If you live in Phoenix and you can’t afford a private lawyer, you have many options. Several nonprofit and volunteer-lawyer programs offer free or low-cost legal help to people with low or modest incomes. This guide shows where to turn — fast — for civil legal aid in Phoenix, what kinds of cases these groups handle, and how to call for help.
Major Legal Aid Organizations in Phoenix
Community Legal Services, Inc. (CLS)
Community Legal Services is one of the main providers of free civil legal aid in Phoenix and Maricopa County.
- Who they help: Low-income individuals and families living in Phoenix and Maricopa County.
- What cases they take: Housing (eviction defense, unsafe housing, tenant problems), family law (domestic violence, child safety, custody), employment and wage issues, consumer/debt problems, public benefits and health-related legal issues, and help for farmworkers.
- How to contact: Call (602) 258-3434 or toll-free (800) 852-9075. Their office is at 305 S. 2nd Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85003.
- Eligibility: Services are for people who qualify financially and meet civil-aid program requirements. CLS screens based on income and need.
Maricopa County Volunteer Lawyers Program (MCVLP)
MCVLP connects people with volunteer attorneys who offer free or low-cost civil legal services in Maricopa County, including Phoenix.
- Who they help: Low-income and modest-income individuals and families who need civil legal help but don’t qualify for (or can’t get) full legal-aid representation.
- What cases they consider: Family law (divorce, custody, domestic violence), bankruptcy, debt, consumer issues, and other civil disputes depending on the volunteer’s availability.
- How to contact: Phone: (602) 506-7948. MCVLP uses an intake/ screening process before matching you with a volunteer lawyer.
- Eligibility & notes: Income/need-based screening; acceptance depends on volunteer availability, so there’s no guarantee — but it’s a valuable backup if other aid is unavailable.
Free or Low-Cost Clinics & Hotlines in Phoenix
- Arizona Free Legal Answers (via the American Bar Association) — A virtual legal-advice clinic where eligible Arizonans can post civil legal questions (housing, debt, family, employment, benefits, etc.) and get answers from volunteer attorneys. Good for quick advice if you can’t afford a lawyer or need preliminary guidance.
- Referral and low-cost help via the Arizona Bar Foundation & State Bar “Modest Means Project” — If you don’t qualify for free aid but can’t afford standard rates, this program connects you with lawyers offering limited-scope or low-cost representation for certain case types (family law, bankruptcy, housing, immigration, etc.).
What Legal Aid in Phoenix Usually Doesn’t Handle
Even with several strong programs, free or low-cost legal aid has limits. In Phoenix:
- Many programs focus only on civil legal issues (housing, benefits, family law, consumer issues). Criminal defense or traffic-ticket cases are generally not covered.
- Complex commercial litigation, high-value business matters, or large-scale lawsuits are usually outside the scope of aid organizations — since their focus is on low-income individuals and families.
- Because demand is high and resources limited, some people may only get limited help (advice, referrals, form assistance) rather than full representation.
Emergency & Urgent Legal Help in Phoenix
If you face an urgent problem — eviction, housing issues, loss of public benefits, or unsafe living conditions — these resources may help faster than standard legal-aid intake.
- Call CLS or MCVLP immediately — their civil-aid and volunteer-lawyer programs sometimes prioritize housing emergencies or urgent family-law matters (like domestic violence or eviction). Start with CLS’s phone line or MCVLP’s intake line.
- Use Arizona Free Legal Answers for quick guidance — especially when you need to know your rights right away (housing, consumer, benefits, debt). While it doesn’t guarantee full representation, it’s a free way to get legal insight quickly.
- Check the “Self-Help & Resource” directories via the Arizona Legal Center and the State Bar/Bar Foundation portal — these sites list other local clinics, legal-aid programs, and referral services that may have emergency-friendly services.
How to Prepare Before You Call for Legal Aid in Phoenix
Having information and documents ready can make the intake faster and increase your chance of getting help. Before calling or applying, gather:
- Proof of income or benefits (pay stubs, benefit award letters, unemployment documentation, etc.)
- Proof of address or residence (mail, lease, utility bills, etc.)
- Documents related to your issue — e.g. eviction notices, lease/rental agreement, benefit denial letters, pay stubs, bank statements, debt/collection letters, court papers.
- Names and information of household members or dependents (if relevant to eligibility or benefits).
- Clear explanation of what happened, key dates or deadlines (eviction hearing, benefit hearing, court date), and why you need help (housing, safety, income, family, etc.).
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Use the Modest Means & referral programs from the Arizona Bar Foundation / State Bar — get matched with an attorney willing to take reduced-cost or limited-scope cases.
- Use online & self-help tools via AZLawHelp.org — a useful source for free legal guides, forms, and information if you represent yourself or just need documents.
- Ask about unbundled/legal-advice-only services — some volunteer lawyers or modest-means attorneys may offer limited assistance (advice, document review, court prep) rather than full representation. The State Bar’s referral services often list these.
Key Takeaways
- Phoenix has several nonprofits and volunteer-lawyer programs that offer free or low-cost legal help — including Community Legal Services and the Maricopa County Volunteer Lawyers Program.
- If you face housing problems, eviction, benefits issues, family law matters, or debt/consumer issues — there’s a real chance these organizations may help you for free or reduced cost.
- Even if you don’t qualify for full representation, there are alternative pathways: modest-means attorneys, self-help sites, online legal-advice clinics, or limited-scope services.
- Before you call, gather documentation — income, address, issue papers, deadlines — to help the intake staff decide quickly whether they can help you.