FIND LEGAL HELP
Know when and where to look for qualified legal help.
The Legal Checklist can help you prepare, but it cannot evaluate your case or give legal advice. Use trusted public resources to locate licensed attorneys, legal-aid programs, and lawyer-referral information.
Start with trusted legal-help directories
USA.gov — Find a Lawyer and Affordable Legal Aid
Government guidance on free and low-cost legal help, legal-aid organizations, and lawyer resources.
American Bar Association — Find Legal Help
Public information about finding lawyers, referral resources, and legal assistance.
Before contacting a lawyer, you may also want to use our legal checklists to organize documents and our resource center to build a timeline and question list.
Prepare before your consultation
Organize your timeline
Write down the key events in chronological order.
Gather your records
Collect contracts, correspondence, photos, receipts, medical records, or other relevant documents.
List your questions
Identify what you do not understand and what decisions you need help making.