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Included in this list are organizations that provide free or low-cost legal services to victims and survivors of abuse, as well as to others who qualify. Even if the organization does not have a lawyer available to represent you in court, you may want to ask if there is a lawyer with whom you can consult to obtain advice. We list the organizations by the county where the office is located, but many offices serve multiple counties. We indicate the “counties served” whenever possible. You can click “View All” to look through the complete list of organizations.
Please note: WomensLaw does not have a relationship with or promote the organizations listed on these pages. Because we include thousands of resources, we cannot review them regularly or vouch for the information or services they provide. We share these resources to help all victims and survivors of abuse find essential direct services and support their needs and safety concerns.
Massachusetts Free Legal Answers
URL: https://mass.freelegalanswers.org/ The Massachusetts Free Legal Answers website allows eligible residents to ask questions on civil legal matters and receive an answer from a volunteer attorney. In order to ask a legal question, you must meet certain requirements and create an account. The website also offers links to other legal assistance resources. It is a project of the American Bar Association.
Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder
URL: https://masslrf.org/en/home Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder is a website that provides legal information and can match you to legal aid programs and lawyer referral services in your area. The programs listed in their directory offer free or low-cost legal services within the state.
Barnstable
South Coastal Counties Legal Services (SCCLS) - Hyannis Office
460 West Main StreetHyannis, MA 02601
Phone: (508) 775-7020
Phone 2: (800) 244-9023 (intake)
URL: https://sccls.org/
SCCLS provides free legal help in priority civil matters to low-income and older residents of Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands. They can assist in the areas of housing, public benefits, family law, immigration, employment, elder law, education, consumer debt, and crime victims. Apply for help by calling the intake line or completing the online form. Victims of crime who have a legal need related to the crime, can call their Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime (CLAVC) intake line at (774) 488-5958. SCCLS serves Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth counties, and the towns of Avon and Stoughton in Norfolk County.
WE CAN
127 Airport RoadHyannis, MA 02631
URL: https://www.wecancenter.org/
Email: [email protected]
Offers free legal services to low and moderate-income women in Cape Cod. Attorneys offer 30-minute sessions and specialize in the following areas: family law (divorce, child custody/support), grandparents’ rights, wills and estates, immigration, landlord-tenant issues, elder law, bankruptcy, and real estate.
WE CAN
783 Route 28Harwich Port, MA 02646
Phone: (508) 430-8111
URL: https://www.wecancenter.org/
Email: [email protected]
Offers free legal services to low and moderate-income women in Cape Cod. Attorneys offer 30-minute sessions and specialize in the following areas: family law (divorce, child custody/support), grandparents’ rights, wills and estates, immigration, landlord-tenant issues, elder law, bankruptcy, and real estate.
Berkshire
Community Legal Aid (CLA) – North Adams Satellite Office
33 Main StreetNorth Adams, MA 01247
Phone: (855) 252-5342
URL: https://communitylegal.org/
CLA provides free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA’s practice areas include: family law, domestic violence, elder law, housing, re-entry, education, government benefits, and veteran services. The family law unit can help with restraining orders, divorce, paternity, custody, child support, health insurance, and name change petitions.
Community Legal Aid (CLA) – Pittsfield Office
152 North Street, Suite E155Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: (855) 252-5342
URL: https://communitylegal.org/
CLA provides free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA’s practice areas include: family law, domestic violence, elder law, housing, re-entry, education, government benefits, and veteran services. The family law unit can help with restraining orders, divorce, paternity, custody, child support, health insurance, and name change petitions.
Bristol
South Coastal Counties Legal Services (SCCLS) - Fall River Office
22 Bedford StreetFall River, MA 02720
Phone: (508) 676-6265
Phone 2: (800) 244-9023 (intake)
URL: https://sccls.org/
SCCLS provides free legal help in priority civil matters to low-income and older residents of Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands. They can assist in the areas of housing, public benefits, family law, immigration, employment, elder law, education, consumer debt, and crime victims. Apply for ohelp by calling the intake line or completing the online form. Victims of crime who have a legal need related to the crime, can call their Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime (CLAVC) intake line at (774) 488-5958. SCCLS serves Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth counties, and the towns of Avon and Stoughton in Norfolk County.
South Coastal Counties Legal Services (SCCLS) - New Bedford Office
21 South Sixth StreetNew Bedford, MA 02740
Phone: (508) 979-7150
Phone 2: (800) 244-9023 (intake)
URL: https://sccls.org/
SCCLS provides free legal help in priority civil matters to low-income and older residents of Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands. They can assist in the areas of housing, public benefits, family law, immigration, employment, elder law, education, consumer debt, and crime victims. Apply for ohelp by calling the intake line or completing the online form. Victims of crime who have a legal need related to the crime, can call their Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime (CLAVC) intake line at (774) 488-5958. SCCLS serves Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth counties, and the towns of Avon and Stoughton in Norfolk County.
