If You Need Legal Help

Find Out if You Are Eligible for Free Legal Services

Start with the Legal Resource Finder

The Legal Resource Finder (LRF) will help you find out if VLP or some other legal aid program might be able to help you with your legal problem. It will also give you links to information that will help you to learn more about your legal issue. The LRF only includes information about civil - not criminal - issues. Click here for the Legal Resource Finder. If you do not want to use the Legal Resource Finder, you can contact the Eastern Region Legal Intake (ERLI) Helpline at 617-603-1700. 

If You are Under 60, Call VLP's ERLI (Eastern Region Legal Intake) Helpline

To reach ERLI, call: 617- 603-1700 or 1-800-342-LAWS (5297). 

The ERLI helpline is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.You may need to wait to speak to a paralegal or lawyer when you call ERLI. Please be patient.
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 office. 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.

If you are 60 or older call ERLI's Elder Helpline at 1-800-342-5297 

We provide free legal information and referral services to Massachusetts residents who are 60 years old or older. There is no income limit for the Elder Helpline. 
Your Helpline advocate will research your legal issue and provide you with information or referrals on most legal topics. We can also text, e-mail, or mail you links or written materials.

The Elder Helpline is open Monday through Friday 9AM-12PM.

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Eligibility for VLP Services

Whether VLP can help you depends on a few things:

  • where you live (the cities and towns VLP serves are listed below),

  • your household's income and assets (unless you are 60 years of age or older),

  • the type of legal problem you have, and

  • whether you are a United States citizen or have a green card or other legal immigration status. Because of its funding, VLP can only represent US Citizens and certain legal immigrants. If you do not qualify for VLP services, we will refer you to other places that may be able to help. 

Your conversation with ERLI is private and confidential even if you do not qualify for free legal services. If you do not qualify for VLP's services, ERLI may refer you to other legal aid offices or private attorney referral services or they may give you advice or information about your legal problem.

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Cities and Towns VLP Serves

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.

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Types of Cases VLP Handles

  • Landlord/Tenant
  • Family Law
  • Guardianship
  • Probate (Wills & Estates)
  • Bankruptcy
  • Unemployment Insurance
  • Consumer Debt
  • Employment Wage and Hour Violations
  • Homeownership
  • Foreclosure Prevention

VLP does not handle criminal cases or represent prisoners on any matter whether related to their incarceration or not. VLP does not handle personal injury cases. If you do not have a kind of case that VLP handles, ERLI may be able give you information or advice, or refer you to an organization that handles that kind of case. 

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