Meta: A 2026 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Shreveport, LA — including verified providers, who they help, what cases they handle, and how to prepare before calling.
Legal Aid in Shreveport, LA: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Shreveport and cannot afford a private attorney, several legal-aid organizations serving Caddo and Bossier Parishes offer free or low-cost civil legal help. These groups handle eviction defense, unsafe housing, domestic violence, debt and consumer issues, family law, public benefits, and elder law matters. Even if an organization cannot fully represent you, many offer self-help tools, legal clinics, or brief advice. (Residents may also upload legal documents to the LegalClarity tool for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Shreveport
Legal Services of North Louisiana (LSNL) — Shreveport Office
What they do: LSNL is the primary civil legal-aid provider for low-income residents in Northwest Louisiana. They handle eviction defense, landlord/tenant disputes, domestic violence protection orders, custody and divorce (eligibility varies), debt collection, consumer fraud, bankruptcy counseling, elder law, and public-benefits issues (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI).
How to contact: Phone: (318) 222-7186. Website: lsnl.org.
NWLA Family Justice Center — Domestic Violence & Protective Orders
What they do: Provides crisis support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Helps with safety planning, filing protective orders, and court accompaniment (not full representation).
How to contact: 24/7 Hotline: (318) 676-7990. Website: nwlafamilyjusticecenter.org.
Louisiana Civil Justice Center (LCJC) — Statewide Hotline
What they do: Offers free civil legal information, referrals, and limited advice via hotline. Can help with housing, debt, benefits, disaster-related issues, and family law questions.
Contact: Hotline: 1-800-310-7029. Website: laciviljustice.org.
Louisiana Law Help — Online Self-Help Library
What they do: Provides free forms, plain-language guides, and how-to steps for evictions, divorce, custody, child support, small claims, and protective orders.
Website: louisianalawhelp.org.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Shreveport
- Evictions and landlord/tenant disputes
- Unsafe housing, repairs, and habitability issues
- Debt collection, repossessions, creditor harassment, garnishment
- Foreclosure and mortgage problems
- Domestic violence, stalking, and protective orders
- Family law: custody, child support, parenting time, divorce
- Public-benefits issues: SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI, unemployment
- Elder law, abuse/neglect, guardianship, and benefits access
- Disaster-related civil issues (common after major storms)
What Legal Aid Usually Does Not Handle
- Criminal defense (felonies, misdemeanors, DUI, traffic cases)
- Business or commercial disputes
- Personal injury lawsuits
- Immigration court (detention, removal) representation
When Shreveport Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or court date: Louisiana eviction timelines move quickly — act immediately.
- You are experiencing domestic violence: Contact the NWLA Family Justice Center for safety planning and protective-order help.
- You receive garnishment or debt-collection papers: Keep every document — deadlines are strict.
- Your benefits are denied or stopped: Appeals must be filed before the deadline listed on the notice.
- You have an upcoming hearing: The earlier you contact legal aid, the better.
How to Prepare Before Calling or Applying
- Gather documents: leases, eviction notices, debt letters, court papers, benefit denials, ID, pay stubs, police reports, photos of unsafe housing, and communication with landlords or creditors.
- Prepare a timeline: list key dates for notices, incidents, payments, or communication.
- Collect income & household information: required for legal-aid eligibility.
- Write a brief summary: 2–3 sentences describing your issue and the kind of help you need.
- Highlight urgent issues: domestic violence, homelessness risk, disabilities, elderly or children affected, upcoming court dates.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- LCJC Legal Hotline: free civil legal guidance for residents statewide.
- KBA Lawyer Referral (regional): low-cost private-attorney consultations.
- Louisiana Law Help: free downloadable forms and guides for self-representation.
- LegalClarity document-explainer tool: upload legal documents for a plain-English explanation — informational only.
Conclusion: Where Shreveport Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Shreveport and cannot afford a lawyer, begin with Legal Services of North Louisiana at (318) 222-7186. For domestic violence emergencies, contact the NWLA Family Justice Center immediately. When full representation is unavailable, statewide hotlines, self-help tools, and your LegalClarity upload feature can help you understand your documents and next steps — informational only, not legal advice.