Legal Aid in Louisville: Where to Get Free or Low-Cost Legal Help

If you live in Louisville or Jefferson County and can’t afford a private lawyer, you have real options. Nonprofit and volunteer-lawyer organizations, plus clinics and self-help centers, provide free or low-cost legal services for many civil-law problems. This guide shows where to turn, what issues they handle, and how to prepare when you reach out.

Major Legal Aid Organizations Serving Louisville / Jefferson County

(Louisville Office)

• Who they help: Low-income individuals, seniors, veterans, people with limited resources in Jefferson County and surrounding areas. ([yourlegalaid.org](https://www.yourlegalaid.org) )
• What cases they take: Civil-law matters including housing (eviction defense, landlord/tenant issues, unsafe housing), public benefits (Medicaid, SNAP, unemployment, etc.), consumer/debt issues, family law (divorce, custody, protection orders, guardianship), domestic-violence advocacy, veteran-related legal help, tax-law issues (via a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic), expungement/record sealing, license or driver-record help, and more.
• How to contact: Main Louisville office address: 416 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Suite 300, Louisville, KY 40202. Phone (intake): (502) 584-1254 (or toll-free 800-292-1862).

Free or Low-Cost Clinics & Self-Help Resources in Louisville

• (University of Louisville) — The law-school clinic takes on a limited number of civil cases, including housing, emergency protective orders, and family-law matters (divorce, custody). It often works in coordination with the Legal Aid Society.
• Legal Help Center at local libraries / community centers — Volunteers and sometimes attorneys provide limited legal-information sessions or self-help guidance (forms, procedural help) for civil issues.
• Other nonprofit or specialized-aid organizations — For example, immigration-legal aid via community groups, elder-law or benefits-access help, or services for survivors of domestic violence.

What Legal Aid in Louisville Usually Doesn’t Handle

• Most criminal defense cases: The Legal Aid Society and related civil-aid providers focus on civil legal matters — housing, family law, benefits, debt, consumer issues — not criminal defense.
• Large-scale commercial or complex business litigation: Services are designed for individuals, families, tenants, seniors — not businesses or high-stakes corporate disputes.
• No guarantee of representation in every case: Because demand is high and resources are limited, eligible clients may receive advice, limited-scope assistance, or referrals rather than full representation — especially for non-urgent or complex matters.

Emergency & Urgent Legal Help in Louisville / Jefferson County

If you face urgent civil-legal problems — eviction or risk of losing your home, sudden loss of benefits, unsafe housing, domestic-violence or need for a protective order, veteran-related crises, or debt/consumer emergencies — it’s important to act quickly. Some programs prioritize urgent cases.

• Call Legal Aid Society as soon as possible — (502) 584-1254 — For urgent housing issues, protective-order hearings, benefit denials, veteran aid, consumer/debt crises, or other emergency civil matters.
• For housing-related emergencies: ask about eviction defense or homelessness prevention programs — Legal Aid helps with eviction defense, code-violation or unsafe-housing complaints, or relocation support when possible.
• Use law-school clinic or self-help centers for assistance with urgent paperwork or court filings — Especially if you need short-term help while you wait for full legal aid acceptance.

How to Prepare Before You Call or Reach Out for Help in Louisville

• Gather proof of income or public-benefit status — pay stubs, benefit award or denial letters (SNAP, Medicaid, disability, etc.), unemployment records, or other documentation showing limited resources. Legal aid providers use this to screen for eligibility.
• Collect documents related to your legal issue — e.g., lease or rental agreement, eviction or landlord notices, notices of benefit denial, debt or collection letters, medical bills/insurance paperwork, court orders, letters from agencies, and any other relevant paperwork.
• Know your household information — number of people in your household, their ages, dependents, veteran or disability status (if any), address and contact info — helps with eligibility screening and intake prioritization.
• If there’s a deadline — court date, eviction hearing, benefit-cut-off, utility shut-off — write it down and mention it when you call — urgency often affects whether your case gets prioritized.
• Prepare a clear, simple summary of your situation — including when the problem started, who’s involved, what changed, and what outcome you need (housing stability, benefits, protection, debt relief, etc.). Clear information helps intake staff assess quickly whether they can help.

Alternatives if You Don’t Qualify for Full Legal Aid

• Law-school clinic (University of Louisville) or self-help centers — Even if the main legal-aid office is full or your case is outside its scope, clinics or volunteer centers may offer limited help, document preparation assistance, or advice.
• Referrals via Lawyer Referral Service — Use the bar referral service to find modest-fee or private attorneys if you don’t qualify for legal aid or need specialized help.
• Community-based nonprofit or advocacy groups — For issues such as immigration, discrimination, housing, elder-law, or domestic violence, other local nonprofit or advocacy organizations may offer guidance or referrals.

Key Takeaways

• Louisville is served by a strong civil-legal aid network — headed by the Legal Aid Society — that helps low-income, senior, veteran, and otherwise vulnerable residents with housing, benefits, family law, debt, veteran aid, and many common legal needs.
• If you face urgent civil-law problems — eviction, housing insecurity, domestic violence, benefit loss, debt or consumer crises, veteran-related issues — call early. There is a real chance of free or low-cost help or at least legal advice and support.
• Even if full representation isn’t available — there are still helpful options: law-school clinics, self-help centers, volunteer-attorney programs, bar-referral services — these can provide guidance, help with paperwork, or partial representation.
• Before contacting legal aid: gather income documentation, relevant paperwork, household info, any deadlines, and a clear summary of the facts. Being organized helps legal-aid staff respond faster and gives you the best shot at help.