16 Resources
Free civil legal services for low-income residents of Boston and 31 surrounding communities. Covers family law (including custody and child support), housing, public benefits, employment, and immigration matters. Income-eligible clients can apply by phone or online; be ready to share household income, proof of residency, and any court papers or notices. Walk-in intake hours vary by unit, so call first to confirm eligibility and availability.
617-371-1234 · 197 Friend St, Boston, MA 02114 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Free legal help for low-income residents of Middlesex County communities west of Boston (Framingham, Natick, Marlborough, Waltham, Hudson, and 40+ towns) covering family law, housing, public benefits, elder law, and domestic violence. Call to apply or complete the online intake form; bring photo ID, proof of income, and any court papers or notices. Phone screening determines case acceptance based on income guidelines.
508-620-1830 · 63 Fountain St, Suite 304, Framingham, MA 01702 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Free legal assistance for low-income residents of southeastern Massachusetts including Fall River, New Bedford, Brockton, Taunton, Attleboro, and Cape Cod communities. Handles family law, housing, public benefits, immigration, and elder law. Call the intake line to apply or use the online form; bring photo ID, proof of income, and any court paperwork. Eligibility based on federal poverty guidelines and case type.
508-676-6268 · 231 Main St, Suite 201, Brockton, MA 02301 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Free civil legal services for low-income residents of the Merrimack Valley and North Shore including Lawrence, Lowell, Haverhill, Salem, Lynn, and Gloucester. Handles family law, housing, public benefits, employment, and immigration. Apply by phone or online; bring photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs, benefit letters), and any court or agency notices. Bilingual services available in Spanish and other languages.
978-458-1465 · 35 John St, Suite 302, Lowell, MA 01852 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Free statewide self-help legal website with plain-language guides, downloadable court forms, booklets, and information on family law, custody, divorce, paternity, child support, housing, benefits, and domestic violence. Used by self-represented parents preparing to file or respond in Probate & Family Court. Available 24/7 in English and Spanish; many forms link directly to the Trial Court's Odyssey eFileMA portal for online filing.
Online statewide resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
Official bar association referral service connecting the public with licensed Massachusetts attorneys by practice area and location, including family law. Initial 30-minute consultations are offered at a reduced rate; some clients may qualify for pro bono matching. Call the hotline or submit an online request; be ready to describe the legal issue, your location, and any relevant deadlines or court dates.
617-654-0400 · 20 West St, Boston, MA 02111 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Pro bono legal program matching low-income Boston-area residents with volunteer attorneys for family law (custody, divorce, paternity), housing, consumer, and immigration cases. Income-eligible applicants apply through the Legal Advocacy & Resource Center hotline, which screens and refers to VLP. Bring photo ID, proof of income, and any court papers or notices to the intake call or appointment.
617-603-1700 · 7 Winthrop Sq, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02110 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Online tool that connects Massachusetts residents to their local legal aid program, self-help resources, and pro bono clinics based on location, income, and legal issue. Users answer short eligibility questions and are routed to appropriate programs for custody, divorce, housing, benefits, and immigration matters. Available 24/7 statewide in English and Spanish. Have your ZIP code and basic income information ready when you search.
Online resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
Trust-account interest program that funds civil legal aid for low-income Massachusetts residents through grants to legal services organizations statewide. Residents do not apply directly; instead IOLTA funds support intake hotlines and local legal aid programs that handle family law, housing, benefits, and consumer cases. Visit the website for a list of grantees that accept income-eligible client applications.
617-723-9093 · 18 Tremont St, Suite 1010, Boston, MA 02108 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Provides pro bono legal representation for immigrants, minorities, and low-income residents in the Boston area on civil rights, housing discrimination, and economic justice issues. Does not generally handle individual family law cases, but refers to legal aid partners when appropriate. Intake is by appointment; bring photo ID, proof of income, and any notices or court papers related to the discrimination or civil rights issue.
617-482-1145 · 61 Batterymarch St, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02110 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Nonprofit that uses legal advocacy, systemic litigation, and policy work to address barriers to justice for low-income Massachusetts residents in areas including family homelessness, education access, and court access. Does not provide direct representation in individual custody or divorce cases; refers to local legal aid programs. Contact through the website for policy inquiries and volunteer opportunities.
617-482-8686 · Boston, MA · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Statewide legal hotline for low-income Massachusetts residents providing free brief advice, document review, and referrals on civil legal issues including family law, housing, and public benefits. Callers are screened for income eligibility and case type, then receive advice from an attorney or a referral to a local legal aid office or pro bono program. Have photo ID, income info, and any papers or notices ready when you call.
617-603-1700 · 7 Winthrop Sq, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02110 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Statewide legal advocacy organization working on systemic issues affecting low-income families including public benefits, housing, family law, immigration, and domestic violence. Supports front-line legal aid programs with training, publications, and impact litigation but does not take individual client cases directly. Parents seeking case help should contact LARC, GBLS, or their regional legal aid office for intake.
617-357-0700 · 40 Court St, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02108 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Free legal clinic operated by Suffolk University Law School students under faculty supervision, providing assistance on family law, housing, and public benefits matters to low-income Boston residents. Clinic runs during the academic year and takes a limited number of cases. Apply by phone or online; bring photo ID, proof of income, and any court papers to the intake appointment. Closed during school breaks and summer.
617-573-8000 · 120 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108 · By appointment during academic year · Visit Website
Student-run legal services office at Harvard Law School providing free representation to low-income Greater Boston residents in family law (custody, divorce, paternity), housing, wage-and-hour, and benefits cases. Cases are handled by law students under faculty supervision during the academic year. Apply by phone or online; bring photo ID, proof of income, and any court papers or notices. Closed during school breaks.
617-495-4408 · 23 Everett St, Cambridge, MA 02138 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm during academic year · Visit Website
Law school clinic providing free legal assistance to low-income residents in areas including family law, immigration, civil rights, and housing. Cases are handled by BC Law students under faculty supervision during the academic year with limited summer availability. Apply by phone or online; bring photo ID, proof of income, and any court papers to the intake appointment. Priority given to cases with pending deadlines.
617-552-0648 · 885 Centre St, Newton, MA 02459 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm during academic year · Visit Website