If you live in Provo and cannot afford a private attorney, several organizations provide free or low-cost civil legal aid serving Utah County. These groups help with evictions, unsafe housing, domestic violence, consumer debt, family law, disability benefits, senior legal needs, and more. (You may upload legal documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation - informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Provo
Utah Legal Services (ULS)
What they do: Utah Legal Services is the primary statewide free civil legal aid program for low-income Utahns. The Provo office at 455 N. University Avenue, Suite 100 serves Utah County. ULS handles eviction defense, landlord-tenant disputes, domestic violence, family law (divorce, custody, protective orders), consumer debt, public benefits, foreclosure prevention, elder law, immigration civil matters, and record expungement. ULS represents domestic violence victims regardless of income for protective orders and civil stalking injunctions.
Who they help: Low-income Utah residents who meet income eligibility requirements. Domestic violence victims are helped regardless of income for protective orders.
Contact: Phone (central intake): (801) 328-8891 (Monday-Friday, 9 AM-2 PM). Apply online at utahlegalservices.org. Website: utahlegalservices.org.
Timpanogos Legal Center (TLC)
What they do: Provides free telephone legal advice to Utahns on family law, protective orders, housing, and guardianships. TLC staff attorneys give brief legal advice, provide referrals, and assist victims of domestic violence. Call Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 2 PM. Legal advice clinics are also held monthly in the Provo area.
Who they help: Utahns seeking free brief legal advice on family law, housing, and protective orders.
Contact: Phone: (801) 649-8895. Website: timplegal.org.
The Refuge
What they do: Provides emergency shelter, legal advocacy, protective order assistance, safety planning, crisis intervention, and referrals for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Who they help: Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Utah County and across Utah.
24/7 Hotline: (801) 356-2511. Website: therefugeutah.org.
Utah State Bar Lawyer Referral Service
What they do: Connects Utah residents with private attorneys for low-cost consultations across all civil practice areas. Useful for residents who do not qualify for free legal aid or need representation outside ULS's scope.
Contact: Phone: (801) 531-9077. Website: utahbar.org.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Provo
- Eviction defense and unsafe housing conditions
- Landlord retaliation and habitability problems
- Domestic violence and protection orders
- Custody, visitation, and child support issues
- Debt collection, repossessions, and garnishment
- Public-benefits denials (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI)
- Foreclosure prevention and homeowner assistance
- Immigration-related civil help
- Record sealing and expungement
- Elder law and financial exploitation prevention
- Consumer fraud and predatory lending
- Disability rights and accommodation issues
What Provo Legal Aid Usually Cannot Handle
- Criminal defense cases
- Traffic violations
- Personal injury or malpractice lawsuits
- Business or commercial disputes
- Immigration removal (deportation) defense
- High-asset or heavily contested divorce cases
When Provo Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice: Act quickly - Utah eviction cases can move to a hearing within days in Utah County courts.
- You experience domestic or sexual violence: Call The Refuge at (801) 356-2511 immediately for emergency legal advocacy and safety planning.
- You receive debt-collection or garnishment paperwork: Deadlines are strict - save all documents and contact Utah Legal Services right away.
- Your landlord refuses urgent repairs: Document conditions with photos and written requests before taking further steps.
- Your public benefits were denied or cut: Appeals windows are short - call Utah Legal Services at (801) 328-8891 as soon as you receive a denial notice.
- You face eviction: Utah eviction hearings can be scheduled very quickly - contact ULS's Provo office at (801) 328-8891 immediately.
- You need quick legal advice: Call Timpanogos Legal Center at (801) 649-8895 for immediate telephone legal guidance.
How to Prepare Before Contacting Legal Aid
- Gather documents: leases, eviction notices, court papers, photos of housing conditions, debt collection letters, benefit denial letters, ID, pay stubs, and any disability or immigration documentation.
- Create a timeline: note key dates - notices received, repair requests, payments missed, and upcoming court or hearing dates.
- Prepare financial information: household size, monthly income, expenses, and current benefits - eligibility screening requires this.
- Write a brief issue summary: 2-3 sentences describing what happened and what outcome you need.
- Note urgent factors: upcoming court dates, eviction deadlines, risk of homelessness, violence, disability, or pending benefit cutoffs.
Alternatives If You Don't Qualify for Free Legal Aid
- Timpanogos Legal Center (statewide): free telephone legal advice on family law, protective orders, housing, and guardianships at (801) 649-8895 (Monday-Friday, 9 AM-2 PM).
- Utah State Bar Lawyer Referral Service: low-cost consultations with private attorneys at (801) 531-9077.
- Utah Courts Self-Help Center: free help with court forms, procedures, and referrals at utcourts.gov/en/legal-help.
- LegalClarity document upload: receive a plain-English explanation of your legal documents (informational only).
Conclusion: Where Provo Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Provo and cannot afford a private attorney, call Utah Legal Services at (801) 328-8891 or apply online at utahlegalservices.org. Survivors of domestic violence can call ULS for protective order help regardless of income. For domestic violence emergencies, call The Refuge at (801) 356-2511 right away. If you don't qualify for full representation, Timpanogos Legal Center at (801) 649-8895 offers free telephone legal advice. You can also upload your documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation - informational only, not legal advice.