How Can I Get Free Legal Aid Help To File Bankruptcy?

How To Get Free Legal Aid Help for Bankruptcy

If you're struggling financially, you're not alone — and free help may be closer than you think. One option that’s available in most communities is legal aid.

📌 Legal aid services help people with civil legal issues, including bankruptcy. They are usually nonprofits. You may hear this free help called "pro bono."

Legal aid organizations often focus on providing legal help to low-income individuals. Some also serve specific groups like:

• Veterans

• Seniors

• Survivors of domestic violence

• People with disabilities

That said, not all legal aid offices handle bankruptcy cases. Many also have limited resources or long waitlists. If you need immediate help, you can see if you're eligible to use Upsolve’s free online filing tool. Upsolve is a nonprofit that’s helped over 17,000 people file Chapter 7 bankruptcy for free without a lawyer.

To learn more about legal aid and the bankruptcy process, continue reading.

Who Qualifies for Free Legal Aid Help With Bankruptcy?

Most legal aid organizations help people who have low incomes.

💡If your income is at or below 125% of the federal poverty guideline, you’ll probably qualify for free legal help. 

For 2025, this amounts to $19,562.50 for an individual and $40,187.50 for a family of four. So if you’re earning less than that, you may qualify. 

But keep in mind that each legal aid office sets its own eligibility guidelines. Some may look at other factors like your expenses, assets, or the type of legal help you need.

The best way to find out if you qualify is to contact your local legal aid organization directly. They’ll usually ask you a few questions about your household size, income, and situation to determine if they can help.

🔎 You can find your nearest legal aid office by:

• Searching LawHelp.org

• Visiting the Legal Services Corporation directory

• Checking your state’s supreme court’s website via National Center for State Courts

How To Apply for Legal Aid

After finding your local legal aid office, you can reach out and see if they can help with your bankruptcy case. Most organizations do a short intake interview to learn more about you. This is usually via phone or online.

During the intake, they’ll likely ask you about:

• Your income and expenses

• Your household size

• The legal issue you need help with (in this case, bankruptcy)

• Any assets you own, like a car or home

They may also ask for documents to verify your financial situation. This could include recent pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, or benefit letters. This can help them verify that you qualify to get a fresh start through bankruptcy. 

What Legal Aid Can (and Can’t) Help With

Legal aid organizations help with a wide range of civil legal issues. Civil issues are non-criminal problems that affect your everyday life. Some of the most common areas they cover include:

• Housing issues like evictions or unsafe living conditions

• Debt collection, including wage garnishment, repossession, and foreclosure

• Family law, such as custody, domestic violence, or child support

• Public benefits and Social Security problems

Some legal aid offices also help with Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy, but not all of them do. If they don’t take bankruptcy cases, they may refer you to another organization that provides free or low-cost help.

What Is It Like To Work With a Legal Aid Lawyer?

If you qualify for legal aid, and they take your case, you’ll work with an attorney just like you would if you were paying out of pocket. Legal aid lawyers are licensed professionals. They are held to the same ethical and professional standards as private attorneys. Many of them are experienced in helping people with financial and legal problems, including bankruptcy.

Each legal aid organization handles things a little differently, but here’s what you can usually expect:

• Information gathering: Some lawyers will ask you to complete a detailed questionnaire about your finances. Others may schedule a phone or video interview to collect the information they need.

• Bankruptcy forms: If your case moves forward, the attorney or their staff will use your information to prepare the legal forms needed to file your bankruptcy petition.

• Review and approval: Before anything is filed with the court, your lawyer will go over the forms with you to make sure everything is accurate.

💡 Some legal aid offices offer full legal representation. This means the attorney will file your forms and attend your court hearing (called a 341 meeting) with you. Others provide limited assistance, where they help you prepare the paperwork, but you file and attend the hearing on your own. Your legal aid office will explain what level of legal assistance they can offer.

What If Legal Aid Can't Help Me?

Since most legal aid programs operate with limited staff and funding, they usually focus on helping people with the most urgent needs. That means they may not be able to take every case, even if you qualify based on income. If that happens, it doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

Here are a few other ways people get help filing for bankruptcy or dealing with related legal issues when legal aid isn’t available:

• Free consultations with bankruptcy attorneys: Many private bankruptcy lawyers offer a free initial consultation. This can be a good way to find out if bankruptcy is the right path for you and what your options are.

• Low-cost legal clinics: Some cities have nonprofit or bar association-sponsored clinics where you can get basic legal guidance for little or no cost.

• Upsolve’s free filing tool: If you’re eligible for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and have a simple case, Upsolve’s free tool can help you file without hiring a lawyer. It walks you through each step and generates the official forms you need to submit to the court.

• SoloSuit: If you’ve been sued and you’re facing a debt collection lawsuit, SoloSuit can help you draft a formal legal response. They’ve helped hundreds of thousands of people respond to debt lawsuits, and they offer a 100% money-back guarantee. 

You don’t have to navigate this alone. Whether you get help from legal aid, a private attorney, or a trusted nonprofit, support is available — even if it takes a few steps to find the right fit.

Why Do Legal Aid Organizations Exist?

As the law has become more complex, many ordinary Americans have a hard time navigating the legal system on their own. And bankruptcy law is no exception. After all, bankruptcy lawyers spend several years in law school to understand how to navigate the legal system successfully.

As a result, philanthropists, and eventually government agencies, started legal aid programs to provide free help to low-income Americans who struggle to get the legal information they need or who need free legal answers. This is especially helpful for individuals on a fixed Social Security income or those with limited or low income.

Let's Summarize...

If you’re struggling financially and thinking about filing bankruptcy, free legal help may be available through a local legal aid organization. These nonprofits help people with low income get legal support for civil issues, including bankruptcy. While not every legal aid office handles bankruptcy cases, many can still offer referrals or point you in the right direction. You're not alone in this, and there are trusted resources that can help you move forward with confidence.