Consult/Hire a Private Attorney
HBA's Houston Lawyer Referral Service
If you do not meet the financial guidelines*, and need to hire an insured ,pre-screened and reasonably priced attorney, request a referral from the Houston Lawyer Referral Service
Houston Lawyer Referral Service (HLRS)
713-237-9429
Attorneys are reasonably priced (typically $200-$400 an hour) and offer a $20 thirty-minute consultation. If injured attorneys consider these cases on contingency.
Free Legal Services - Civil
Houston Volunteer Lawyers (income based)
Applicants must be financially eligible and have limited assets to receive services. For most programs** household income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) and have a civil non-criminal legal matter.
Cases handled include:
- Family Law (Divorce, Custody, Child Support)
- Guardianship, Evictions
- Consumer Disputes
- Tax Issues
- Probate Matters
- Veterans' Issues
- Real Estate
- Wills
- Juvenile Record Sealing and Criminal Expunctions.
Complete online questionnaire to determine eligibility for services. This organization also serves undocumented individuals. Apply online.
713-228-0735
**For veterans or those needing help with tax issues or eviction defense eligibility can be up to 300% of FPG.
Free Legal Services - Civil
Lone Star Legal Aid (income based)
Federally funded agency that provides free assistance for certain types of civil legal matters for individuals that meet certain guidelines. Apply online.
713-652-0077
Free Legal Services - Mediation
Harris County Resolution Center
Services are provided by qualified volunteer mediators. Attorney mediators are used for complex civil and family law matters.
Civil matters with pleadings of $100,000 or less, pre-suit and post-judgement:
- Divorce (with or without children, modifications)
- Consumer Debt (including credit card debt)
- Landlord/Tenant
- Commercial
- Property Damage
- Personal Injury
- Small Claims Suit
- Neighbor/Community
Mediations are typically scheduled within 10-15 days of submission. Mediations are provided for pro se and represented clients; in-person and virtual mediations available.
Harris County Dispute Resolution Center (DRC)
713-274-7100
Court Appointed Attorneys
Criminal Court
If you have been charged with a crime and can not afford an attorney you must contact the court where you were arraigned to request a court appointed attorney. Income based and many other requirements, see website.
Harris County District Criminal Courts
* Income Based Programs use a range of Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) 2023
Household Size: up to 200% poverty level*
1 : up to $29,160
2 : up to $39,440
3 : up to $49,720
4 : up to $60,000
** Some grants allow for 300% of poverty level for veterans, tax issues and those with eviction defense. This is for informational purposes only, contact the organization for detailed requirements"
