- About 2 minread
- General ideashold in most courts
- Checked October 26, 2026educational only
The short version
Look for legal aid offices, court self-help centers, law school clinics, and bar association referral programs. Some help with the whole case; many help with one step.
Places to look
- Legal aid and legal services offices. Nonprofit groups that help people with limited income. Many have eligibility rules and waiting lists, so ask early.
- Court self-help centers or help desks. Staff can often explain forms and procedures, though they cannot give legal advice or tell you what to do in your case.
- Law school clinics. Supervised students sometimes take cases or help with one step.
- Bar association programs. Many run referral services, limited-scope help, or free clinics on certain days.
- Hotlines and online tools. Some groups answer basic questions by phone or chat.
When you call or visit
- Have your court name, case number, and the dates on your papers in front of you.
- Ask: “Do you help with my kind of case?” and “Can you help with just one step?”
- Write down the name of who you spoke to and what they said.
- If they can't help, ask who can. Then ask that person the same questions.
Be careful of
Anyone who promises you will win, asks for payment up front to “stop” a case, or pressures you to act right now. Real help explains the process and respects your decision.
New York specificallyOpen the New York legal aid directory →Find New York offices that may help. Pro Se Posse keeps the general ideas here; the New York details live in our reference library.Last checked: October 26, 2026. This page covers general ideas that hold in most courts. Rules differ by state and by court, so look up the rules for yours.
Educational information only. Not legal advice, not a law firm, and no attorney-client relationship. Nothing here tells you what to do in your own case.