Legal Aid in Chandler, AZ: How to Get Help in Maricopa County

If you live in Chandler and need legal assistance but can’t afford a private lawyer, this guide outlines real, verified organizations and resources offering free or low-cost civil legal aid — from tenant and housing help to family law, consumer issues, and more.

Major legal aid resources serving Chandler

Community Legal Services, Inc. (CLS)

What they do: CLS is a nonprofit law firm providing free civil-legal services across Maricopa County (which includes Chandler). They handle housing (tenant/landlord rights, evictions, habitability), family-law issues (domestic violence, custody/support, divorces in eligible cases), consumer protection, employment/wage disputes, public benefits, and more.

Who they help: Low-income residents of Chandler / Maricopa County, based on income/assets eligibility — often at or below 125% of the federal poverty level, though some grants may allow somewhat higher income depending on circumstances.

How to contact: CLS offers statewide intake through AZLawHelp.org or by calling (602) 258-3434 or toll-free (800) 852-9075, Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–2:00 PM.

Supplemental help & support services for Chandler residents

• Legal-information, forms & self-help clinics: The county’s court system (through the Law Library Resource Center) and related programs provide self-help materials, document templates, and access to legal-information clinics for civil-law issues.
• Voluntary / limited-scope legal help: For those who don’t qualify for full legal aid, the Modest Means Project (through the state bar) offers reduced-fee representation or brief consultations.
• Referral to private attorneys when full aid isn’t available: The Maricopa County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service can connect you to a private attorney for a modest consultation fee (common fee: ~$40 for an initial consult).
• Senior-specific help (60+): The Arizona Senior Citizens Law Project (ASCLP) provides free legal help for seniors in Maricopa County, including Chandler — for estate issues, guardianship, benefits, and elder-law matters.

Common issues these resources cover — and what they usually don’t

Covered civil areas: Tenant/landlord disputes and evictions; housing-habitability issues; consumer/debt problems; wage or employment disputes; public-benefits denials; family-law (domestic violence, custody/support, qualifying divorces); and other civil-law needs for low-income individuals or seniors.

Usually not covered: Criminal-defense cases (except in limited, court-appointed contexts), complex business or commercial litigation, large personal-injury lawsuits, many high-fee commercial disputes, or specialized legal problems outside aid-agency scope. For those, consider limited-scope or private-attorney options via the referral services.

When to reach out right away

• Eviction notice, lockout threat, or unsafe housing: Contact CLS immediately — housing help and tenant rights are core CLS services.
• Domestic violence, child-custody/support, or urgent family matters: If you qualify, call CLS or explore senior-law/volunteer-attorney programs.
• Consumer fraud, wage theft, employment issues, or debt collection pressure: CLS and related civil-aid resources may be able to help — gather documentation and apply as soon as possible.

How to prepare before you call or apply

1. Gather all relevant documents: lease or rental agreement, eviction or notice letters, rent receipts, pay-stubs or employment records, benefits or subsidy letters, debt/collection or consumer paperwork, court filings, IDs, income proof, and any deadlines or hearing dates.
2. Make a timeline of events: when problems began (missed rent, denied benefits, wage issues, domestic-law incidents), when notices came, and any upcoming deadlines or hearings — this helps intake staff evaluate urgency and eligibility quickly.
3. Have household & income info ready: number of people living in your household, monthly income, benefits, assets — many aid providers screen eligibility based on these.
4. Prepare a clear summary of what you need: e.g. “I received eviction notice,” “I need protective order,” “I’m behind on rent and facing lockout,” “I was underpaid,” etc. This helps intake staff quickly understand your case.
5. Note any special circumstances or vulnerabilities: e.g. domestic violence, disability, senior status, children, risk of homelessness — these often impact prioritization.

Alternatives if you don’t qualify for free aid

• Modest Means Project — low-cost or limited-scope representation: Useful if you don’t meet full-aid income criteria but cannot afford private-attorney rates.
• Private attorney referral via Maricopa County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service: For a modest consultation fee (~$40), they’ll refer you to attorneys with experience in your legal issue.
• Self-help tools & online resources: Use AZLawHelp.org for court forms, legal-information guides, and resources if you plan to handle a simple matter yourself.

Conclusion: Where to start if you need legal help in Chandler

If you live in Chandler and need civil legal help, start by calling (602) 258-3434 (or toll-free 800) 852-9075) to apply to Community Legal Services, or begin an application on AZLawHelp.org. Have relevant documents, income info, and a clear description of your issue ready to speed up intake. If CLS can’t take your case (or you don’t qualify), consider using the Modest Means Project, a volunteer-attorney program, or referral via the Maricopa County Bar Association. This gives you a clear starting point no matter your financial situation.