Central Minnesota Legal Services (Willmar Office)
(320) 253-0138; New Clients (320) 235-9600
415 7th Street Southwest, Suites 101 & 102, Willmar, MN 56201
Free civil (non-criminal) legal assistance to eligible clients in areas of family law, housing, government benefits and consumer law and employment law.
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid (Willmar Office)
(320) 235-9600 or 1-888-360-3666
415 S.W. 7th Street, P.O. Box 1866, Willmar, MN 56201
Free civil (non-criminal) legal assistance to low-income people.
Westbrook Legal Self-Help Center
(507) 822-5735
Westbrook Public Library, 556 1st Ave., Westbrook, MN 56183
Free legal advice clinic with a volunteer attorney is available the second Thursday of the month from 2:30 - 4:30 pm. Appointments are preferred, but walk-ins are accepted as time allows. For appointments call (507) 822-5735 or email vbarronlawoffice@gmail.com.
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.
Willmar Area Legal Advice Hotline
(320) 212-6395
Financially eligible clients who have questions regarding civil legal matters may call 320-212-6395 to speak with an attorney on the first Thursday of each month from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm. To be eligible, client's household income must be at or below the 125% of federal poverty guidelines. Serves residents of the following counties: Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, Meeker, Renville, Swift, and Yellow Medicine. Pre-registration is not required.
Minnesota Courts Self-Help Centers
Forms, videos and other information for individuals representing themselves in court.
Legal Advice Clinics
Directory of legal clinics and Self-Help Centers across the state.
Lincoln County Law Library
Joint Lyon/Lincoln County Law Library: Lyon County Courthouse, 607 W. Main, Marshall, MN 56258
Lincoln County Courthouse
(507) 680-7005
319 North Rebecca Street, Ivanhoe, MN 56142
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.
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.
Minnesota Legal Advice Online (MLAO)
Volunteer attorneys answer legal questions via email for individuals who meet income qualifications.
LawHelpMN.org
Help for low-income people with a broad range of civil (non-criminal) legal matters. Website provides information and resources on a variety of legal topics and can help connect individuals to legal aid and assistance. Live online chat help service available.
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 State Bar Association Lawyer Referral
Free online lawyer search and referral service.
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 (Marshall Office)
(507) 537-6062
601 Jewett Street, Suite A, Marshall, MN 56258
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.
Southwest Health & Human Services - Lincoln County Social Services
(507) 694-1452 or 1-800-657-3781
319 N Rebecca St., P.O. Box 44, Ivanhoe, MN 56142
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. Virtual Guardianship Clinic - social workers and attorneys are available to talk about less restrictive alternatives to guardianship on the first Wednesday of every month from 12-2 pm. No appointments are needed, but please complete a registration form to help with planning.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Information: 1-888-NAMI-Helps (1-888-626-4435) or Helpline: 1-800-273-8255
Education, advocacy, support, and referrals for people with mental illness and their families.
Rainbow Health
(612) 373-2437
Rainbow Health's Legal Services provide legal advice, brief services, and direct representation for HIV–related legal matters.
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 battered women, their advocates, attorneys and the general public in Minnesota.
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 Health & Human Services - Children's & Family Services
(507) 694-1452 or 1-800-657-3781
319 N Rebecca St., P.O. Box 44, Ivanhoe, MN 56142
Hennepin County Bar Association Low Fee Family Law Project
(612) 752-6666
A part of the Lawyer Referral Service, this program is designed to allow affordable representation to the working poor statewide, with income just above the financial bracket where services are available through other legal services providers. Service is provided where volunteers and clients can be matched. A variety of conditions apply. Interested individuals should contact LRIS at 612-752-6666.
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 - 2:00 p.m. To make an appointment, email Program Coordinator Sarah Lewis at slewis@legalcorps.org or call (651) 583-5980.
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.
Lincoln County Veterans Services
(507) 694-1198
319 N. Rebecca, P.O. Box 29, Ivanhoe, MN 56142
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.
Springboard for the Arts
St. Paul: (651) 292-4381, 262 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN 55103
Fergus Falls: (218) 998-4037, 201 West Lincoln Ave, Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Legal advice for low income persons who need help with business organization, contracts, artist tax audits, copyright and trademark infringement, artist immigration, music royalties, and leasing and buying property.
Gender Justice
(651) 789-2090
200 West University Ave., Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55103
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.
