Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
1-877-MY-MN-LAW (1-877-696-6529)
Free legal help to low-income and senior citizen clients for civil (non-criminal) legal problems including family law, government benefits, housing, probate, tax, and other matters.
Minnesota Courts Self-Help Centers
Forms, videos and other information for individuals representing themselves in court.
Fifth Judicial District Self-Help Workshop
(507) 594-3044
Volunteer attorney available to review documents; advise on the content of documents, legal issues and procedures, and next steps; and answering questions and providing explanation as needed. Workshop is held the first and third Wednesday of each month from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm via Zoom. Appointments are required and each appointment is 45 minutes in length. There is a $40 fee per person attending the workshop. Contact Ruth Harms at Ruth.Harms@courts.state.mn.us or (507) 594-3044 for more information and to make an appointment.
Justice Buses
Justice Buses are mobile legal aid offices that will travel to rural areas, bringing with them the ability to meet in person or obtain legal information so clients can stay close to home.
Legal Kiosk Project
The Minnesota Legal Services Coalition has legal kiosks in community locations throughout the state to provide access to legal aid services to individuals without access to wifi or technology. The kiosks offer the public the ability to apply for civil legal aid services, access legal resources, and in some cases, attend remote court hearings in privacy. Anyone can use the computer at one of these legal kiosks free of charge.
To find a legal kiosk available for remote court hearings, choose the option for "locations that have privacy" on the kiosk location map.
Legal Advice Clinics
Directory of legal clinics and Self-Help Centers across the state.
LawHelpMN.org
Website providing Minnesotans with legal information and resources on a variety of civil (non-criminal) legal topics and helping connect individuals to legal aid and assistance. Live online chat help service available.
Cottonwood County Law Library
In the Cottonwood County Courthouse: 900 3rd Avenue, Windom, MN 56101
Law library providing residents with up-to-date legal research materials, self-help guides, court forms (family law, conciliation, etc.), and other legal resources
Cottonwood County Courthouse
(507) 831-7003
900 3rd Avenue, P.O. Box 97, Windom, MN 56101
Minnesota State Law Library
(651) 297-7651
Get help finding legal information
Room G25, Minnesota Judicial Center, 25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155
Our librarians can help you find legal information, court forms, and other materials by phone, email, or in person. In addition, we offer two clinics for those working on appeals: General Appeals Self-Help Clinic - held on the 3rd Thursday of the month. This is a brief advice clinic for people who are representing themselves. There is no income-qualification required for attendance. Unemployment Appeal Legal Advice Clinic - service for people who have already had a hearing with the Unemployment Law Judge and have also requested reconsideration and it has been denied. You can attend the clinic to get advice about how to proceed with an appeal to the Court of Appeals. Clinics held on the 2nd Thursday of the month and 4th Thursday of the month. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please visit our website.
Minnesota Unbundled Law Project
Directory of attorneys offering unbundled legal services (also known as limited scope legal services) that are customizable for your needs and budget. Practice areas include family; business; employment; real estate; benefits; housing; wills, trusts, and elder law; consumer protection and debt; and more. For more information about unbundled legal services, visit their FAQ.
Community Mediation Minnesota
1-833-266-2663
Providing mediation and restorative justice resources to help resolve disputes involving neighbors, families, businesses, consumers, crime victims, landlords, tenants, or other matters.
Minnesota Lawyer Referral and Information Service (MNLRIS)
(612) 752-6699
MNLRIS connects persons with legal issues to one of over 200 qualified private attorneys practicing in over 50 areas of law. Referral counselors are available who can set up appointments with attorneys, provide general information about the legal process, and direct people to appropriate legal resources. MNLRIS is sponsored by the Hennepin and Ramsey County Bar Associations.
Minnesota Lawyer Referral and Information Service (MNLRIS) Reduced Fee Program
(612) 752-6699
The Reduced Fee Program provides full representation for a reduced fee to clients for most legal issues. Eligible clients are financially over-income for free legal services, but cannot afford the traditional fees of private attorneys. A private attorney is one that you pay to represent you. A referral Counselor helps you determine if you qualify for this service. Attorneys are located in the Twin City metro area.
Minnesota State Bar Association Lawyer Referral
Free online lawyer search and referral service.
Minnesota Legal Advice Online (MLAO)
Volunteer attorneys answer legal questions via email for individuals who meet income qualifications.
United Way 211
Dial 2-1-1
Operators available 24/7 to provide targeted referrals to legal services and resources.
Public Defender - Fifth Judicial District (Worthington Office)
(507) 372-7100
1010 2nd Avenue, 2nd Floor, Worthington, MN 56187
Legal services by court appointment for low-income people who are involved in criminal and juvenile delinquency cases.
Sealing Criminal Records to Enhance Justice
If you have a criminal record for an offense that was prosecuted in state court, prosecutors from the Attorney General's Office may be able to help you determine if you qualify for expungement. If you qualify, the Attorney General's Office may be able to help you get your record sealed by the Court at no cost to you.
Mitchell Hamline Self Help Clinic
(651) 695-7609
Assistance for self-represented parties for criminal expungement. Appointments are preferred. Contact selfhelp.clinic@mitchellhamline.edu or use the online application form to request an appointment. Remote appointments may also be available.
Center for Excellence in Supported Decision Making
Guardianship Information Line: 1-844-333-1748
Statewide resource offering free in-depth telephone consultation, referrals, information and assistance for families, individuals, and professionals regarding individuals at risk for guardianship/conservatorship.