Essex
Northeast Legal Aid - Lawrence Office
50 Island Street, Suite 203ALawrence, MA 01840
Phone: (978) 458-1465 (intake)
Fax: (978) 685-2933
URL: https://www.northeastlegalaid.org/
NLA offers free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of Essex County and Northern Middlesex County. There is no income requirement for survivors of domestic violence and victims of crime who need help with a legal problem related to their victimization. Legal assistance for domestic violence victims includes representation in restraining orders, divorce, paternity, custody, child support, and other family law cases. Staff speak English, Spanish, Khmer, and other languages. Request services by calling the intake line, visiting an NLA office, or completing the online form in English or Spanish.
Northeast Legal Aid - Lynn Office
181 Union Street, Suite 201ALynn, MA 01901
Phone: (978) 458-1465 (intake)
Fax: (781) 595-2022
URL: https://www.northeastlegalaid.org/
NLA offers free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of Essex County and Northern Middlesex County. There is no income requirement for survivors of domestic violence and victims of crime who need help with a legal problem related to their victimization. Legal assistance for domestic violence victims includes representation in restraining orders, divorce, paternity, custody, child support, and other family law cases. Staff speak English, Spanish, Khmer, and other languages. Request services by calling the intake line, visiting an NLA office, or completing the online form in English or Spanish.
Northeast Legal Aid – Haverville Outreach Office
10 Welcome StreetHaverville, MA 01830
Phone: (978) 458-1465 (intake)
URL: https://www.northeastlegalaid.org/
NLA offers free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of Essex County and Northern Middlesex County. There is no income requirement for survivors of domestic violence and victims of crime who need help with a legal problem related to their victimization. Legal assistance for domestic violence victims includes representation in restraining orders, divorce, paternity, custody, child support, and other family law cases. Staff speak English, Spanish, Khmer, and other languages. Request services by calling the intake line, visiting an NLA office, or completing the online form in English or Spanish.
Franklin
Community Legal Aid (CLA) – Greenfield Office
14 Hope Street, Suite 104Greenfield, MA 01301
Phone: (855) 252-5342
URL: https://communitylegal.org/
CLA provides free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA’s practice areas include: family law, domestic violence, elder law, housing, re-entry, education, government benefits, and veteran services. The family law unit can help with restraining orders, divorce, paternity, custody, child support, health insurance, and name change petitions.
Hampden
Community Legal Aid (CLA) – Holyoke Satellite Office
Holyoke Health Center230 Maple Street, Room B13
Holyoke, MA 01040
Phone: (855) 252-5342
URL: https://communitylegal.org/
CLA provides free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA’s practice areas include: family law, domestic violence, elder law, housing, re-entry, education, government benefits, and veteran services. The family law unit can help with restraining orders, divorce, paternity, custody, child support, health insurance, and name change petitions.
Community Legal Aid (CLA) – Springfield Office
One Monarch Place, Suite 400Springfield, MA 01144
Phone: (855) 252-5342
URL: https://communitylegal.org/
CLA provides free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA’s practice areas include: family law, domestic violence, elder law, housing, re-entry, education, government benefits, and veteran services. The family law unit can help with restraining orders, divorce, paternity, custody, child support, health insurance, and name change petitions.
Hampden County Legal Clinic (HCLC)
P.O. Box 559Springfield, MA 01102
Phone: (413) 733-6500
URL: https://www.hcbarlegalclinic.org/
Email: [email protected]
At HCLC’s legal clinic programs, volunteer lawyers provide brief legal advice on specific topics. The clinic topics include family law, housing, small claims, and more. Apply online for their legal clinic programs. Does not provide free representation.
Hampshire
Community Legal Aid (CLA) – Northampton Office
20 Hampton Avenue, Suite 100Northampton, MA 01060
Phone: (855) 252-5342
URL: https://communitylegal.org/
CLA provides free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA’s practice areas include: family law, domestic violence, elder law, housing, re-entry, education, government benefits, and veteran services. The family law unit can help with restraining orders, divorce, paternity, custody, child support, health insurance, and name change petitions.
Middlesex
Boston College Legal Services LAB
Center for Experiential Learning855 Centre Street, 3rd Floor, Stuart Building
Newton, MA 02459
Phone: (617) 552-0248
URL: http://bclawlab.org/
Email: [email protected]
Boston College Legal Services LAB is a law firm within Boston College Law. Most of their legal clinics receive clients from community partners and courts. Clinics that accept request for help from the public are housing justice, community enterprise, and entrepreneurship and innovation.
De Novo
47 Thorndike Street, Suite SB-LL-1Cambridge, MA 02141
Phone: (617) 661-1010
Fax: (617) 661-1011
URL: https://www.denovo.org/
Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income people living in Greater Boston, and to immigrants and asylum seekers statewide. Their service areas are housing, family law/domestic violence, immigration law, and disability benefits. Legal services are free to victims of crime regardless of their income.
