Meta: A 2025 plain-language guide to free and low-cost civil legal aid in Murfreesboro, Tennessee — including verified providers, eligibility information, and how to prepare before applying. Not legal advice.
Legal Aid in Murfreesboro, TN: Where to Get Help If You Can’t Afford a Lawyer
If you live in Murfreesboro and cannot afford a private attorney, several nonprofit and statewide organizations provide free or low-cost legal services. These programs assist with eviction defense, housing problems, family law, domestic violence, consumer debt, elder law, and benefits disputes. (You can also upload legal documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation — informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Murfreesboro
Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (LASMTC) — Murfreesboro Office
What they do: LASMTC is the main provider of civil legal aid in Rutherford County and Middle Tennessee. They handle eviction defense, housing discrimination, domestic violence, custody, child support, consumer and debt cases, elder law, and public-benefits denials. The Murfreesboro office also provides community clinics and senior-legal outreach.
Who they help: Low-income individuals, seniors, veterans, and domestic violence survivors who meet income eligibility (usually under 125% of the federal poverty level).
Contact: 526 North Walnut Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. Phone: (615) 890-0905. Toll-free: 1-800-238-1443. Website: las.org.
Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (TALS) — Help4TN Helpline
What they do: Operates the statewide Help4TN.org legal helpline and website. Residents can call 1-844-HELP4TN for free legal information, referrals, and guidance on family, housing, and consumer issues.
Who they help: All Tennessee residents seeking free legal guidance or referrals.
Contact: Phone: 1-844-HELP4TN (1-844-435-7486). Website: help4tn.org.
Rutherford County Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center (DVCAC)
What they do: Provides emergency shelter, crisis support, legal advocacy, and court accompaniment for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Works closely with LASMTC to help file protective orders and connect survivors to free attorneys.
Who they help: Victims of domestic or sexual violence in Rutherford County.
Contact: 2106 East Main Street, Murfreesboro, TN 37130. 24-hour Crisis Line: (615) 896-2012. Website: dvcac.org.
Rutherford County Bar Association — Lawyer Referral and Pro Bono Program
What they do: Offers free legal-advice clinics and matches residents with volunteer or low-cost attorneys for civil matters, including housing, family law, and consumer disputes. Partners with LASMTC for outreach events.
Who they help: Low-income and moderate-income residents of Rutherford County.
Contact: Website: rutherfordcountybar.org.
Veterans Legal Assistance Program — LASMTC
What they do: Provides specialized legal aid for veterans, covering housing, benefits, family law, and consumer-protection cases. Services are coordinated through LASMTC’s Veterans Legal Project.
Who they help: Veterans and military families residing in Middle Tennessee.
Contact: Call LASMTC at (615) 890-0905 and request veterans’ services.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Murfreesboro
- Eviction defense and landlord-tenant disputes
- Domestic violence and protective orders
- Custody, visitation, and child support
- Debt collection and consumer protection
- Public-benefits denials (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI)
- Elder law and exploitation prevention
- Veterans’ benefits and housing rights
What Murfreesboro Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense or traffic offenses
- Personal-injury or malpractice cases
- Business or corporate disputes
- High-asset or contested divorces
When Murfreesboro Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice: Contact LASMTC right away — deadlines are short.
- You experience domestic or sexual violence: Call the DVCAC 24-hour hotline at (615) 896-2012 or 911 if in danger.
- Your benefits are denied or stopped: File an appeal promptly — LASMTC can help.
- You receive debt-collection papers: Contact LASMTC or Help4TN for assistance before your hearing date.
- You are a veteran or senior facing eviction: Ask LASMTC about specialized veterans or elder-law services.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Gather documents: Leases, court papers, ID, benefit letters, and pay stubs.
- Write a short summary: Explain your issue in 2–3 sentences.
- List key dates: Notices, hearing dates, or deadlines.
- Provide proof of income: Pay stubs, unemployment, or benefits records.
- Highlight urgency: Eviction, violence, or loss of benefits.
Alternatives If You Don’t Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Low-cost attorneys: Contact the Rutherford County Bar Association for referrals. (rutherfordcountybar.org)
- Self-help resources: Visit Help4TN.org for forms and legal guides.
- LegalClarity tools: Upload documents for plain-English explanations — informational only.
Conclusion: Where Murfreesboro Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Murfreesboro and cannot afford an attorney, begin by contacting Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands at (615) 890-0905. For general information or referrals, call the statewide Help4TN Helpline at 1-844-HELP4TN. Survivors of domestic violence should contact the DVCAC Crisis Line at (615) 896-2012. Veterans can request help through LASMTC’s Veterans Legal Project. If you do not qualify for free services, visit rutherfordcountybar.org or upload your documents to LegalClarity for a plain-language explanation — informational only, not legal advice.