Free Missouri Legal Advice - Online Chat

In Missouri, several nonprofit organizations provide free civil legal services to eligible low-income residents in particular areas of the state. These services cover areas such as family law, housing, consumer rights, public benefits, and elder law. To be eligible for services, applicants must not have an income higher than 125% of the federal poverty level.

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM)

• Website: www.lsem.org
• Hotline: 1-314-534-4200 (Mon, Wed, Thurs, 8:30am to 5pm)
• Legal Areas: Health and education justice, neighborhood advocacy, health insurance access, family law, public benefits, mental illness, immigration, housing, domestic violence, homelessness, youth, elder law, and consumer law.
• Free Advice: Residents of eastern Missouri with incomes at or below 125% of the federal poverty level (see table) are eligible to apply for assistance. Cases cannot be criminal matters or personal injury, bankruptcy, or traffic law cases.

Legal Services of Southern Missouri (LSSM)

• Website: www.lsosm.org
• Hotline: 1-800-444-4863 (Mon-Fri, 8:30am to 4:30pm)
• Legal Areas: Domestic/sexual violence, family law, consumer law, housing, public benefits, elder law, expungements, and community education/outreach.
• Free Advice: LSSM provides representation to low-income and elderly residents of southern Missouri in civil (non-criminal) matters. Applicant income must be at or below 125% of the federal poverty level (see table).

Mid-Missouri Legal Services (Central Missouri)

• Website: www.mmls.org
• Hotline: 1-800-568-4931 (Mon-Fri, 9am to 2:30pm)
• Legal Areas: Divorce, paternity/custody issues, orders of protection, unemployment compensation, temporary assistance, public benefits, Medicaid, education, healthcare access, consumer law, bankruptcy, utility termination, landlord-tenant issues, nursing home discharge, powers of attorney, estate planning, and expungement.
• Free Advice: Free legal services, including advice and extended representation, are available to low-income central Missourians. Applicants must have an income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level (see table).

Legal Aid of Western Missouri (LAWMO)

• Website: www.lawmo.org
• Hotline: No central hotline; contact the local office for your county (Mon-Fri, 8:30am to 5pm)
• Legal Areas: Consumer law, domestic violence protection, economic development, guardianships, healthcare access, housing law, immigration law, taxes, mental healthcare access, municipal court defense, public benefits, and veterans issues.
• Free Advice: Low-income residents of 40 counties in western Missouri are able to apply for free legal assistance. Income eligibility thresholds are set at 125% of the federal poverty level (see table).