If you live in Quincy or nearby communities and can’t afford a private lawyer, there are nonprofit and volunteer-based legal aid services that may be able to help you with civil legal issues. This guide shows where to go, what kinds of cases they handle, and how to prepare when you reach out.
Legal Aid & Support Organizations for Quincy Residents
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS — serving Quincy area)
- Who they help: Low-income individuals and families across Boston and surrounding cities/towns, including Quincy and nearby communities.
- What cases they take: Civil (non-criminal) matters: housing (eviction defense, tenant/landlord disputes), public benefits, family law, debt/consumer issues, immigration-related services (when eligible), and other basic-needs legal help.
- How to contact: GBLS main office — phone: 617-371-1234 or toll-free 800-323-3205.
Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP — Boston Bar Association)
- Who they help: Low-income residents of Greater Boston (which includes Quincy) needing civil-law help.
- What cases they handle: Civil issues: family law, housing/tenant disputes, debt/consumer problems, immigration-related matters, and other civil matters when resources allow.
- How to contact: Call their helpline at 617-603-1700 (or 1-800-342-LAWS) to apply.
DOVE, Inc. (Quincy-Area Domestic Violence & Family Support Organization)
- Who they help: Survivors of domestic violence, families in crisis, and individuals in danger — in Quincy and surrounding areas.
- What services they provide: Legal advocacy, support with protective orders, referrals to pro bono or legal-aid services, crisis intervention, and shelter or safety-planning support.
- How to contact: Hotline: 617-471-1234; for legal / advocacy services call 617-770-4065 ext. 400.
Common Legal Issues Quincy Legal Aid Resources Often Help With
- Eviction defense and landlord/tenant disputes (including unsafe or subsidized housing) — eviction or rent-related problems.
- Public benefits access and appeal (e.g. benefits denials, Medicaid/health coverage, unemployment or disability benefits).
- Debt and consumer-law issues — debt collection, unfair billing, wage/credit issues.
- Family-law matters — custody, child support, divorce, protective orders, domestic-violence support (especially via DOVE, Inc.).
- Immigration-related civil legal help — for eligible residents, including visa/immigration issues, asylum, or status adjustments (through GBLS or other referral-capable programs).
- General civil-law support: debt, benefits, housing, family matters, domestic-violence, and consumer problems.
What Legal Aid Usually Doesn’t Handle for Quincy Residents
- Serious criminal defense (felonies or major criminal cases) — The providers listed focus on civil legal issues (housing, family law, immigration, debt, etc.).
- Large commercial or corporate litigation — Aid services are meant for individuals, low-income families, tenants, or vulnerable residents — not businesses or complex corporate disputes.
- No guarantee of representation or quick help — Legal-aid resources are limited; sometimes clients may get only advice, referrals, or limited-scope help, rather than full representation.
How to Prepare Before You Call or Seek Legal Aid
- Have proof of income or financial hardship ready: pay stubs, benefit letters, disability/unemployment documentation — many programs screen on income or financial need.
- Collect any relevant documents: lease/rental agreement and eviction or landlord notices (for housing issues); bills or collection letters (for debt/consumer issues); agency letters (for benefits); court or agency paperwork (for family law or immigration); any ID or immigration documents if relevant; documentation of domestic violence if applying for protection orders.
- Note any upcoming deadlines or court dates: eviction hearings, benefit-termination dates, rent due dates, court hearings — acting quickly often matters.
- Prepare a clear summary of what happened: include dates, people involved, what changed, and what outcome you hope for (safe housing, benefit restoration, debt relief, protection, status, etc.). A clear explanation helps intake staff quickly assess.
Alternatives If Full Legal Aid Is Not Available
- Volunteer-attorney programs (like VLP) — Even if full aid is not available, volunteer-lawyer services may provide advice or limited-scope representation for civil-law matters.
- Nonprofit support & advocacy groups (like DOVE, Inc.) — Especially useful in cases involving domestic violence, housing instability, or other urgent social needs.
- Referral services & statewide legal-aid directories — Use statewide tools like MassLegalHelp or the Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder to locate other legal-aid or modest-fee attorneys.
- Self-help resources and community clinics — For people representing themselves (pro se), there are resources to help with forms, court procedures, and legal-rights education via statewide legal-aid websites.
Key Takeaways
- Quincy residents who cannot afford a private lawyer still have real options for free or low-cost civil legal aid — through GBLS, VLP, DOVE, Inc., and statewide referral or self-help services.
- If you face serious or urgent legal issues — eviction, unsafe housing, benefits problems, domestic violence, debt collection, immigration challenges — reach out as soon as possible. Early contact and good documentation increase the chance of meaningful help.
- Even if full representation isn’t guaranteed, limited-scope representation, advice, referrals, or assistance filling out court forms can make a big difference.
- Before calling — gather income proof, relevant documents, any deadlines or court dates, personal and household info, and a clear summary of what happened. Being prepared helps legal-aid staff respond quickly and effectively.