If you live in Omaha and don’t have the money for a private lawyer, you’re not alone. Many people in Douglas County and the surrounding area rely on free or low-cost legal aid from nonprofit legal-services organizations, law-school clinics, and hotlines. This guide shows where to turn — quickly — for civil legal help, what issues are covered, and how to prepare when you call.
Major Legal Aid Organizations in Omaha
Legal Aid of Nebraska (Omaha office)
Legal Aid of Nebraska is the main statewide civil-legal aid provider — serving all 93 counties, including Douglas County (which includes Omaha).
- Who they help: Low-income Nebraskans — including individuals and families in Omaha & Douglas County.
- What cases they take: Civil legal issues such as evictions, tenant-landlord problems, utility shut-offs, debt & collection problems, bankruptcies, wage or bank-account garnishment, denial of public benefits (e.g. unemployment, disability, Medicaid/SNAP), protection order hearings, and other needs.
- How to contact: Omaha office: 1904 Farnam St., Suite 5th Floor, Omaha, NE 68102. Phone: 402-348-1069. Statewide AccessLine: 1-877-250-2016.
- Eligibility: Based on income/asset guidelines and the type of legal issue; aid is free for qualified applicants.
Free or Low-Cost Clinics & Hotlines in/near Omaha
- Creighton University School of Law – Milton R. Abrahams Legal Clinic: A law-school clinic offering free civil-legal help (for eligible low-income residents of Douglas County) — including landlord/tenant issues, family law (divorce, custody, child support), wills & probate, guardianship. Contact phone: 402-280-3068.
- NE Free Legal Answers (online / virtual legal-advice clinic): For qualifying low-income Nebraska residents — you can post civil-law questions (housing, benefits, consumer, family, etc.) and get answers from volunteer attorneys.
What Legal Aid in Omaha Usually Doesn’t Handle
- Criminal defense — these legal-aid and clinic services focus on civil matters (housing, debt, benefits, family, etc.), not criminal charges.
- Large-scale business litigation, corporate disputes, or high-value commercial cases — the focus is on individuals, families, and low-income people.
- Even when eligible, demand is high — you might get limited help (advice, referrals, self-help resources) rather than full representation if resources are stretched.
Emergency & Urgent Legal Help in Omaha
If you face urgent problems — eviction, risk of homelessness, utility shut-off, denial of benefits, or other immediate threats — these services are likely to prioritize emergency-type civil cases:
- Contact Legal Aid of Nebraska immediately via their Omaha office or statewide AccessLine. They handle housing and benefit crises including evictions, shut-offs, garnishment, benefit-denials, or protection orders.
- Use NE Free Legal Answers for quick guidance — if you need advice while waiting for full representation or if your schedule is tight.
- Consider the Creighton Abrahams Legal Clinic — for civil matters such as eviction or family law where eligibility and availability match.
How to Prepare Before You Call for Help in Omaha
Having certain information ready can help the intake process go faster and increase your chance of getting help. Try to gather:
- Proof of income, benefits, or financial situation (pay stubs, benefit letters, bank statements)
- Documents related to the legal issue — eviction notice, lease or rental agreement, housing code/utility-shutoff letters, benefit-denial or garnishment notices, debt-collection letters
- Your address, contact info, and household composition (who lives with you, number of dependents, etc.)
- Any deadlines or court dates (eviction hearing, benefit-termination date, garnishment, etc.)
- A clear, simple explanation of what’s happening and why you need help — this helps intake staff quickly assess urgency
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Full Free Legal Aid
- Volunteer-lawyer help via clinics or projects like NE Free Legal Answers — even if full representation isn’t available, you may get advice or limited-scope help.
- Self-help resources and online legal-forms via the statewide legal-aid website — useful if you must represent yourself or just need to complete paperwork.
Key Takeaways
- Omaha has solid civil-legal aid resources available — through Legal Aid of Nebraska, law-school clinics, and online/volunteer-lawyer programs.
- If you face serious civil issues — eviction, housing or tenant problems, debt, public-benefits denial, or utility shut-offs — there’s a real chance to get help for free or at low cost.
- Even if you don’t qualify for full representation — self-help centers, online advice, and limited-scope services can help you take first steps or defend your rights.
- When you call, have income info, documents, deadlines and a clear description of your issue ready — that improves your odds of getting help quickly.