Meta: A 2026 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Durham, NC — including verified organizations, who they help, what cases they handle, and how to prepare before applying. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Durham, NC: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Durham and cannot afford a private attorney, several local and statewide organizations provide free or low-cost civil legal help. These providers assist with eviction defense, landlord–tenant disputes, domestic violence, family law issues, debt and consumer problems, elder law, disability benefits, immigration-related civil matters, and public-benefits appeals. Many also run clinics and workshops for residents who need help navigating the legal system. (You may also upload documents to the LegalClarity tool for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Durham
Legal Aid of North Carolina (LANC) — Durham Office
What they do: LANC provides free civil legal services to low-income residents. Areas of assistance include eviction defense, unsafe housing, domestic violence, family law (custody, visitation, child support), consumer issues, debt collection, disability benefits, unemployment appeals, public-benefits disputes, and immigration-related civil matters.
Contact: Phone: (866) 219-5262. Website: legalaidnc.org.
Durham Crisis Response Center (DCRC)
What they do: Provides trauma-informed support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Services include legal advocacy, protective-order assistance, court accompaniment, crisis counseling, and safe shelter.
Contact: 24/7 hotline: (919) 403-6562. Website: durhamcrisisresponse.org.
Duke Law Clinics
What they do: Offers free or low-cost support through student-run clinics supervised by licensed attorneys. Practice areas vary but may include civil justice, housing issues, family law, wrongful convictions (not civil), consumer matters, and expunctions.
Contact: Phone: (919) 613-7006. Website: law.duke.edu/clinics.
El Centro Hispano (Legal & Immigration Support)
What they do: Provides legal clinics, immigration assistance, community education, and referrals for Spanish-speaking and immigrant residents. Services include DACA assistance, naturalization help, and consumer-rights education.
Contact: Phone: (919) 687-4635. Website: elcentronc.org.
NC Courts — Self-Help Center
What they do: Offers free forms, step-by-step instructions, and procedural guides for landlord–tenant cases, family law matters, protective orders, small claims, and more. No legal advice.
Website: nccourts.gov/help
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Durham
- Eviction defense & landlord–tenant disputes
- Unsafe or uninhabitable housing conditions
- Protective orders & domestic violence advocacy
- Family law: custody, visitation, child support
- Debt collection, wage garnishment, and consumer fraud
- Public-benefits denials (Food & Nutrition, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI)
- Unemployment insurance appeals
- Civil immigration matters (non-deportation)
- Elder-law issues & exploitation
- Record expunction assistance (varies by provider)
What Durham Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense matters
- Personal injury or malpractice lawsuits
- Business or commercial litigation
- Immigration deportation/removal defense
- High-asset or complex family-law litigation
When Durham Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or court summons: Eviction timelines in Durham move quickly — contact LANC immediately.
- You experience domestic or sexual violence: Call the DCRC hotline right away for emergency legal advocacy.
- You receive garnishment or debt-collection paperwork: Keep all documents — deadlines are strict.
- Your benefits are denied or reduced: You may need to appeal quickly.
- Your home is unsafe or the landlord refuses repairs: Document issues with photos and written notices.
- Senior residents face eviction or exploitation: Special legal-aid services may be available.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Gather important documents: leases, eviction notices, repair logs, photos, debt letters, benefit denials, ID, pay stubs, court papers, and medical/disability records.
- Build a timeline: note key dates for notices, payments, incidents, and deadlines.
- Prepare income and household details: eligibility depends on financial information.
- Write a brief summary: 2–3 sentences explaining your situation.
- Highlight urgent issues: homelessness risk, domestic violence, disability, children involved, upcoming hearings.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Durham Bar Association Lawyer Referral: low-cost consultations with private attorneys.
- NC Courts Self-Help Center: free civil forms and guidance.
- Duke Law Clinics: occasional pro bono community clinics.
- LegalClarity upload tool: get a plain-English explanation of your documents (informational only).
Conclusion: Where Durham Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Durham and cannot afford a lawyer, begin by contacting Legal Aid of North Carolina at (866) 219-5262. For domestic violence emergencies, call the Durham Crisis Response Center hotline immediately. If you do not qualify for free legal-aid services, use the Durham Bar referral service or upload your documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.