Meta: A 2025 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Knoxville, Tennessee — including verified local organizations, eligibility information, and preparation tips. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Knoxville, TN: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Knoxville and cannot afford a private attorney, several local and statewide nonprofit organizations provide free or low-cost civil legal help. These groups assist with housing and eviction defense, family law, domestic violence, benefits disputes, and consumer debt issues. (You can also upload legal documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Knoxville
Legal Aid of East Tennessee (LAET)
What they do: LAET is the main civil legal-aid provider for Knoxville and the surrounding region. They offer help with eviction defense, landlord–tenant issues, family law, domestic violence protective orders, consumer protection, elder law, and benefits denials (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI). They also operate special programs for veterans and seniors.
Who they help: Low-income individuals, seniors, and domestic violence survivors who meet financial eligibility (typically under 125% of the federal poverty level).
Contact: 607 West Summit Hill Drive SW, Knoxville, TN 37902. Phone: (865) 637-0484. Toll-free: 1-800-483-8457. Website: laet.org.
Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS)
What they do: Manages the statewide legal helpline and website Help4TN.org, which offers free legal information, referrals, and assistance. Residents can call 1-844-HELP4TN to get connected to local legal-aid offices like LAET.
Who they help: All Tennessee residents seeking free legal help or guidance.
Contact: Phone: 1-844-HELP4TN (1-844-435-7486). Website: help4tn.org.
Knoxville Family Justice Center
What they do: Provides coordinated services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking — including legal advocacy, protective-order assistance, and connection to pro bono attorneys or Legal Aid of East Tennessee staff lawyers.
Who they help: Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or abuse in Knox County and surrounding areas.
Contact: 400 Harriet Tubman Street, Knoxville, TN 37915. 24-hour Crisis Line: (865) 521-6336. Website: fjcknoxville.com.
University of Tennessee College of Law — Legal Clinics
What they do: Offers supervised legal assistance from law students and faculty in areas such as housing, domestic violence, family law, and small-business matters. Clinics include the Advocacy, Mediation, and Expungement programs.
Who they help: Low-income and underrepresented residents of East Tennessee, typically referred through LAET or community partners.
Contact: 1505 W. Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996. Phone: (865) 974-2331. Website: law.utk.edu/clinics.
Knoxville Bar Association — Access to Justice Program
What they do: Provides pro bono referrals, legal-advice clinics, and a Lawyer Referral Service for low-cost consultations. The Access to Justice Committee partners with LAET for outreach events and free legal clinics.
Who they help: Knox County residents seeking free or affordable civil legal help.
Contact: 505 Main Street, Suite 50, Knoxville, TN 37902. Phone: (865) 522-6522. Website: knoxbar.org.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Knoxville
- Eviction defense and landlord–tenant disputes
- Domestic violence and protective orders
- Custody, visitation, and child support
- Consumer protection and debt-collection defense
- Public-benefits disputes (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, unemployment)
- Elder law, wills, and powers of attorney
- Veterans’ benefits and housing issues
- Expungement and record-clearing assistance
What Knoxville Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense or traffic offenses
- Personal injury or malpractice cases
- Business or corporate disputes
- High-asset divorce or property litigation
When Knoxville Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice or court complaint: Contact Legal Aid of East Tennessee immediately — deadlines are short.
- You experience domestic or sexual violence: Call the Family Justice Center’s 24-hour line at (865) 521-6336.
- Your benefits are denied or reduced: File an appeal quickly — LAET can help.
- You receive debt-collection or garnishment papers: Contact LAET or the Knoxville Bar Association for guidance.
- You are a veteran or senior facing eviction: Ask LAET about targeted programs for veterans and older adults.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Gather documents: Leases, court papers, benefit-denial letters, pay stubs, and identification.
- Write a summary: Describe your issue in 2–3 sentences.
- List key dates: Eviction deadlines or hearing dates.
- Provide income proof: Pay stubs, unemployment, or benefits documentation.
- Highlight urgency: Eviction risk, domestic violence, or loss of income.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Low-cost attorneys: Contact the Knoxville Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service for affordable consultations. (knoxbar.org)
- Statewide resources: Visit Help4TN.org for forms and self-help tools.
- University of Tennessee Legal Clinics: Apply for limited-scope representation from supervised law students.
- LegalClarity tools: Upload your documents for plain-English explanations — informational only.
Conclusion: Where Knoxville Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Knoxville and cannot afford an attorney, start by contacting Legal Aid of East Tennessee at (865) 637-0484. For legal information or referrals, call the statewide Help4TN Helpline at 1-844-HELP4TN. Survivors of domestic violence should contact the Knoxville Family Justice Center. If you do not qualify for free legal aid, reach out to the Knoxville Bar Association or use LegalClarity’s tools for plain-language explanations — informational only, not legal advice.