Matters of family law can be some of the most stressful legal situations any of us face. Because we are so invested in our families and the people we love, it’s natural that emotions can run high during any family law case. If you’re involved in a child custody dispute, divorce, separation, or other legal matter, it’s a good idea to hire a family law attorney to represent you and your family members’ needs.

In many cases, it can be difficult to afford legal advice from an experienced attorney. If you can’t afford a family lawyer to represent you, it could be a good idea to look into free or sliding scale options out there to help you with your legal issues. If you need legal help but can’t afford a lawyer, read on for information about how you could obtain legal services now.

Free Initial Consultations

Getting free advice from a lawyer could be as simple as a Google search like “lawyers free advice” or “free legal help.” Free Advice, for example, has a history of helping millions of consumers with outstanding legal information and advice since 1995. The easy-to-understand legal content on FreeAdvice.com is continually updated by nationally respected specialists and could be a quick way to get help for any legal problem you’re facing. At the very least, the use of a company like Free Advice might be enough to tell you if you need to hire an attorney.

Pro Bono Cases

Hollywood has helped many people to become familiar with the general concept of pro bono cases. While criminal defense lawyers often take on cases for low-income defendants or in high-profile cases, the same can’t be said for family lawyers. That is, it’s rare to find an attorney who will take on a family case free of charge. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t find an attorney in your area who can represent you on a sliding scale fee. Start with a call to 211 if you live in the United States, and ask for a referral to your state’s legal aid agency.

Legal Questions Along the Way

Many people make use of self-service programs to navigate things like family mediation. Instead of paying for full representation, they simply need someone they can call when they get stuck. A simple call to your area’s social services agency could be a great way to get in touch with people who work in free legal services programs near you. While it’s uncommon to find a lawyer who will represent you for free in a family courtroom, it is possible to find a law firm that offers free legal advice on an income-based scale for people with disabilities or other challenging situations.

Contacting the court your case will be in is a good way to ask about low-cost or free legal representation, too. Consider a call to your courthouse to inquire about legal referral services, the types of cases where help’s available, and more. A court clerk can also advise you of which forms you need for a specific type of case. Other resources to consider are the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) in your area as well as your local CASA. CASA is a non-profit agency that can appoint guardians to serve in a child’s interest for free.

In the end, most attorneys are willing to meet with prospective clients for an initial consultation. Setting up an appointment could be a great way to start with any law help you need. Even if you can’t afford to hire an attorney, ask about free legal services programs they might know about. You might be surprised at the self-help services and free legal answers you can find if you’re willing to reach out.