Contacting the HelpLine
Before You Call | What to Expect | Get the Most From Your Call | What if I do not live in Arkansas
Financial Eligibility Guidelines
If you need help with a legal problem, have a question you think a lawyer should answer, or have been sued and don't know where to turn, CALL HELPLINE!
Toll Free: 1-800-9 LAW AID
(1-800-952-9243)
Craighead County Residents call: (870) 972-6411
Pulaski County Residents call: (501) 376-3423
Washington County Residents call: (479) 442-4204
HOURS OF OPERATION BY COUNTY:
Monday-Friday
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Calhoun, Chicot, Clark, Cleveland, Columbia, Conway, Crawford, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Franklin, Garland, Grant, Hempstead, Hot Spring, Howard, Jefferson, Johnson, Lafayette, Lincoln, Little River, Logan, Lonoke, Miller, Montgomery, Nevada, Ouachita, Perry, Pike, Polk, Pope, Prairie, Pulaski, Saline, Scott, Sebastian, Sevier, Union, White, Yell
Monday-Thursday
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
also Tuesday 5:15 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Cleburne, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Lee, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Monroe, Newton, Phillips, Poinsett, Randolph, St. Francis, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, Washington, Woodruff
Is your problem a civil legal problem? The HELPLINE cannot help with criminal problems, including traffic tickets. Below you will find examples of civil legal problems. If you are unsure, call anyway.
Don’t wait to call. Many legal problems are made worse when people delay getting help.
Get your documents and facts together before you call. HELPLINE professionals will be able to give you better advice if they have specific and accurate information.
Make the call yourself. HELPLINE professionals cannot talk to anyone other than you about your problem.
Examples of common civil legal problems:
Guardianships; Powers of Attorney; Wills; Orders of Protection; Domestic Abuse; Landlord/Tenant disputes; Contract disputes; Debt relief; Consumer matters; Disability rights; Employment rights; Problems with public benefits, including Medicaid, Food Stamps, TEA, Medicare, SSI, child care, and subsidized housing; End of life instructions; Garnishments and Evictions.
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HELPLINE professionals will try to take your call right away. If all HELPLINE professionals are busy, someone will call you back. Please have a call back number ready when you call.
You will be asked about your income and assets. HELPLINE can only help people with income and assets within certain guidelines.
Next your HELPLINE professional will ask you to describe your problem or question in detail. He or she may ask you questions to gain a better understanding of your situation.
Your HELPLINE professional will decide how best to assist you. Depending on your unique situation, here’s what you might expect:
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Legal advice over the telephone
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More detailed information sent to you by mail
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Brief service (e.g., filing a form)
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Referral to a staff or volunteer attorney for legal representation.
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Referrals to other services
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Call when you won’t be distracted. You will get the most out of the call if the TV is turned off and the children are safely somewhere else so you can focus.
Allow enough time. Your HELPLINE professional will give you as much time as your problem requires.
Avoid calling from a cell phone, if possible. If you are cut off, you may have to answer the same questions again.
Have your documents in front of you. Your HELPLINE professional cannot give you sound advice without complete, accurate information.
Have a pen and paper handy when you call. Your HELPLINE professional may give you instructions over the telephone.
Ask questions and repeat instructions. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and repeat instructions so you will know what to do later.
Follow instructions. Your HELPLINE professional may explain how to do something. If you don’t follow the instructions as given, it isn’t likely that you will get the outcome you desire.
You may not get the outcome you want. Sometimes, your HELPLINE professional will tell you there is no legal remedy to your problem or your case is too weak to proceed. Please be understanding and respectful.
Legal Services Corporation has provided funding to 54 states and territories to develop statewide websites. It is likely that there is a free civil legal services provider in your area. If you have a legal problem in Arkansas, but you are not a resident then you will need to apply in the state where you reside and be referred to our office. The following provides information about the referral process for interstate legal services help:
How do I apply?
First, you must apply to your local LSC-funded program:
To find your local legal aid program at the link below:
http://www.lawhelp.org/ OR http://www.lsc.gov/map/index.php
Next, if you meet eligibility guidelines, then you local legal services provider can refer your case to an Arkansas Legal Services Partnership program: Legal Aid of Arkansas or Center for Arkansas Legal Services
