If you live in Morgantown and cannot afford a private attorney, several organizations provide free or low-cost civil legal aid serving Monongalia County. These groups help with evictions, unsafe housing, domestic violence, consumer debt, family law, disability benefits, senior legal needs, substance use disorder-related civil matters, and more. (You may upload legal documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation - informational only, not legal advice.)
Major Legal Aid Providers Serving Morgantown
Legal Aid of West Virginia (LAWV)
What they do: Legal Aid of WV is the primary free civil legal aid program for low-income West Virginians. The Morgantown office serves Monongalia and surrounding north-central West Virginia counties. LAWV handles eviction defense, landlord-tenant disputes, domestic violence (protective orders, divorce when DV is involved, custody), public benefits, consumer debt, elder financial exploitation, housing, substance use disorder recovery support, veterans services, and special education advocacy.
Who they help: Low-income West Virginia residents who meet income eligibility requirements. DV victims are also served for protective orders regardless of income level in many cases.
Contact: Central intake: (866) 255-4370. Local office: (304) 296-0001. Apply online at legalaidwv.org. Website: legalaidwv.org.
WVU College of Law Clinical Program
What they do: Provides free legal services to low-income persons in north-central West Virginia, generally covering family law, Social Security and other public benefits, property issues, consumer debt, bankruptcy, and immigration. Services are provided by law students under faculty supervision. Call for eligibility and intake information.
Who they help: Low-income residents of north-central West Virginia.
Contact: Phone: (304) 293-7249. Website: law.wvu.edu.
West Virginia Senior Legal Aid (WVSLA)
What they do: Provides free civil legal services for West Virginians age 60 and older in the Morgantown area, with no income limits. Services cover housing, consumer issues, elder abuse, public benefits, and family matters.
Who they help: Any West Virginia resident age 60 or older - no income limits.
Contact: Phone: (800) 229-5068. Website: seniorlegalaid.net.
Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center (RDVIC)
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 Monongalia County.
24/7 Hotline: (304) 292-5100. Website: rdvic.org.
West Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service
What they do: Connects West Virginia residents with private attorneys for low-cost 30-minute initial consultations (fee of $25 or less) across all civil practice areas. Useful for residents who do not qualify for free legal aid or need services outside LAWV's scope.
Contact: Phone: (800) 642-3617. Website: wvlawyerreferral.org.
Common Civil-Legal Issues Covered in Morgantown
- 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
- Substance use disorder recovery - civil barriers to housing, employment, and custody
- Student-related civil legal issues (tenant, employment, academic)
What Morgantown 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 Morgantown Residents Should Seek Help Immediately
- You receive an eviction notice: Act quickly - West Virginia eviction cases move fast in Monongalia County courts.
- You experience domestic or sexual violence: Call Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center (RDVIC) at (304) 292-5100 immediately for emergency legal advocacy and safety planning.
- You receive debt-collection or garnishment paperwork: Deadlines are strict - save all documents and contact Legal Aid of West Virginia 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 Legal Aid of WV at (866) 255-4370 as soon as you receive a denial notice.
- You experience domestic violence or sexual assault: RDVIC at (304) 292-5100 provides 24-hour crisis support and legal advocacy for Monongalia County.
- You are a student with civil legal needs: The WVU College of Law clinic at (304) 293-7249 serves low-income residents in the Morgantown area.
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 veteran 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
- West Virginia Senior Legal Aid: free civil legal services for West Virginians age 60 and older at (800) 229-5068 (no income limits; higher-need seniors get priority).
- West Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service: low-cost attorney consultations at (800) 642-3617.
- West Virginia Free Legal Answers (online clinic): submit a civil legal question at wv.freelegalanswers.org and receive a response from a volunteer attorney.
- LegalClarity document upload: receive a plain-English explanation of your legal documents (informational only).
Conclusion: Where Morgantown Residents Should Start
If you need civil legal help in Morgantown and cannot afford a private attorney, call Legal Aid of West Virginia at (866) 255-4370 or apply online at legalaidwv.org. Seniors age 60 and older can also call West Virginia Senior Legal Aid at (800) 229-5068 regardless of income. For domestic violence emergencies, call Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center (RDVIC) at (304) 292-5100 right away. If you don't qualify for free services, contact the WV State Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (800) 642-3617. You can also upload your documents to LegalClarity for a plain-English explanation - informational only, not legal advice.