Meta: A 2026 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Fargo, North Dakota — including verified organizations, what cases they handle, who qualifies, and how to prepare before requesting help. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Fargo, ND: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Fargo and cannot afford a private attorney, several statewide and regional organizations provide free or low-cost civil legal help. These groups assist with housing and eviction defense, family law issues, domestic violence, debt and consumer problems, agricultural and rural legal needs, elder law, disability rights, and public-benefits appeals. Fargo relies heavily on statewide providers because North Dakota’s population is spread across rural areas. (You may also upload your legal documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Fargo
Legal Services of North Dakota (LSND)
What they do: LSND is the primary free civil-legal aid provider for low-income and vulnerable residents throughout North Dakota, including Fargo and Cass County. Services include eviction defense, landlord–tenant disputes, domestic violence protective orders, family law (custody, visitation, child support), consumer and debt issues, elder law, public-benefits disputes, unemployment appeals, disability rights, and agricultural/rural legal matters.
Who they help: Low-income individuals, seniors (60+), tribal members, veterans, and vulnerable populations.
Contact: Phone: (701) 232-3301 (Fargo office). Website: legalassist.org.
State Bar Association of North Dakota — Lawyer Referral Service
What they do: Connects residents with private attorneys for low-cost or fixed-fee consultations. Useful when LSND cannot take a case.
Contact: Phone: (701) 255-1404. Website: sband.org.
High Plains Fair Housing Center
What they do: Provides assistance for fair-housing discrimination issues, landlord harassment, unsafe housing, improper denials, and accessibility-related violations. Serves Fargo and surrounding areas.
Contact: Phone: (701) 203-1077. Website: highplainsfhc.org.
ND Legal Self-Help Center (State Courts)
What they do: Offers free legal forms, guides, and instructions for people representing themselves in housing cases, family law, small claims, protective orders, and more. No legal advice.
Website: ndcourts.gov/legal-self-help.
Rape and Abuse Crisis Center of Fargo–Moorhead
What they do: Provides trauma-informed support for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Services include protective-order filing assistance, court accompaniment, emergency shelter referrals, and safety planning.
Contact: Crisis line: (701) 293-7273. Website: raccfm.com.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Fargo
- Eviction defense and landlord–tenant disputes
- Unsafe or uninhabitable housing conditions
- Domestic violence protective orders
- Family law: custody, visitation, child support
- Debt collection, garnishment, consumer fraud
- Elder-law issues including exploitation
- Public-benefits disputes (SNAP, Medicaid, disability benefits)
- Unemployment insurance appeals
- Civil rights and discrimination cases (housing, accessibility)
- Agricultural legal issues affecting rural residents
What Fargo Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense cases
- Personal injury or malpractice lawsuits
- Business or commercial litigation
- Immigration deportation/removal defense
- High-conflict or high-asset divorce cases
When Fargo Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice (3-day or complaint): Fargo eviction timelines are short — contact LSND immediately.
- You experience domestic or sexual violence: Call the Rape & Abuse Crisis Center hotline.
- You receive garnishment or debt-collection paperwork: Deadlines are strict — keep all documents.
- Your benefits are denied or terminated: Appeals often need to be filed quickly.
- Your home is unsafe or your landlord refuses repairs: Document issues with photos and written requests.
- Seniors at risk of eviction or exploitation: LSND offers targeted elder-law services.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Gather documents: leases, eviction notices, repair logs, photos, debt letters, benefit denials, ID, pay stubs, court papers, medical/disability records.
- Create a timeline: list dates of notices, incidents, payments, repairs, and communication.
- Prepare financial information: income, benefits, expenses, and household size for eligibility screening.
- Write a short summary: 2–3 sentences describing your issue.
- Note urgent factors: homelessness risk, domestic violence, disability, children involved, or hearing deadlines.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- ND State Bar Lawyer Referral: low-cost consultations.
- ND Legal Self-Help Center: free court-approved forms and instructions.
- High Plains Fair Housing Center: discrimination or unsafe housing support.
- LegalClarity document upload tool: get a plain-English explanation (informational only).
Conclusion: Where Fargo Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Fargo and cannot afford a lawyer, begin by contacting Legal Services of North Dakota at (701) 232-3301. For domestic or sexual violence emergencies, call the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center. If you do not qualify for free services, use the State Bar referral service or upload your documents to LegalClarity for a plain-language explanation — informational only, not legal advice.