Meta: A 2026 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Lincoln, Nebraska — including verified providers, eligibility rules, what cases they handle, and how to prepare before requesting help. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Lincoln, NE: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Lincoln or Lancaster County and cannot afford a private attorney, several real nonprofit organizations provide free or low-cost civil legal help. These groups assist with housing and eviction defense, landlord–tenant disputes, domestic violence, family law, debt issues, senior legal matters, and public-benefits appeals. Even when full representation is limited, many offer legal clinics, self-help resources, or brief advice. (Residents can also upload legal documents to the LegalClarity tool for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Lincoln & Lancaster County
Legal Aid of Nebraska (LAN)
What they do: LAN is the primary statewide civil-legal aid organization serving low-income Nebraskans. They help with eviction defense, unsafe housing, domestic violence, family law (custody, child support, guardianship), debt collection, bankruptcy advice, public-benefits disputes, elder law, and civil rights issues.
Contact: AccessLine intake: 1-877-250-2016. Lincoln office: (402) 435-2161. Online intake available at legalaidofnebraska.org.
University of Nebraska College of Law — Civil Clinical Law Program
What they do: Law students supervised by licensed attorneys provide free civil legal services to eligible clients. Areas may include family law, housing issues, immigration consultations, consumer problems, and limited civil matters. Availability varies by semester.
Website: law.unl.edu/clinics
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska — Immigration Legal Services
What they do: Provides low-cost immigration assistance including DACA, naturalization, family-based applications, humanitarian relief, and legal consultations. (Not full removal defense.)
Contact: (402) 346-6100. Website: onelfsn.org
Voices of Hope (Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Support)
What they do: Offers legal advocacy, help filing protection orders, court accompaniment, safety planning, shelter referrals, and crisis services for survivors.
Contact: 24/7 Crisis Line: (402) 475-7273. Website: voicesofhopelincoln.org
Lancaster County Self-Help Center
What they do: Provides court forms, instructions, and procedural guidance (not legal advice) for people representing themselves in civil cases such as family law, small claims, protection orders, and landlord–tenant matters.
Location: Lancaster County Courthouse, 575 S. 10th Street, Lincoln, NE.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Lincoln
- Evictions and landlord–tenant disputes
- Unsafe or uninhabitable housing conditions
- Debt collection, repossession, wage garnishment, and bankruptcy guidance
- Domestic violence and stalking — protection orders and court advocacy
- Family law: custody, child support, visitation, divorce (limited), guardianship
- Public benefits: SNAP, Medicaid, disability benefits, unemployment appeals
- Elder-law concerns: exploitation, abuse, guardianship, benefits
- Immigration consultations & limited forms assistance (low-cost)
What Legal Aid Usually Does Not Handle
- Criminal defense (felony, misdemeanor, DUI cases)
- Personal injury or malpractice lawsuits
- Business or commercial litigation
- Complex immigration removal defense
When Lincoln Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or court summons: Nebraska eviction timelines move quickly — contact Legal Aid of Nebraska right away.
- Your home is unsafe or your landlord refuses repairs: Document conditions and get housing-rights support.
- You experience domestic violence: Voices of Hope can help immediately with protection orders and safety planning.
- You receive debt-collection or garnishment papers: Deadlines matter — save all documents.
- Your benefits are denied or cut off: Appeals often have strict filing deadlines.
- You are elderly or disabled and face eviction or exploitation: Reach out to legal aid or senior services promptly.
How to Prepare Before Calling or Applying
- Gather documents: leases, eviction notices, repair communications, debt letters, benefit denials, pay stubs, ID, court papers, medical/disability documents, and photos of unsafe housing.
- Create a timeline: track notices, incidents, repair requests, communications, and deadlines.
- Prepare income & household information: required for eligibility screening.
- Write a brief summary: 2–3 sentences describing the issue and what help you need.
- Highlight urgent details: eviction risk, DV concerns, disability, seniors, children involved, or upcoming court dates.
Alternatives if You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Self-Help Center (Lancaster County Courthouse): free forms and instructions.
- UNL Law Clinics: limited availability for qualified clients.
- Nebraska State Bar Lawyer Referral Service: reduced-fee consultations with private attorneys.
- LegalClarity document-explainer tool: upload legal documents for a plain-English explanation — informational only.
Conclusion: Where Lincoln Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Lincoln and cannot afford an attorney, start by contacting Legal Aid of Nebraska at 1-877-250-2016 or visit their Lincoln office for intake details. For domestic-violence emergencies, reach out immediately to Voices of Hope. If traditional legal aid cannot take your case, the Self-Help Center, UNL law clinics, and the LegalClarity upload tool can help you understand your documents — informational only, not legal advice.