Meta: A 2026 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Reno, NV — including real providers, who they help, what cases they take, and how to prepare before requesting help. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Reno, NV: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Reno or Washoe County and cannot afford a private attorney, several nonprofit and statewide organizations provide free or low-cost civil legal help. These groups support people facing eviction, housing problems, domestic violence, consumer or debt issues, senior-law concerns, family-law matters, immigration-related civil needs, and public-benefits disputes. Even when full representation isn't available, many offer legal clinics, self-help tools, or limited-scope advice. (You can also upload your legal documents to the LegalClarity tool for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Reno & Washoe County
Nevada Legal Services (NLS)
What they do: NLS is the statewide civil legal-aid provider serving low-income Nevada residents. In Reno, they handle eviction defense, landlord–tenant disputes, consumer protection, debt collection, domestic violence issues, public-benefits denials, elder law, family law (custody, visitation, child support, divorce), and limited immigration-related civil matters.
Contact: Reno office: (775) 284-3491. Toll-free: 1-800-323-8666. Address: 204 Marsh Ave., Reno, NV 89509. Website: nevadalegalservices.org.
Washoe Legal Services (WLS)
What they do: WLS is a nonprofit serving low-income children, adults, families, and seniors in Washoe County. They help with family law, domestic violence protective orders, custody/visitation, eviction defense, elder-law and guardianship cases, consumer issues, and youth legal services.
Contact: Phone: (775) 329-2727. Website: washoelegalservices.org.
Volunteer Attorneys for Rural Nevadans (VARN)
What they do: Provides free civil legal help to eligible low-income residents in rural Nevada. Residents of certain areas near Reno may qualify depending on county and project availability. They offer pro bono help in family law, housing, protection orders, debt/consumer issues, and senior-law matters.
Contact: Phone: (775) 883-8278. Website: varn.org.
Self-Help Center — Second Judicial District Court
What they do: Offers free civil forms, instructions, and procedural guidance (not legal advice) for people representing themselves in divorce, custody, child support, adoption, protection orders, small claims, and landlord–tenant cases.
Location: 1 S. Sierra St., Reno, NV. Website: washoecourts.com/SelfHelp.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Reno
- Evictions and landlord–tenant disputes
- Unsafe or uninhabitable housing conditions
- Debt collection, creditor harassment, consumer-fraud issues
- Foreclosures and mortgage problems
- Domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and protective orders
- Family law: custody, child support, visitation, divorce, guardianship
- Public-benefits disputes (SNAP, Medicaid, disability benefits, unemployment)
- Elder-law matters: powers of attorney, exploitation, guardianship, wills
- Limited immigration-related civil legal aid (no removal defense)
What Legal Aid in Reno Usually Does Not Handle
- Criminal defense (felonies, misdemeanors, DUIs, traffic)
- Personal injury or malpractice lawsuits
- Business or commercial litigation
- Complex immigration detention or removal/deportation cases
When Reno Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- If you get an eviction notice: Nevada eviction timelines move quickly — contact NLS or WLS immediately.
- If your home is unsafe or repairs are ignored: Document everything and request legal help as soon as possible.
- If you experience domestic violence: WLS and NLS can assist with safety planning and protective orders.
- If you receive debt-collection or garnishment papers: Save all documents — deadlines are short.
- If your benefits are cut off or denied: Many benefit appeals require fast action.
- If you are elderly or disabled and facing exploitation or eviction: Elder-law specialists may assist immediately.
How to Prepare Before Calling or Applying
- Gather documents: leases, eviction notices, repair requests, photos of unsafe conditions, debt letters, benefit denials, pay stubs, ID, court papers, medical/disability records, and communication logs.
- Create a timeline: note key dates such as notices received, incidents, repair requests, payments, and upcoming hearings.
- Prepare household & income details: legal-aid offices need this for eligibility reviews.
- Write a brief summary: 2–3 sentences explaining what happened and the type of assistance you need.
- Highlight urgent factors: eviction risk, DV concerns, disability, seniors or children involved, or close court deadlines.
Alternatives if You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Self-Help Center (Second Judicial District Court): free court-approved forms and instructions.
- Pro bono services via WLS or NLS: volunteer attorneys may take limited-scope cases.
- Nevada Lawyer Referral Service (LRIS): low-cost consultations with private attorneys.
- LegalClarity document-explainer tool: upload legal paperwork for a plain-English explanation — informational only.
Conclusion: Where Reno Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Reno and cannot afford an attorney, start by contacting Nevada Legal Services at (775) 284-3491 or Washoe Legal Services at (775) 329-2727. If those organizations cannot take your case, the Self-Help Center at the courthouse and the LegalClarity upload tool can help you understand your documents — informational only, not legal advice.