Is free legal advice ever truly free? There is a reason behind most free attorney consultations. You may think you are getting advice specific to your case, when in fact you are simply being provided with general procedural information. The purpose of these free initial consultations is for attorneys to find clients, not to simply hand out free legal advice.
The most important thing to understand is the difference between legal advice and legal information. Legal advice includes a fairly sophisticated assessment of your particular facts, along with various ways that case law might apply to your situation. Attorneys who practice law are allowed to provide such advice based upon their training, their ability to identify relevant issues, and to negotiate through the ramifications of laws and similar cases. Most free legal information, however, is just general information, and requires someone do their own research before coming to any conclusions about their specific case.
Of course, if you are interested in reading your own state laws and following case law, you may be able to figure some things out for free yourself, based upon your own resourcefulness. However, most people find it too difficult sorting through all the twists and turns that statutes and ordinances and laws present. So, it is usually at this point that they reach out for help.
Many websites offer all kinds of free legal information. However, it’s wise to be cautious here. Try to limit online searches to your specific state and county. Family law courts often have general information available, either at the courthouse or online to help you understand your options and where to begin. This is a good place to start to get information specific to your case.
There are also Legal Aid offices in many states, tasked with providing specific kinds of free services based upon grant funds. Call up one of these and find out if you qualify for assistance.
State bar associations often expect licensed attorneys to provide some quota of pro bono (free) services to people who are either low-income or in situations of significant need. Many of these programs deal with issues like domestic violence and discrimination, or legal access for people with disabilities. Your state’s bar association may be able to advise you.