Volunteers of America Guardianship Clinic
Monthly virtual drop-in clinics held the first Wednesday of every month from 12 - 2 PM. People with questions related to a person's decision-making ability, use of supported decision making, need for guardianship, availability of alternatives, or related concerns are encouraged to drop in during clinic hours to meet with social workers or attorneys for educational information and to get their questions answered in real time. No appointments are needed, but please complete the registration form to help with planning.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Information: 1-888-NAMI-Helps (1-888-626-4435); Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988
Education, advocacy, support, and referrals for people with mental illness and their families.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers providing 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you and your loved ones. Call or text 988 for crisis assistance. Assistance is also available in Spanish.
Rainbow Health
(612) 373-2437
Rainbow Health's Legal Services provide legal advice, brief services, and direct representation for HIV–related legal matters.
Safe Avenues
24-hour crisis line: 1-800-792-4210
Emergency shelter for the lower Southwestern corner of Minnesota and safe parenting time services for families in need.
Southwest Crisis Center
24 Hour SAFELINE: (800) 376-4311
Youth Text Line: (218) 666-8336
Windom Office: (507) 831-2244
Providing direct services to survivors and victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, sex trafficking, sexual harassment, stalking, and child abuse. Services available for immigrants and refugees (English and non-English speaking).
Violence Free Minnesota (formerly Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women)
24-Hour Phone Line: (866) 223-1111
24-hour hotline for victims of domestic abuse throughout Minnesota helps connect individuals to resources and services available to them.
Standpoint (Formerly Battered Women's Legal Advocacy Project)
1-800-313-2666 or (612) 343-9842; Text Line: (612) 743-7397
Statewide program serving domestic and sexual violence survivors, their advocates, attorneys and other professionals working within the justice system in Minnesota.
Des Moines Valley Health and Human Services
(507) 831-1891
11 4th Street, PO Box 9, Windom, MN 56101
Children's Law Center of Minnesota
(651) 644-4438
450 N. Syndicate St, Suite 315, St. Paul, MN 55104
Free advocacy and legal representation for foster care youth in Minnesota.
Youth Law Project
(612) 334-5970
The Project works with children/youth from birth to age 24 anywhere in Minnesota. Legal assistance (no criminal) for low income youth who are abused, neglected, experiencing or are at risk of homelessness or sexual exploitation, or have questions about safety, minor consent, access education, public benefits, obtaining government identification, or any other civil legal issues.
Small Business Landlord Brief Legal Advice Clinic - LegalCORPS
Speak with a housing law attorney to ask questions or receive some general guidance. To be eligible, landlords must be at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines for the size of their household. This clinic provides brief advice; full representation is not available. The clinic takes place on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month between 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. To make an appointment, email Program Coordinator Sarah Lewis at slewis@legalcorps.org or call (651) 583-5980.
Mitchell Hamline Self Help Clinic
(651) 695-7609
Assistance for self-represented parties with eviction expungement issues. Appointments are required. Contact selfhelp.clinic@mitchellhamline.edu or use the online application form to request an appointment. Remote appointments may also be available.
Minnesota Elder Justice Center
(651) 440-9300
Providing information and resources statewide to older and/or vulnerable adults and their loved ones around issues of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. Services include obtaining protective orders, incapacity and safety planning, limited legal representation, and referrals. To get more information, please call (651) 440-9312 to speak to an advocate or use the contact form.
Center for Excellence in Supported Decision Making
Guardianship Information Line: 1-844-333-1748
Statewide resource offering free in-depth telephone consultation, referrals, information and assistance for families, individuals, and professionals regarding individuals at risk for guardianship/conservatorship.
Volunteers of America Guardianship Clinic
Monthly virtual drop-in clinics held the first Wednesday of every month from 12 - 2 PM. People with questions related to a person's decision-making ability, use of supported decision making, need for guardianship, availability of alternatives, or related concerns are encouraged to drop in during clinic hours to meet with social workers or attorneys for educational information and to get their questions answered in real time. No appointments are needed, but please complete the registration form to help with planning.
Cottonwood County Veterans Service Office
(507) 831-5522
41385 U.S. Hwy. 71, P.O. Box 201, Windom, MN 56101
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
(888) 838-7727
Provides assistance to unrepresented veterans or their family members who have filed appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
LinkVet Support
1-888-546-5838
24-7 support from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) for Minnesota Veterans and their families.
Minnesota Department of Human Rights Mediation Program
(651) 539-1100 or 1-800-657-3704
No cost and voluntary alternative dispute resolution process by which the parties attempt to settle their discrimination disputes with the help of a trained mediator. Mediation takes place before the Department begins an investigation into allegations of discrimination and before a probable cause finding is made.
Minnesota Lawyers for the Arts - Springboard for the Arts
Legal advice for low income artists and creatives who need help with business organization, contracts, artist tax audits, copyright and trademark infringement, artist immigration, music royalties, and leasing and buying property. Complete the intake form to see if you are eligible for services. For assistance, email legal@springboardforthearts.org or call (651) 294-0907.
Gender Justice
(651) 789-2090
Gender Justice provides legal representation for transgender and other clients relative to employment discrimination, health care, and other necessities.
The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program
(888) 838-7727
Provides assistance to unrepresented veterans or their family members who have filed appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.
