I Need Legal Help - What Should I Do?
When you need legal help, understanding your choices and the impact they can have is important. The best thing is to get a legal diagnosis from an attorney. Just like a medical diagnosis when you're sick or hurt, a legal diagnosis evaluates the situation and helps you determine your next step and possible solutions.
Here are some examples of when to seek an attorney's assistance:
Before signing written contracts with major financial provisions or consequences
- Before starting or buying a business
- Tax problems or questions
- Making a will or planning an estate
- Involvement in accidents where there is personal injury or property damage
- Being arrested or charged with a crime
- Being sued by someone, or wanting to sue someone
- Changes in family status - marriage, adoption, divorce or guardianship
Trying to solve your legal problems without a proper diagnosis can be a waste of time, effort and money. You need specific legal analysis for your unique situation. In some cases, the wrong decision may cost you your legal rights.
How do I get a legal diagnosis?
There are many ways to find a competent and affordable attorney in Arizona to assist you with your legal matters.
Get recommendations from friends and family members who have had a positive experience with an attorney.
- A list of Certified Legal Specialists (in the areas of Bankruptcy, Criminal, Estate & Trust, Family Law, Injury & Wrongful Death, Real Estate, Tax and Workers' Compensation) is available from the State Bar of Arizona at 602.340.7300.
- For a small fee, a Lawyer Referral Service will find an attorney for you. In Maricopa County call 602.257.4434. In Pima County call 520.623.4625. In other counties, check your telephone directory for the listings of local county bar associations.
Your attorney will advise you of your options after assessing your legal issues.
Who do I contact for a legal diagnosis?
Only lawyers admitted to the State Bar of Arizona can do this. They are trained professionals and only they can promise that your legal consultation will be kept completely confidential. To confirm an attorney's standing, contact the State Bar of Arizona at 602.340.7239.
How can I get help preparing documents?
You have several options available to you if your legal situation requires document preparation:
Prepare the document yourself. You may be able to purchase court-approved forms from the court where you will be filing your documents. Some forms may also be accessible online. Check the court's Web site for self service information. Note that you are expected to know the applicable law and court procedures if you prepare your own documents.
- Certified Legal Document Preparers can assist you with document preparation. However, they are not permitted to help select documents or provide legal advice.
- Attorneys can always prepare your documents, but they are especially important to consult if you're facing complex issues.
What should I do if my case goes to a hearing or trial?
With a few exceptions, only an attorney may represent you in court. The alternative is that you may represent yourself, but note that you will be expected to understand court procedures, your documents and the law related to your case. Check with the court for the availability of materials that explain how to represent yourself in that court.
What if I am unhappy with the outcome of my case?
You may consider an appeal if you are unhappy with the outcome of your case. Only an Arizona attorney can help you decide if that's your best option. You must act quickly to preserve your legal rights.
How can I be sure that I am using a trained attorney or Certified Legal Document Preparer?
To check the status of an attorney's license, call the State Bar of Arizona at 602.340.7239.
- To check an attorney's discipline history, call the State Bar of Arizona at 602.340.7384.
- To determine the status of a Certified Legal Document Preparer, contact the Supreme Court of Arizona at 602.452.3378.
Who can I contact if I have a problem with a lawyer, Certified Legal Document Preparer or non-lawyer?
For attorneys contact the State Bar of Arizona at 602.340.7280.
- For Certified Legal Document Preparers call the Legal Document Preparer Program at 602.452.3378.
- For non-lawyers contact the State Bar of Arizona at 602.340.7292.
Caution!
There are persons who are not lawyers who may try to practice law. Only active members of the State Bar of Arizona may practice law in Arizona. Only active members of the State Bar of Arizona and Certified Legal Document Preparers are authorized to prepare legal documents for you. If you hire a non-lawyer to provide legal services to you, be aware that the non-lawyer is not permitted to give you legal advice.
Where can I get free or inexpensive help?
There are organizations in Arizona that provide legal assistance for free or at a reduced cost. Each organization has different eligibility requirements. Please be aware that some of these numbers may have changed since they were listed. If you find one that no longer works, please contact the communications department at the State Bar of Arizona.
