Gulfcoast Legal Services, Inc. (GLS) provides free or low-cost legal services to low-income individuals, persons with disabilities, veterans, the homeless, victims of domestic violence and or human trafficking, and the elderly. Areas of legal services include assistance with housing, eviction, and foreclosure problems; family or domestic violence issues; immigration and human trafficking matters; and tax, SSI/disability, and consumer matters. GLS places special emphasis on helping the seniors (age 60+), families with school-age children, homeless persons, ex-offenders re-entering society, and LGBTQ+ individuals. GLS serves Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties.
Legal Assistance
Included in this list are organizations that provide free or low-cost legal services to victims of abuse and 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 who you can consult with to get advice. Please note that we list the organizations by the county where the office is located – however, many offices may likely serve multiple counties. We indicate the “counties served” whenever possible. You can click “View All” to look through the complete list of organizations.
Sarasota
Gulfcoast Legal Services, Inc. (Sarasota Office)
Legal Aid of Manasota, Inc. (Sarasota Office)
Legal Aid of Manasota provides legal assistance in certain civil cases. Domestic violence victims should call one of the phone numbers listed in order to see if they qualify. Cases include injunction hearings and divorces. They serve Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Seminole
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Inc. (Sanford Office)
Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Inc. (CLSMF) provides free legal services for low to moderate income individuals. Legal aid and advice services include: domestic violence, family law, children and education, housing, public benefits, elder advocacy, veterans, and tax controversy assistance. Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Inc. serves Seminole County.
Seminole County Bar Association Legal Aid Society
Seminole County Bar Association Legal Aid Society, Inc. provides free legal services in certain civil cases. These cases include representation in divorce, custody, protection of families from domestic violence. Services are available to Seminole County residents.
St. Johns
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (St. Augustine Office)
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) provides legal services including representation to eligible domestic violence victims. They represent clients based on lawyer availability. Jacksonville Area Legal Aid provides representation in cases including adoption, child support, custody, divorce, injunction for protection, immigration petitions for abused spouses and trafficking victims, guardianship, paternity and visitation. The St. Augustine office serves St. Johns County.
St. Lucie
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (Fort Pierce Office)
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. (FRLS) provides legal assistance, representation and education to low income clients. FRLS’s services include elder law, housing, labor and employment, education, family law services, civil rights, and family security/public benefits. Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc. serves Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie Counties.