Meta: A statewide 2026 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in North Dakota — including verified statewide providers, tribal legal services, what cases they handle, and how residents can prepare before applying. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in North Dakota: Free & Low-Cost Legal Help Across the State
North Dakota has a small number of concentrated legal-aid providers that serve residents statewide, including people in rural communities and tribal nations. If you live anywhere in North Dakota and cannot afford a private attorney, several organizations offer free or low-cost civil legal help. These groups handle housing problems, evictions, domestic violence, family law issues, debt and consumer disputes, elder law, disability benefits, public-benefits appeals, and rural-agricultural legal needs. (You may upload documents to the LegalClarity tool for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Primary Statewide Legal Aid Providers
Legal Services of North Dakota (LSND)
What they do: LSND is the largest statewide provider of free civil legal services for low-income residents, seniors, tribal members, and vulnerable populations. They assist with eviction defense, unsafe housing, domestic violence protective orders, custody and child support, debt collection, consumer issues, unemployment appeals, disability benefits, elder law, and agricultural legal issues affecting rural residents.
Who they help: Low-income individuals, seniors (60+), veterans, tribal members, and rural residents.
Contact: Statewide: (800) 634-5263. Fargo office: (701) 232-3301. Website: legalassist.org.
Tribal Legal Services (various nations)
Several tribal justice programs provide civil legal help for enrolled tribal members. Services vary by tribe but typically include family law, domestic violence protective orders, housing issues, elder support, and civil rights matters.
- Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Legal Services — tmchippewa.com
- Spirit Lake Tribe Legal Assistance — spiritlakenation.com
- Standing Rock Tribal Court & Legal Services — standingrock.org
Contact each tribal program directly for eligibility and availability.
High Plains Fair Housing Center
What they do: Provides statewide assistance for housing discrimination, unsafe housing conditions, accessibility violations, and landlord retaliation. Helps tenants file fair-housing complaints and negotiate resolutions.
Contact: Phone: (701) 203-1077. Website: highplainsfhc.org.
North Dakota Legal Self-Help Center (ND Courts)
What they do: Offers free court forms, instructions, and procedural guides for people representing themselves in civil matters including family law, landlord–tenant disputes, small claims, and protective orders. No legal advice.
Website: ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help.
Rape & Abuse Crisis Center of Fargo–Moorhead
What they do: Serves much of eastern North Dakota with legal advocacy, protective-order assistance, court accompaniment, and emergency support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or trafficking.
Contact: Crisis line: (701) 293-7273. Website: raccfm.com.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered Across North Dakota
- Eviction defense and landlord–tenant disputes
- Unsafe or uninhabitable rental housing
- Domestic violence protective orders and crisis support
- Family law issues including custody, visitation, and child support
- Debt collection, garnishment, and consumer fraud
- Public-benefits denials (SNAP, Medicaid, disability benefits)
- Unemployment insurance appeals
- Rural and agricultural civil legal issues
- Elder law and financial exploitation
- Housing discrimination and fair-housing claims
What Legal Aid in North Dakota Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense or traffic cases
- Personal injury or medical malpractice lawsuits
- Business or commercial litigation
- Immigration deportation/removal defense
- High-conflict or high-asset family-law litigation
When North Dakota Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice: Deadlines are short — seek help right away.
- You experience domestic or sexual violence: Call the Rape & Abuse Crisis Center or a local tribal crisis service immediately.
- You receive garnishment or debt-collection paperwork: Retain all documents — deadlines are strict.
- Your benefits are denied or reduced: Appeals must often be filed quickly.
- Your home is unsafe or the landlord refuses repairs: Document conditions with photos and written requests.
- Seniors facing eviction or exploitation: Specialized legal services are available through LSND.
How to Prepare Before Applying for Legal Aid
- Gather documents: leases, notices, debt letters, benefit denials, ID, pay stubs, tax returns, medical records, and court papers.
- Create a timeline: list dates for notices, communication, payments, repairs, and incidents.
- Prepare household financial information: income, expenses, benefits, and household size for eligibility screening.
- Write a short summary: 2–3 sentences explaining your legal issue.
- Highlight urgent factors: homelessness risk, domestic violence, disability, or looming court deadlines.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- State Bar Association of North Dakota Lawyer Referral: affordable consultations with private attorneys.
- ND Courts Self-Help Center: free statewide forms and instructions for self-represented residents.
- High Plains Fair Housing Center: for discrimination or unsafe housing concerns.
- LegalClarity document upload: get a plain-English explanation (informational only).
Conclusion: Where North Dakota Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in North Dakota and cannot afford a lawyer, your first step should be calling Legal Services of North Dakota at (800) 634-5263. For domestic violence emergencies, contact the Rape & Abuse Crisis Center or tribal crisis services. If you don’t qualify for free help, use the State Bar referral service or upload your documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.