Meta: A plain-language 2025 guide to free and low-cost legal aid in Pembroke Pines, FL — including real organizations that serve Broward County, who they help, what cases they accept, and how to prepare before contacting them.
Legal Aid in Pembroke Pines, FL: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
Pembroke Pines residents who cannot afford a private attorney still have access to several nonprofit legal-aid programs serving Broward County. These organizations help with eviction defense, landlord/tenant disputes, domestic violence, family law, consumer and debt issues, elder law, public benefits, and other civil-law matters. If full representation isn’t available, residents can also access pro bono clinics, limited-scope services, and self-help resources. (You may additionally offer the LegalClarity document-upload tool to help users understand their legal papers — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Pembroke Pines
Legal Aid Service of Broward County (LAS)
What they do: LAS is Broward County’s primary civil-legal aid provider for low-income individuals. They help with housing/eviction defense, unsafe housing, debt collection, consumer fraud, domestic violence, family law (in limited cases), veterans’ legal issues, elder law, public benefits, and immigration-related civil matters.
How to contact: Phone: (954) 765-8950. Address: 491 N State Road 7/441, Plantation, FL 33317. Website: browardlegalaid.org.
Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida (CCLA)
What they do: CCLA offers free civil-legal services for eligible low-income residents, including family law, elder law, immigration assistance (civil matters), domestic violence support, consumer protection, and public-benefits issues.
How to contact: Phone: (954) 736-2400. Website: coasttocoastlegalaid.org.
Broward Lawyers Care (Pro Bono Program)
What they do: Operated through Legal Aid Service of Broward County, this pro bono network offers free consultations and, in some cases, limited representation. They assist with eviction questions, family law, guardianship, debt/consumer problems, and housing disputes.
How to contact: Phone: (954) 355-6256 (when hotline is active). Website: browardlegalaid.org.
Common Legal Issues Covered in Pembroke Pines
- Evictions, landlord/tenant disputes, unsafe or uninhabitable housing
- Debt collection, garnishment, credit-report errors, consumer fraud
- Domestic violence and protective orders
- Family law (for eligible clients): custody, child support, divorce, paternity
- Public benefits: SNAP, Medicaid, disability, unemployment appeals
- Elder-law matters: scams, exploitation, benefits, housing issues
- Immigration paperwork and civil matters (at limited capacity)
What Legal Aid Usually Does Not Handle
- Criminal defense (felonies, misdemeanors, DUI, traffic cases)
- Business or commercial disputes
- High-asset or severely contested family-law cases
- Most immigration court representation
When Pembroke Pines Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or lawsuit: Florida eviction timelines move quickly — contact LAS or CCLA right away.
- You experience domestic violence: Seek help immediately for protective orders or family-law assistance.
- You receive debt-collection or garnishment papers: Deadlines matter — save all documents and call legal aid.
- Your benefits were denied or stopped: Appeals have strict time limits.
- You have a scheduled court date: Contact a provider as early as possible.
How to Prepare Before Calling or Applying
- Gather documents: leases, eviction notices, debt letters, benefit denial notices, pay stubs, family-law papers, police reports, immigration documents, and any correspondence with landlords or agencies.
- Make a timeline: include dates of incidents, notices, deadlines, and communications.
- Prepare household and income information: most legal-aid programs screen based on financial eligibility.
- Write a 2–3 sentence summary: briefly describe what happened and what assistance you need.
- Identify urgent factors: risk of homelessness, violence, disability, children involved, or upcoming court hearings.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Broward County Self-Help Services: Low-cost court forms and procedural help for family law, small claims, and landlord/tenant matters.
- Sliding-scale attorneys: Many Broward-area law firms offer limited-scope representation for lower fees.
- Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service: Provides low-cost consultations. (lrs.floridabar.org)
- LegalClarity document-explainer tool: Residents can upload legal notices, leases, or court papers for a plain-language summary — informational only.
Conclusion: Where Pembroke Pines Residents Should Start
If you live in Pembroke Pines and need free or low-cost legal help, start by contacting Legal Aid Service of Broward County at (954) 765-8950. If they can’t take your case, try Coast to Coast Legal Aid at (954) 736-2400 or explore pro bono help via Broward Lawyers Care. When representation isn’t available, your LegalClarity tool lets residents upload documents for plain-language explanations — always informational only, not legal advice.