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) – Cambridge/Somerville Office
60 Gore Street, Suite 203Cambridge, MA 02141
Phone: (617) 371-1234 (intake)
Phone 2: (617) 603-2700
URL: https://www.gbls.org/
GBLS provides free legal assistance and representation on civil matters to low-income residents of Boston and 47 surrounding cities and towns, regardless of immigration status. Areas of legal issues include: abuse prevention orders, family law, immigration, victims of crime, public benefits, healthcare, education, and more. Service to victims of crimes are available without income restrictions. To apply for help, call their intake line. Intake workers speak Cantonese, English, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish.
MetroWest Legal Services
63 Fountain Street, Suite 304Framingham, MA 01702
Phone: (508) 620-1830
Phone 2: (800) 696-1501
URL: https://mwlegal.org/
Offers free civil legal aid to low income, elderly, disabled people, and victims of crime in their service area. The types of cases they handle include domestic violence, family law, housing, public benefits, elder law, education, immigration assistance for victims of abuse, and advocacy for victims of crime. Apply for help by completing their online application form.
Northeast Legal Aid - Lowell Office
35 John Street, Suite 302Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: (978) 458-1465 (intake)
Fax: (978) 458-1465 (intake)
URL: https://www.northeastlegalaid.org/
NLA offers free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of Essex County and Northern Middlesex County. There is no income requirement for survivors of domestic violence and victims of crime who need help with a legal problem related to their victimization. Legal assistance for domestic violence victims includes representation in restraining orders, divorce, paternity, custody, child support, and other family law cases. Staff speak English, Spanish, Khmer, and other languages. Request services by calling the intake line, visiting an NLA office, or completing the online form in English or Spanish.
Plymouth
South Coastal Counties Legal Services (SCCLS) - Brockton Office
62 Main Street, Suite 202Brockton, MA 02301
Phone: (508) 484-5050
Phone 2: (800) 244-9023 (intake)
URL: https://sccls.org/
SCCLS provides free legal help in priority civil matters to low-income and older residents of Southeastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, and the Islands. They can assist in the areas of housing, public benefits, family law, immigration, employment, elder law, education, consumer debt, and crime victims. Apply for ohelp by calling the intake line or completing the online form. Victims of crime who have a legal need related to the crime, can call their Civil Legal Aid for Victims of Crime (CLAVC) intake line at (774) 488-5958. SCCLS serves Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth counties, and the towns of Avon and Stoughton in Norfolk County.
Suffolk
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) - Main Office
197 Friend StreetBoston, MA 02114
Phone: (617) 371-1234 (intake)
Phone 2: (800) 323-3205
URL: https://www.gbls.org/
GBLS provides free legal assistance and representation on civil matters to low-income residents of Boston and 47 surrounding cities and towns, regardless of immigration status. Areas of legal issues include: abuse prevention orders, family law, immigration, victims of crime, public benefits, healthcare, education, and more. Service to victims of crimes are available without income restrictions. To apply for help, call their intake line. Intake workers speak Cantonese, English, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP)
99 Chauncy Street, Suite 400Boston, MA 02111
Hotline: (617) 603-1700
Phone: (617) 423-0648
URL: https://vlpnet.org/
Email: [email protected]
Provides legal assistance to low-income individuals in the greater Boston area. Areas of service include: family law (custody, paternity, divorce, child support), restraining orders, housing, bankruptcy, and more. To request services, call their office or complete the online form.
WilmerHale Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School
122 Boylston StreetJamaica Plain, MA 02130
Phone: (617) 384-0701
Fax: (617) 522-0715
URL: http://legalservicescenter.org/about-the-legal-services-center/our-clinics/
The Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School provides legal assistance to low-income individuals and families in greater Boston. The Center’s legal advocacy is organized into the following practice areas: family law and domestic violence, income tax, housing, LGBTQ+ advocacy, disability, financial problems, and veterans’ issues.
Worcester
Community Legal Aid (CLA) - Worcester Office
370 Main Street, Suite 300Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: (855) 252-5342
URL: https://communitylegal.org/
CLA provides free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA’s practice areas include: family law, domestic violence, elder law, housing, re-entry, education, government benefits, and veteran services. The family law unit can help with restraining orders, divorce, paternity, custody, child support, health insurance, and name change petitions.
Community Legal Aid (CLA) – Fitchburg Office
515 Main Street, 3rd FloorFitchburg, MA 01420
Phone: (855) 252-5342
URL: https://communitylegal.org/
CLA provides free civil legal services to low-income and elderly residents of central and western Massachusetts. CLA’s practice areas include: family law, domestic violence, elder law, housing, re-entry, education, government benefits, and veteran services. The family law unit can help with restraining orders, divorce, paternity, custody, child support, health insurance, and name change petitions.
