation, child support
- Debt collection, garnishment, and consumer fraud
- Public-benefits denials (Food & Nutrition, Medicaid, disability benefits)
- Unemployment insurance appeals
- Civil immigration matters (not deportation)
- Elder law and exploitation issues
- Record expunction assistance (varies by organization)
What Fayetteville Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense matters
- Personal injury or medical malpractice cases
- Business or commercial disputes
- Immigration removal/deportation cases
- Complex or high-asset family-law litigation
When Fayetteville Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or lawsuit: Eviction cases move quickly — contact LANC immediately.
- You experience domestic or sexual violence: Contact the Family Justice Center emergency line right away.
- You receive debt-collection or garnishment paperwork: Keep all documents — deadlines are strict.
- Your benefits are denied or terminated: Appeals often have short filing windows.
- Your home is unsafe or the landlord refuses repairs: Document all problems with photos and written notices.
- Seniors at risk of eviction or financial abuse: Special support may be available.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Gather documents: leases, eviction notices, repair requests, photos, benefit denials, ID, pay stubs, tax returns, disability/medical records, and any court papers.
- Create a timeline: list when key events occurred — notices, payments, repairs, communication, incidents.
- Organize household and financial information: required for eligibility screening.
- Write a short summary: 2–3 sentences describing your legal issue.
- Highlight urgent factors: eviction risk, domestic violence, disability, children involved, or imminent hearings.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Cumberland County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: low-cost consultations with private attorneys.
- NC Courts Self-Help Center: free forms and procedural instructions.
- Community legal clinics: periodic pro bono events hosted by LANC and partner nonprofits.
- LegalClarity document upload tool: get a plain-English explanation of your documents (informational only).
Conclusion: Where Fayetteville Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Fayetteville and cannot afford a lawyer, begin by contacting Legal Aid of North Carolina at (866) 219-5262. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the Cumberland County Family Justice Center immediately. If you do not qualify for free legal services, use the Bar Association’s referral service or upload your documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.