Meta: A 2026 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Dayton, Ohio — including verified providers, eligibility details, common case types, and how residents can prepare before applying. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Dayton, OH: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Dayton and cannot afford a private attorney, several nonprofit and statewide organizations offer free or low-cost civil legal services. These groups assist with eviction defense, landlord–tenant disputes, domestic violence protective orders, family law, consumer debt issues, senior legal needs, disability benefits, and immigration-related civil matters. (You may upload legal documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Dayton
Legal Aid of Western Ohio (LAWO)
What they do: LAWO is the primary civil legal-aid provider serving the Dayton region. They help with eviction defense, unsafe housing, domestic violence cases, custody and child support, consumer debt, education access issues, elder law, disability benefits, and public-benefits appeals (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI).
Who they help: Low-income individuals, seniors, domestic violence survivors, veterans, immigrants, and vulnerable families.
Contact: Phone: (888) 534-1432. Website: lawolaw.org.
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE)
What they do: ABLE works alongside LAWO to provide legal representation in eviction cases, unsafe housing, domestic violence, immigration-related civil matters, disability rights, and consumer protection. Also handles systemic and impact litigation.
Contact: Phone: (937) 228-8104. Website: ablelaw.org.
Miami Valley Fair Housing Center
What they do: Offers assistance with housing discrimination, retaliation, accessibility problems, and predatory lending. Helps tenants file fair-housing complaints and understand their rights.
Contact: Phone: (937) 223-6035. Website: mvfairhousing.com.
Artemis Center — Domestic Violence Support
What they do: Provides crisis intervention, survivor advocacy, legal advocacy for protective orders, safety planning, and shelter referrals.
24/7 Domestic Violence Hotline: (937) 461-4357. Website: artemiscenter.org
Ohio Legal Help (Statewide)
What they do: Offers free legal information, forms, and step-by-step guides for evictions, family law, debt issues, and protective orders.
Website: ohiolegalhelp.org
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Dayton
- Eviction defense and rent disputes
- Unsafe or uninhabitable housing conditions
- Domestic violence and stalking protection orders
- Custody, visitation, and child support
- Consumer fraud, debt collection, and garnishment
- Public-benefits denials (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI)
- Disability rights and accommodations
- Civil immigration assistance (not removal defense)
- Elder law and prevention of exploitation
- Education law and children's rights
What Dayton Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense or traffic cases
- Personal injury or malpractice lawsuits
- Business or commercial litigation
- Immigration deportation/removal defense
- High-conflict or high-asset divorce actions
When Dayton Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice: Eviction cases move quickly — contact LAWO or ABLE right away.
- You experience domestic or sexual violence: Call Artemis Center’s 24/7 hotline.
- You receive debt-collection or garnishment paperwork: Keep all documents — deadlines are strict.
- Your benefits were denied or cut off: Appeals often require quick action.
- Your landlord refuses urgent repairs: Document the problem with photos and written requests.
- You are a senior facing eviction or financial exploitation: Senior-specific legal help may be available.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Gather documents: leases, eviction notices, repair logs, debt letters, benefit denials, ID, pay stubs, medical or disability documents, and court filings.
- Create a timeline: list key dates such as notices received, communication attempts, incidents, or payment history.
- Prepare financial information: income, expenses, benefits, dependents, and household size.
- Write a short summary: describe your issue in 2–3 sentences.
- Highlight urgent factors: homelessness risk, danger, disability, or upcoming hearings.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Dayton Bar Association Lawyer Referral: low-cost legal consultations.
- Ohio Legal Help: free self-help tools and guided forms.
- Law-school and nonprofit clinics: periodic free legal clinics in the Miami Valley.
- LegalClarity document upload: get a plain-English explanation (informational only).
Conclusion: Where Dayton Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Dayton and cannot afford an attorney, start by contacting LAWO at (888) 534-1432 or ABLE at (937) 228-8104. For immediate safety concerns or domestic violence issues, call Artemis Center’s 24/7 hotline at (937) 461-4357. If you do not qualify for free services, consider the Dayton Bar referral program or upload your documents to LegalClarity for a plain-language explanation — informational only, not legal advice.