Meta: A 2026 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Raleigh, NC — including verified legal-aid providers, who they help, what cases they take, and how to prepare before applying. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Raleigh, NC: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Raleigh and cannot afford a private attorney, several local and statewide organizations provide free or low-cost civil legal help. These providers assist with eviction defense, landlord–tenant disputes, domestic violence, family law matters, debt and consumer issues, immigration-related civil cases, elder law, disability benefits, and public-benefits problems. Even if full representation is unavailable, many organizations offer legal clinics, workshops, or advice lines. (You may also upload documents to the LegalClarity tool for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Raleigh
Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) — Raleigh Office
What they do: The statewide legal-aid program providing free civil legal services to low-income North Carolinians. Areas of help include eviction defense, poor housing conditions, domestic violence, family law (custody, support), consumer issues, debt collection, unemployment benefits, public-benefits disputes, immigration-related civil matters, and elder law.
Contact: Phone: (866) 219-5262. Raleigh office serves Wake County. Website: legalaidnc.org.
Wake County Family Justice Center
What they do: Provides comprehensive services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Services include legal advocacy, protective-order assistance, court accompaniment, safety planning, and referrals for counseling or shelter.
Contact: 24/7 hotline: (919) 828-7740. Website: wakegov.com.
Campbell University Law Clinics (Raleigh Campus)
What they do: Offers free or low-cost support through student-run clinics supervised by licensed attorneys. Areas vary but often include family law, housing issues, domestic violence advocacy, and expunction assistance.
Contact: Phone: (919) 865-4675. Website: law.campbell.edu.
NC Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCCADV)
What they do: Provides legal advocacy, safety planning, resources, and referrals for survivors of domestic violence across North Carolina.
Contact: Phone: (919) 956-9124. Website: nccadv.org.
North Carolina Courts — Self-Help Center
What they do: Offers free court-approved forms and procedural guides for self-represented litigants in family law, landlord–tenant disputes, domestic violence, small claims, and more. No legal advice.
Website: nccourts.gov/help
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Raleigh
- Eviction defense and landlord–tenant disputes
- Unsafe or uninhabitable housing conditions
- Domestic violence and protective orders
- Family law: custody, visitation, child support
- Debt collection, wage garnishment, and consumer fraud
- Public-benefits denials (Food & Nutrition, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI)
- Immigration-related civil matters (non-deportation)
- Elder-law issues including financial exploitation
- Record expunctions (varies by clinic)
What Raleigh Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense matters
- Personal injury or malpractice claims
- Business or commercial litigation
- Immigration removal/deportation cases
- High-asset or complex family-law disputes
When Raleigh Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or court summons: Wake County eviction timelines move fast — contact LANC immediately.
- You experience domestic or sexual violence: Call the Family Justice Center hotline right away.
- You receive garnishment or debt-collection paperwork: Deadlines are strict — keep all documents.
- Your benefits are denied or reduced: You may need to appeal quickly.
- Your home is unsafe or neglected: Document issues with photos and written requests.
- Seniors facing fraud or eviction: Special legal-aid assistance may be available.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Collect key documents: leases, eviction notices, repair requests, photos, benefit denials, ID, pay stubs, court papers, medical/disability records, and debt letters.
- Create a timeline: list dates of notices, communications, payments, repairs, and incidents.
- Prepare household and income information: eligibility is based on financial criteria.
- Draft a brief summary: 2–3 sentences describing your legal issue.
- Highlight urgent factors: eviction risk, DV safety concerns, disabilities, children involved, upcoming court dates.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Wake County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: affordable consultations with private attorneys.
- NC Courts Self-Help Center: free forms and procedural guides.
- Community legal clinics: offered periodically by Campbell Law and LANC.
- LegalClarity document upload tool: get a plain-English explanation (informational only).
Conclusion: Where Raleigh Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Raleigh and cannot afford a lawyer, begin by contacting Legal Aid of North Carolina at (866) 219-5262. Survivors of abuse should call the Wake County Family Justice Center immediately. If you do not qualify for free legal services, consider the Bar Association referral service or upload your documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.