Meta: A 2025 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Bend, Oregon — including verified local providers, eligibility details, common case types, and how to prepare before requesting help. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Bend, OR: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Bend and cannot afford a private attorney, several statewide and regional organizations provide free or low-cost civil legal aid. These groups assist with eviction defense, housing issues, family law, domestic violence protective orders, debt, public-benefits appeals, and senior legal matters. (You may also upload legal documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Bend
Legal Aid Services of Oregon (LASO) — Central Oregon Regional Office
What they do: LASO’s Bend office provides free civil-legal services to low-income residents in Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook counties. Areas of focus include eviction defense, landlord–tenant disputes, housing discrimination, family law (custody, divorce, child support, domestic violence), consumer and debt issues, elder-law assistance, and public-benefits denials or terminations (Oregon Health Plan, SNAP, SSI/SSDI, unemployment).
Who they help: Low-income individuals and families, seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and domestic-violence survivors.
Contact: 850 NE 4th Street, Suite 1, Bend, OR 97701. Phone: (541) 385-6944. Website: lasoregon.org.
Oregon Law Center (OLC) — Central Oregon Office
What they do: OLC partners with LASO to offer civil-legal assistance to low-income Central Oregon residents. They handle eviction prevention, unsafe housing, employment and wage-theft issues, benefits disputes, discrimination, and family-law cases related to safety or custody.
Who they help: Low-income residents and families unable to afford private legal services, with priority for urgent civil needs.
Contact: 850 NE 4th Street, Suite 1, Bend, OR 97701 (shared with LASO). Phone: (541) 385-6944. Website: oregonlawcenter.org.
Saving Grace — Domestic Violence Legal Advocacy
What they do: Saving Grace provides crisis intervention and legal advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Central Oregon. Advocates assist with restraining orders, safety planning, and connections to legal-aid attorneys.
Who they help: Survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, regardless of income.
Contact: 1004 NW Milwaukee Avenue, Bend, OR 97703. 24-hour crisis line: (541) 389-7021. Website: saving-grace.org.
Volunteer Lawyers Program — Deschutes County Bar Association
What they do: The Deschutes County Bar’s Volunteer Lawyers Program connects qualifying low-income residents with attorneys who donate their time for limited legal representation or advice in civil cases such as landlord–tenant, debt, and family law.
Who they help: Low-income residents who cannot afford a lawyer and do not qualify for LASO full representation.
Contact: Email vlp@deschutesbar.org or visit deschutesbar.org for more details.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Bend
- Eviction defense and landlord–tenant disputes
- Unsafe housing, repair issues, or discrimination
- Domestic violence and restraining orders
- Custody, child support, and family-law disputes
- Debt collection, wage garnishment, and consumer fraud
- Public-benefits denials (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI, unemployment)
- Elder-law and disability-rights cases
- Employment law — unpaid wages or workplace discrimination
What Bend Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense or traffic offenses
- Personal-injury or malpractice lawsuits
- Business or commercial disputes
- High-asset divorce or complex financial cases
When Bend Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or court summons: Contact LASO or OLC immediately — eviction cases move fast.
- You are in danger or experiencing domestic violence: Call Saving Grace’s 24-hour hotline at (541) 389-7021 for immediate help and legal-advocacy support.
- Your benefits were denied or terminated: File an appeal quickly — legal aid can help you meet deadlines.
- You receive debt-collection paperwork or garnishment notice: Don’t ignore deadlines — seek help right away.
- You are a senior or person with a disability facing eviction or exploitation: Specialized programs through LASO may be available.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Gather documents: Leases, eviction notices, benefit letters, court papers, pay stubs, medical or disability documentation, and ID.
- Write a short summary: Explain your issue in 2–3 sentences — what happened, when it started, and what help you need.
- List important dates: Court hearings, benefit deadlines, or payment due dates.
- Bring proof of income: Pay stubs or benefit statements help determine eligibility.
- Highlight urgent risks: Eviction, loss of housing, domestic violence, or benefit termination.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Low-cost attorneys: Use the Oregon State Bar’s Modest Means Program or Lawyer Referral Service for reduced-fee legal help. (osbar.org)
- Volunteer Lawyers Program: Apply for pro bono help through the Deschutes County Bar Association. (deschutesbar.org)
- Self-help resources: Access free forms and guides on Oregon Law Help. (oregonlawhelp.org)
- LegalClarity tools: Upload documents for plain-English explanations — informational only.
Conclusion: Where Bend Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Bend and cannot afford an attorney, begin by contacting Legal Aid Services of Oregon at (541) 385-6944. If LASO is unavailable, the Oregon Law Center or Volunteer Lawyers Program may assist. Survivors of domestic violence should reach out to Saving Grace for immediate legal advocacy. If you need low-cost or self-help options, use Oregon Law Help or LegalClarity to better understand your documents (informational only, not legal advice).