Meta: A 2025 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Charleston, South Carolina — including verified local providers, eligibility details, common case types, and preparation tips. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Charleston, SC: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Charleston and can’t afford a private attorney, several local and statewide organizations offer free or low-cost civil legal help. These providers handle eviction defense, domestic violence protective orders, family law, debt issues, elder law, and public-benefits appeals. (You can also upload legal documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Charleston
South Carolina Legal Services (SCLS) — Charleston Office
What they do: SCLS is the statewide civil legal-aid provider serving low-income South Carolinians. The Charleston office handles eviction and landlord–tenant disputes, family law, custody, child support, consumer and debt issues, unemployment appeals, and benefits denials (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI). They also help with elder-law and domestic-violence protective orders.
Who they help: Residents with household income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level, as well as seniors and victims of abuse.
Contact: 6301 Rivers Avenue, Suite 100, North Charleston, SC 29406. Phone: (843) 720-7044. Toll-free: 1-888-720-2320. Website: sclegal.org.
Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services
What they do: Connects eligible low-income residents of Charleston County with volunteer attorneys who provide free legal assistance in civil matters such as housing, family law, wills, and consumer disputes. They also operate legal clinics and workshops throughout the community.
Who they help: Low-income residents of Charleston County who meet financial eligibility requirements.
Contact: 111 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401. Phone: (843) 853-6456. Website: charlestonprobono.org.
One80 Place Legal Services
What they do: Provides free civil legal help to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Focus areas include housing, eviction prevention, veterans’ benefits, and income stability.
Who they help: Individuals and families experiencing homelessness or in danger of eviction in Charleston County.
Contact: 35 Walnut Street, Charleston, SC 29403. Phone: (843) 737-8357. Website: one80place.org.
My Sister’s House — Legal Advocacy for Survivors
What they do: Provides legal advocacy and referrals for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Services include assistance with restraining orders, safety planning, and connection to legal-aid attorneys.
Who they help: Survivors of domestic violence and abuse in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties.
Contact: 1431 Remount Road, North Charleston, SC 29406. 24-hour hotline: (843) 744-3242. Website: mysistershouse.org.
Trident Literacy Association — Legal Literacy Workshops
What they do: Offers free educational programs, including legal-literacy and tenant-rights workshops in partnership with SCLS and Charleston Pro Bono. These sessions help residents understand leases, eviction notices, and court paperwork.
Who they help: Low- and moderate-income adults seeking legal-education resources.
Contact: 5416 Rivers Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406. Phone: (843) 747-2223. Website: tridentlit.org.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Charleston
- Eviction defense and unsafe housing conditions
- Domestic violence and protection orders
- Custody, visitation, and child support
- Debt collection and consumer protection
- Public-benefits disputes (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, unemployment)
- Elder-law and wills preparation
- Veterans’ benefits and homelessness prevention
What Charleston Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense or traffic offenses
- Personal-injury or malpractice cases
- Business or corporate litigation
- High-asset divorce or complex property disputes
When Charleston Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or court summons: Contact SCLS or One80 Place Legal Services immediately.
- You experience domestic violence or abuse: Call My Sister’s House’s 24-hour hotline at (843) 744-3242.
- Your benefits are denied or reduced: File an appeal quickly — SCLS can help.
- You’re facing debt collection or wage garnishment: Charleston Pro Bono or SCLS can assist with consumer defenses.
- You are a veteran or senior facing eviction: Ask One80 Place Legal Services about dedicated support programs.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Gather documents: Leases, eviction notices, benefit letters, pay stubs, debt notices, court papers, and ID.
- Prepare a summary: Write 2–3 sentences describing your problem and what you need help with.
- List key dates: Hearings, deadlines, or eviction notices.
- Provide income proof: Pay stubs, unemployment, or benefit documentation.
- Highlight urgent risks: Eviction, domestic violence, or benefit termination.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Low-cost attorneys: Contact the Charleston County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service. (charlestoncountybar.org)
- Community legal workshops: Trident Literacy and SCLS host regular free sessions.
- Self-help resources: Visit LawHelp.org/SC for forms and guides.
- LegalClarity tools: Upload documents for plain-English explanations — informational only.
Conclusion: Where Charleston Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Charleston and cannot afford an attorney, start by calling South Carolina Legal Services at (843) 720-7044. For immediate eviction or homelessness concerns, contact One80 Place Legal Services. For domestic violence protection, call My Sister’s House at (843) 744-3242. If you do not qualify for free legal aid, reach out to Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services or use LegalClarity’s document tools — informational only, not legal advice.