Meta: A 2025 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Memphis, Tennessee — including verified local and statewide providers, who qualifies, and how to prepare before applying. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Memphis, TN: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Memphis and cannot afford a private attorney, several nonprofit and statewide organizations offer free or low-cost civil legal services. These providers help with eviction defense, family law, domestic violence, benefits appeals, consumer protection, and veterans’ rights. (You can also upload legal documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Memphis
Memphis Area Legal Services (MALS)
What they do: MALS is the primary provider of free civil legal aid for low-income residents in Shelby, Fayette, Tipton, and Lauderdale counties. Services include eviction defense, foreclosure prevention, family law (custody, child support), domestic violence protective orders, consumer and debt issues, and benefits appeals (SSI, SNAP, Medicaid). They also offer legal help for seniors and veterans.
Who they help: Low-income individuals and families meeting financial eligibility (typically under 125% of the federal poverty level), as well as seniors, veterans, and victims of abuse.
Contact: 200 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 200, Memphis, TN 38103. Phone: (901) 523-8822. Toll-free: 1-888-207-6386. Website: malsi.org.
Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS)
What they do: Manages the statewide legal helpline and resource portal Help4TN.org. Residents can call 1-844-HELP4TN to get legal information, referrals, and help with housing, family law, and benefits problems.
Who they help: All Tennessee residents seeking legal help or guidance.
Contact: Phone: 1-844-HELP4TN (1-844-435-7486). Website: help4tn.org.
Community Legal Center (CLC)
What they do: Provides affordable legal services for individuals who don’t qualify for free legal aid but cannot afford private attorneys. Focus areas include immigration law, family law, probate, and landlord–tenant disputes.
Who they help: Moderate-income residents of the Memphis metro area, particularly immigrants and those with limited English proficiency.
Contact: 2574 Sam Cooper Boulevard, Memphis, TN 38112. Phone: (901) 543-3395. Website: clcmemphis.org.
Memphis Bar Association — Access to Justice Committee
What they do: Runs free legal clinics and connects volunteer attorneys to clients through the Access to Justice program. Monthly legal clinics are held in partnership with MALS and the University of Memphis School of Law.
Who they help: Low-income Shelby County residents in need of brief legal advice or full representation for civil issues.
Contact: 145 Court Avenue, Suite 301, Memphis, TN 38103. Phone: (901) 527-3573. Website: memphisbar.org.
YWCA of Greater Memphis — Family Safety Center
What they do: Provides comprehensive services to survivors of domestic violence, including legal advocacy, assistance with protective orders, and connections to pro bono attorneys and MALS staff lawyers.
Who they help: Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in the Memphis area.
Contact: 1750 Madison Avenue, Suite 600, Memphis, TN 38104. 24-hour Crisis Line: (901) 725-4277. Website: ywcamemphis.org.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Memphis
- Eviction defense and landlord–tenant disputes
- Domestic violence and protective orders
- Custody, visitation, and child support
- Consumer and debt collection defense
- Public-benefits disputes (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI)
- Foreclosure prevention and housing discrimination
- Elder law and wills preparation
- Immigration assistance for low-income families
What Memphis Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense or traffic violations
- Personal injury or malpractice cases
- Business or corporate disputes
- High-asset or contested divorce cases
When Memphis Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or summons: Call MALS right away at (901) 523-8822 — eviction cases move quickly.
- You experience domestic or sexual violence: Call the YWCA’s 24-hour Crisis Line at (901) 725-4277 or 911 if unsafe.
- Your benefits are denied or reduced: File an appeal quickly — deadlines are strict.
- You receive debt-collection or garnishment papers: Contact MALS or the Memphis Bar’s Access to Justice program.
- You are an immigrant or senior facing eviction: Contact the Community Legal Center for targeted help.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Gather documents: Leases, court papers, benefit-denial letters, ID, and pay stubs.
- Write a short summary: Describe your legal issue and what you need help with.
- List key dates: Court hearings, deadlines, or notice dates.
- Provide income proof: Pay stubs, unemployment, or benefit statements.
- Highlight urgency: Eviction risk, domestic violence, or loss of benefits.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Low-cost attorneys: Contact the Memphis Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service. (memphisbar.org)
- Statewide resources: Visit Help4TN.org for legal forms and self-help guides.
- Moderate-income options: The Community Legal Center offers reduced-cost legal services.
- LegalClarity tools: Upload documents for plain-English explanations — informational only.
Conclusion: Where Memphis Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Memphis and cannot afford a lawyer, begin by calling Memphis Area Legal Services at (901) 523-8822. For general legal information or referrals, call the statewide Help4TN Helpline. Survivors of domestic violence should contact the YWCA’s 24-hour Crisis Line. If you don’t qualify for free help, contact the Community Legal Center or the Memphis Bar Association for affordable services, or use LegalClarity’s tools for plain-language explanations — informational only, not legal advice.