If you live in Little Rock and can’t afford a private lawyer, you’re not alone. Several nonprofit and volunteer-lawyer organizations in Arkansas provide free or low-cost civil-legal help to low-income residents. This guide shows where to turn — quickly — for legal help in Little Rock, what issues are covered, and what to expect when you call.
Major Legal Aid Organizations in Little Rock
Legal Aid of Arkansas (State-wide; Little Rock office)
- Who they help: Low-income individuals and families across Arkansas, including residents of Little Rock and Pulaski County.
- What cases they take: Civil legal issues including housing/eviction, landlord/tenant disputes, public-benefits issues, consumer/debt matters, protection orders/domestic violence, disability rights, garnishment, eviction defense, and more.
- How to contact: Phone: 1-800-9-LAW-AID (1-800-952-9243) for statewide intake. For the Little Rock office: visit 320 Executive Court, Little Rock, AR 72205, or the fair-housing office at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (11 Children’s Way).
- Eligibility: Typically limited to applicants at or below about 125% of the federal poverty guidelines; some exceptions (e.g., survivors of domestic violence) may apply.
Center for Arkansas Legal Services (CALS)
- Who they help: Low-income residents of Little Rock and many counties across Arkansas. Their Little Rock office is at 201 E. Markham, Suite 500, Little Rock, AR 72201.
- What cases they take: Civil-law matters: housing, evictions, consumer debt, family law (custody, domestic violence, divorce), public benefits, elder law, disability rights, bankruptcy, and more.
- How to contact: Call Helpline: 501-376-3423 (Mon–Thu 9:00–11:00 AM & 1:00–3:00 PM) or toll-free 1-800-950-5817. TTY: 1-800-285-1131; Spanish option available.
Free or Low-Cost Clinics & Hotlines in/near Little Rock
- AR Free Legal Answers — Online legal-advice clinic for qualifying low-income Arkansans. You can post non-criminal civil questions (housing, benefits, consumer, family law, etc.) and get answers from volunteer attorneys.
- Local pro bono and volunteer-lawyer services — Many attorneys volunteer through the statewide network tied to Legal Aid and CALS. These may offer limited-scope or full-representation civil-law help.
- Self-help & DIY resources via Arkansas Law Help — Provides free guides, court forms, and legal info for those who need to handle their case themselves.
What Legal Aid in Little Rock Usually Doesn’t Handle
- Criminal defense — Legal Aid of Arkansas, CALS, and related programs focus on civil matters (housing, benefits, family, consumer, etc.).
- Complex corporate or high-value commercial litigation — Aid is targeted at individuals and families with basic needs, not big business or corporate cases.
- Due to high demand: limited capacity — Even eligible clients may only receive advice, brief services (e.g. letters, forms), or be put on waiting lists for full representation. Not all cases accepted.
Emergency & Urgent Legal Help in Little Rock
If you’re facing urgent problems — eviction, risk of homelessness, unsafe housing, domestic-violence issues, benefit denial, or utility shut-offs — these services may be prioritized:
- Call Legal Aid of Arkansas via 1-800-9-LAW-AID immediately — they accept many urgent housing, eviction, domestic-violence, and benefit-related civil matters.
- Contact CALS via its Little Rock office or helpline — they handle emergency civil issues such as housing, domestic violence, and consumer emergencies.
- Use AR Free Legal Answers for quick guidance — helpful while you wait for intake or if you need initial advice fast.
How to Prepare Before You Call
Having the right documents and information ready when you call will help the intake staff assess your situation more quickly and possibly get you help sooner.
- Proof of income or benefits (pay stubs, benefit letters, disability, unemployment, etc.) — helps determine eligibility.
- Relevant documents related to your legal issue — lease/rental agreement if housing; eviction notices, landlord letters, utility shut-offs, unsafe housing documentation; benefit-denial letters; debt or collection notices; court notices or summons; domestic-violence or protection-order paperwork.
- Household information — number of household members, dependents, their ages, relationship, income sources, etc. This helps assess income/asset eligibility.
- If there’s an upcoming deadline — court date, eviction date, utility shut-off, benefit-deadline — write it down. Urgent timing may affect prioritization.
- A clear, simple summary of what’s happening: what, when, who’s involved, and what you need (housing help, benefits, safety, debt relief, etc.). That helps intake staff decide quickly if they can help you.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- AR Free Legal Answers (online legal-advice clinic) — You can get free guidance and help with questions, paperwork, or next steps even if full representation isn’t possible.
- Volunteer or modest-means attorneys via pro bono networks (through Legal Aid / CALS) — Sometimes limited-scope or reduced-fee help is available even if you don’t meet full eligibility.
- Self-help through Arkansas Law Help — Use free guides, court forms, and instructions to represent yourself if needed.
Key Takeaways
- Little Rock is served by strong statewide legal-aid organizations — Legal Aid of Arkansas and CALS — that provide free civil-legal help for housing, benefits, family law, debt, consumer, and more.
- If you’re facing serious civil issues — eviction, unsafe housing, benefit denial, domestic violence, debt, or consumer problems — there’s a real chance you may qualify for free legal aid or advice.
- Emergency situations often get priority — call early and with all relevant documents ready.
- If you don’t qualify for full representation — free online legal-advice services, limited-scope volunteer attorneys, or self-help resources remain viable options.
- Before calling, gather income info, any relevant documents (housing, benefits, debts, etc.), household info, deadlines, and a clear explanation of your situation — that helps legal-aid staff assess and respond quickly.