How We Can Help

We will ask you to answer some questions to see if you are eligible to speak with one of our lawyers. This is called the “intake” process.

For example, we will ask you questions about:

• personal information such as address, telephone number, date of birth, Social Security number and how many people are in your household
• the problem or issue you are calling about
• your income and assets to determine if we can help you

All information you give us is protected by attorney/client privilege and will not be shared without your permission.

Our staff will decide how best to help you.

Depending on your situation and if you qualify for help, you may:

• get legal advice over the telephone
• get information sent to you by mail or email
• get limited legal research
• be represented by one of our lawyers or a volunteer lawyer
• be directed to information to help you represent yourself in court
• be referred to a private lawyer for advice or representation
• be referred to other agencies that can help you

Vermont Legal Aid, Legal Services Vermont and other civil legal services organizations help people with “civil legal matters.” Civil legal matters are lawsuits and other legal issues that are not about crimes.

For example, civil legal matters include most landlord/tenant and family court issues, bankruptcy, credit cards, unlawful discrimination, Reach Up and SSI benefits cases and similar issues.

On the other hand, Public Defenders and other legal services organizations represent people in criminal cases – when the government has accused a person of committing a crime.

Please note: We can’t help you with traffic violations. We can’t help you with most personal injury cases and real estate law. We also can’t defend you in a criminal case. (However, we can help if you need legal help due to being a victim of crime.)

Are you a victim of crime?

If you have a legal problem due to being a victim of crime or abuse, visit our Legal Help for Victims of Crime page to see how we can help.

We hope this website will help you understand the law better. The information you find here is no substitute for meeting with a lawyer or paralegal, if you can, when you have a legal problem. We may be able to help some people find a lawyer who may work for free or low cost.

This website was created by and is maintained by Legal Services Vermont and Vermont Legal Aid. Legal Services Vermont and Vermont Legal Aid are nonprofit legal services law firms. The website is supported in part by a grant from the Legal Services Corporation.

Please use our feedback form to tell us how we can make our website better.

Legal clinics by phone for Vermont seniors 60+

Sometimes Vermont Legal Aid hosts virtual legal advice clinics by phone. Vermont seniors — age 60 or more — can ask legal questions about any civil legal question. See our Seniors page for announcements about upcoming clinics.

Chittenden County small claims clinic

An opportunity to speak with a lawyer about small claims court and to discuss your case. Not open to people representing businesses in collection cases. The lawyer does not provide legal advice or represent you in your case. Clinic is held online via Zoom on the first Tuesday of each month from 2 - 4 p.m. except for holidays. Email Edward D. Fitzpatrick, Esq. at efitzpatrick@bpflegal.com to ask for a Zoom invitation. If you are new to Zoom, mention that in your email and provide your phone number.

Immigration

For help with immigration issues in Vermont, contact:

• Vermont Asylum Assistance Project at 802-999-5654 and info@vaapvt.org.
• Association of Africans Living in Vermont at 802-985-3106 and info@aalv-vt.org.
• The Center for Justice Reform at Vermont Law and Graduate School at 802-540-0398 and CJRClinic@vermontlaw.edu. (Note: This organization cannot handle new cases at this time. They will reopen in September 2024.)

Legal clinics in Newport and St. Johnsbury

Vermont Legal Aid lawyers take part in monthly legal clinics in Newport and St. Johnsbury. Learn more and make an appointment.

Vermont Veterans

Vermont Veterans facing eviction or foreclosure can contact the South Royalton Legal Clinic at VLGS for advice and help.

Disability Rights

Disability Rights Vermont works to defend and advance the rights of people with disabilities and mental health issues. Call them at 1-800-834-7890.

ACLU

ACLU of Vermont works to protect the constitutional rights of all Vermonters. Call them at 802-223-6304.

Other clinics and projects in Vermont

You can view a list of other legal clinics and projects around Vermont at the bottom of this page on the Vermont Bar Association (VBA) website.

Help from other Vermont lawyers:

• Ask legal questions through Vermont’s Free Legal Answers program
• Vermont Bar Association lawyer referral
• Vermont Association for Justice lawyer referral
• Criminal Public Defenders

The Vermont Judiciary Access and Resource Center is run by the Vermont courts. Their services are free and they serve the whole state. They do not give legal advice. See what they can help with, below.

Contact

Email: selfhelp@vtcourts.gov

Call:  802-879-1185

Visit:  Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Costello Courthouse, Ground Floor
32 Cherry Street, Burlington
It’s down the street from the main bus terminal, called Burlington Downtown Transit Center on the map.

Services

• information about court processes
• help with court forms
• information about how to get the help of a lawyer
• public computers for court-related use
• workstation to attend a remote hearing

Case types

• divorce
• eviction
• expungement of criminal records
• guardianship
• name change
• parentage
• relief from abuse
• small claims
• stalking
• traffic matters
• other court issues