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Smith County Bar Association

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LEGAL RESOURCES

Without the advice and help of an attorney, you may be putting yourself, your children, property and money at risk. Do-it-yourself resources should NOT be considered legal advice or a substitute for legal representation by an attorney. It is recommended that you have an attorney to represent your interests in family law matters especially if domestic violence, child custody or large amounts of property are involved. DIY Forms will not adequately address division of property including real estate, retirement and/or employee benefits, stocks, bonds, mutual fund, or life insurance with a cash surrender value.

 

Many people avoid attorneys fearing that they are too expensive. Fees vary from firm to firm so do not give up hiring an attorney without contacting several offices.


Find a Lawyer

The State Bar of Texas website includes a “Find a Lawyer” link. You may search for lawyers by geographical area, board certification, practice area and/or by name. Local attorneys are enrolled in a State Bar of Texas referral service to provide a 30-minute consultation appointment for a fee of $20.00. Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

1-800-252-9690

Find A Lawyer

Texas Law Help
Self-Represented or
Do-it Yourself Resources



Texas Law Help

Texas Law Help - Veterans & Military

Family/Domestic Violence
& Sexual Assault Victims


Texas Advocacy Project offers three separate legal hotlines for victims of family or domestic violence, victims of sexual assault, and for related family law issues. They provide assistance with civil legal questions related to domestic violence, protective orders, divorce, child custody, powers of attorney, guardianship, and related matters. There are three separate phone numbers to call depending on your question — click below for more information.
Texas Advocacy Project

Texas Legal Services Center

Founded in 1981, Texas Legal Services Center is a nonprofit organization that provides legal advice, advocacy, representation, and education to underserved people across the state. With more than a dozen practice areas, our work touches almost every aspect of civil law that impacts low-income Texans.

512.477.6000
Texas Legal Services Center


Pro Bono or
Free Legal Services

Lone Star Legal Aid provides free civil legal representation to qualified low-income litigants in East Texas. You must qualify through the local Tyler office first. If you qualify, but they cannot help you due to limited staff, then call: 1-800-354-1889 ext. 1529 This office can add your case to a list where they can request assistance for you by a local attorney. There is no guarantee that a lawyer will take your case as this is on a volunteer basis.

LegalLine - English

LegalLine - Spanish

903help.org

903help.org is an online website that provides information about local resources for Smith County and Cherokee county residents. Information on this site includes resources for issues regarding abuse & neglect, community events, crisis hotlines, food & utilities, legal matters, housing, mental health and much more.

903help.org

Veteran’s Legal
Assistance Project
The Texas Legal Services Center offers a free legal hotline for low-income Texas veterans and their families (with a focus on outreach to the disabled veterans who live in rural areas of the state). They provide assistance with civil legal questions. The phone number to call is

1(800) 622-2520, option 2.
Texas Legal Services Center

The Texas Lawyers for Texas Veterans program from the State Bar of Texas may also be able to connect veterans with free or low-cost legal assistance.

Texas Lawyers for Texas Vet

Sexual Assault Legal
Services & Assistance

The
Texas Legal Services Center and the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault provide a free and confidential legal hotline for victims of sexual assault. The hotline is available on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.


1-888-343-4414
Texas Legal Services Center
Texas Association Against Sexual Assault

Smith County Law Library

The Smith County Law Library
is open to attorneys, judges and the general public at no cost. County law libraries in Texas make legal research materials available to the public. Because it is a research library, books and materials may not be taken out of the library. The Law Library pays particular attention to the area of Texas law and documents. We also have U.S. statutes and cases; however, we do not have state law from other states. Computers are available with access to the internet to search other legal sites.

903-590-1750
Smith County Law Library


Free and Low-Cost
General Assistance


Can't Afford A Lawyer?

Texas State Law Library

Free Legal Answers
This website allows you to ask a lawyer a legal question in writing. You will receive an email when an attorney has answered your question. Only those who meet certain criteria qualify for this service. Run by the American Bar Association.


Free Legal Answers

Texas Access to Justice
Increasing access to justice for low-income Texans.

800-504-7030

Texas Access to Justice
Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner

The Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner answers questions and assists Texas consumers in resolving issues against regulated companies in Texas concerning pawn transactions, secondary mortgage and home equity loans, motor vehicle sales financing, and property tax loans. We also oversee businesses that offer payday and auto title loans, debt management and debt settlement providers, crafted precious metal dealers, and registered creditors. We protect consumers and assist creditors in resolving complaints and disputes.


800-538-1579

Consumer Assistance Helpline