NEED LEGAL HELP?

Get Help

Volunteer Lawyers Project represents the people of Greater Boston. Our work is possible thanks to our staff and strong team of volunteers. We stand ready to provide you with legal help. To find out if you qualify, read through the information below.

Questions about Covid-19?

Browse our FAQ’s and resources specific to the pandemic at our Coronavirus Support page.

Apply Online for Legal Assistance with appeals

Apply Online for Legal Assistance with All other matters

Call for Legal Assistance

We represent US citizens, green card holders, and certain other immigrants. Specific rules do apply, and our legal help may be limited due to funding requirements. Even if you do not qualify for our services, we do our best to offer referrals. All information shared with VLP is private and confidential, regardless if you are eligible for our assistance.

To find out if you qualify for our services, call:

ERLI (Eastern Region Legal Intake) Helpline.

617- 603-1700 or 1-800-342-LAWS (5297)

Our call center’s hours during the pandemic are:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9AM-12PM
Tuesday & Thursday: 12:30PM-3:30PM

When you call ERLI, you may need to wait to speak to a Legal Advocate. Please be patient as we assist many people. Whatever you tell ERLI is private and confidential. An ERLI staff person will ask you some questions to find out if you qualify for legal services from VLP or another organization. ERLI may be able to give you information or advice about your legal problem. Some callers are scheduled for 30-minute telephone legal advice sessions with experienced pro bono attorneys.

Questions to Get You Started

What town do you live in?

Volunteer Lawyers Project serves residents in Greater Boston. If you live in one of these towns, we may be able to help:

Acton, Arlington, Ashland, Bedford, Bellingham, Belmont, Boston, Braintree, Brookline, Cambridge, Canton, Carlisle, Chelsea, Cohasset, Concord, Dedham. Dover, Everett, Foxborough, Framingham, Franklin, Hingham, Holbrook, Holliston, Hopkinton, Hudson, Hull, Lexington, Lincoln, Malden, Marlborough, Maynard, Medfield, Medford, Medway, Melrose, Millis, Milton, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norfolk, Norwell, Norwood, Plainville, Quincy, Randolph, Revere, Scituate, Sharon, Sherborn, Somerville, Stoneham, Stow, Sudbury, Wakefield, Walpole, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston, Westwood, Weymouth, Winchester, Winthrop, Woburn, Wollaston, Wrentham.

What is your household income?

VLP helps lower income families from the Greater Boston Area. To find out if you qualify, please call our ERLI helpline at 617.603.1700

What type of legal problem do you have?

We provide legal help, information, or advice in the following areas:

Civil Appeals

If you think the decision made at court was wrong or unfair? We may be able to help you appeal the decision.

Please call the Eastern Region Legal Intake helpline and ask to be screened for the Civil Appeals Clinic. Or apply for assistance online here.

Click here for more information about the Civil Appeals Clinic, and for information on how to start an appeal, you can visit the Appeals Court Help Center here.

Consumer / Bankruptcy

Being harrassed or sued by debt collectors
Debt relief
Utilities being shut off
Bankruptcy (Chapters 7 & 13)
ID Theft
Legal issues with taxes

Employment

Wage theft and hour work violations
Unpaid wages
Denial of lawful benefits
Unemployment insurance
Nonpayment of overtime
Misclassification of independent contractor

Family Law and Guardianship

Guardianship over disabled adult child over 18
Family members seeking guardianship of minor children whose parents are unavailable
Modifications of child support and child custody
Child support
Child custody
Paternity
Divorce
Court cases for restraining orders in an abusive relationship

Housing

Tenants and families facing eviction
Filing a complaint against a landlord for bad living conditions
Low-income landlords with problem tenants
Homeownership preservation
Post-foreclosure eviction

Probate

Wills
Healthcare proxies
Powers of attorney

Other Resources

If we can’t help you, maybe some of these resources can. Below we have provided emergency hotlines, additional legal help, basic legal information that is available to the public, and trusted links.