Not everyone can afford the benefits of hiring an attorney or seek the advice of an attorney to determine their legal rights. Below is a list of community resources available to those in search of legal help but who are unable to afford it.
COVID-19 Update: Many of the resources listed below have modified how their assistance is provided. Please contact the individual agency listed below to determine how to access their services. For example, IVLP is offering pro bono telephone clinics in lieu of in person clinics.
- Court Assistance Office: Each county has a Court Assistance Office at the county courthouse. The Idaho Supreme Court has approved forms that pro-se individuals can use to file actions in court. They have forms specifically to help you file for a divorce or a custody modification along with instructions. For more information, please visit: https://courtselfhelp.idaho.gov/. For information on Court Assistance Office Workshops, please visit: https://isb.idaho.gov/ilf/ivlp/cao-ws/.
- Street Law Clinic – Ada County: The Street Law Clinic, is held on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at the Boise Public Library (Downtown Boise) from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Check-in begins at 3:45 p.m. Spots fill up pretty fast, so it is important to arrive as close to 4:00 p.m. as possible. For more information visit: https://www.itla.org/index.cfm?pg=StreetLawClinic.
- Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program (IVLP): IVLP is a program through the Idaho State Bar which can provide attorney representation if you qualify for pro-bono services. For more information, please visit: https://isb.idaho.gov/ilf/ivlp/. Idaho State Bar’s number is 208.334.4500.
- Legal Clinics – IVLP Community Legal Clinics: The Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Programs lists clinics and workshops available to help pro-se individuals with their legal issues through the state of Idaho. For more information visit: https://isb.idaho.gov/ilf/ivlp/ivlp-clinics-2/.
- Idaho Legal Aid: Idaho Legal Aid offers several advice lines that include Covid Assistance, Senior Legal Advice, Domestic Violence and housing. For more information, please visit: https://www.idaholegalaid.org/node/2170/contact-us and https://www.idaholegalaid.org/node/1067/covid-19-and-other-free-legal-advice-lines .
- Self-Rescue Manual: Several counties offer a list of community resources which can direct those in need to organizations that can help. For more information, please visit: https://selfrescuemanual.com/
- Parental power of Attorney: Idaho has created a form to allow parents to delegate their parental powers of attorney regarding their children for a short time. For more information, please visit: https://www.idaholegalaid.org/node/2580/parental-power-attorney-form-and-instructions-non-interactive-form
- Idaho Housing and Finance: For concerns regarding discrimination in housing please see the resources offered through Idaho Housing and Finance. For more information, please visit https://www.idahohousing.com/fair-housing/
- Intermountain Fair Housing Council: For concerns regarding discrimination in housing please see the resources offered through IFHC. For more information, please visit https://ifhcidaho.org/.