APACHE AND NAVAJO COUNTIES
White Mountain Legal Aid
5658 Highway 260, Suite 15
Lakeside, AZ 85929
Phone: 928.537.8383; 800.658.7958
Fax: 928.537.1838
COCHISE/GRAHAM/GREENLEE COUNTIES
Southern Arizona Legal Aid
2 Copper Queen Plaza
P.O. Box AL
Bisbee, AZ 85603
Phone: 520.432.1639; 800.231.7106
Fax: 520.432.1641
COCONINO COUNTY
DNA-People's Legal Services
222 E. Birch Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: 928.774.0653; 800.789.5781
Fax: 928.774.9452
GILA COUNTY (See Pima County)
LA PAZ AND YUMA COUNTIES
Community Legal Services
201 W. 1st Ave.
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: 928.782.7511; 800.424.7962
Fax: 928.782.0037
MARICOPA COUNTY
Community Legal Services
305 S. 2nd Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85036-1538
Phone: 602.258.3434; 800.852.9075
Fax: 602.254.3258
Community Legal Services
East Side Office
20 W. First St., Suite 101
Mesa, AZ 85201
Phone: 480.833.1442; 800.896.3631
Fax: 480.833.1746
Advocates for the Disabled
4520 N. Central Ave., Suite 575
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: 602.212.2600
Fax: 602.212.2606
Arizona Senior Citizens Law Project
1818 S. 16th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Phone: 602.252.6710
Fax: 602.252.6694
Catholic Social Service (Immigration)
1825 W. Northern Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85021-5298
Phone: 602.997.6105
Fax: 602.943.0377
Friendly House (Immigration)
802 S. First Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: 602.257.1870
Fax: 602.257.8278
MOHAVE COUNTY
Community Legal Services
1720 Beverly, Suite A
Kingman, AZ 86401
Phone: 928.681.1177; 800.255.9031
Fax: 928.681.5998
PIMA/SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES
Southern Arizona Legal Aid
64 East Broadway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85701-1720
Phone: 520.623.9465
Fax: 520.620.0443
Arizona Center for Disability Law
100 N. Stone Ave., Suite 305
Tucson, AZ 85701
Phone: 520.327.9547
Fax: 520.884.0992
PINAL COUNTY
Southern Arizona Legal Aid
766 North Park Ave.
Casa Grande, AZ 85222
Phone: 520.316.8086; 877.718.8086
Fax: 520.316.8063
YAVAPAI COUNTY
Community Legal Services
401 N. Mount Vernon
Prescott, AZ 86301
Phone: 928.445.9240; 800.233.5114
Fax: 928.445.6312
AK-CHIN, GILA RIVER & SALT RIVER RESERVATIONS
Southern Arizona Legal Aid
403 Seed Farm Road
Sacaton, AZ 85247
Phone: 520.562.3369
Fax: 520.562.3900
NAVAJO NATION
DNA-Chinle Agency Office
P.O. Box 767
Chinle, AZ 86503
Phone: 928.674.5242; 800.789.7598
Fax: 928.674.2410
DNA-Fort Defiance Agency Office
P.O. Box 306
Window Rock, AZ 86515
Phone: 928.871.4151; 800.789.7287
Fax: 928.871.5036; 800.789.5824
DNA-Hopi Legal Services
P.O. Box 558
Keams Canyon, AZ 86034
Phone: 928.738.2251; 800.789.9586
Fax: 928.738.5343
DNA-Tuba City Agency Office
P.O. Box 765
Tuba City, AZ 86045
Phone: 928.283.5265; 800.789.8919
Fax: 928.28.-5460
TOHONO O'ODHAM RESERVATION
Southern Arizona Legal Aid
P.O. Box 298
Sells, AZ 85634
Phone: 520.383.2420
Fax: 520.383.2516
WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE RESERVATION
Southern Arizona Legal Aid
116 East Walnut St.
Whiteriver, AZ 85941
Phone: 928.338.4845
Fax: 928.338.1436
STATEWIDE
Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project
(INS detainees only)
P.O. Box 654
Florence, AZ 85232-0654
Phone: 520.868.0191
Fax: 520.868.0192
Asylum Program of Southern Arizona (Immigration)
2221 E. Broadway, Ste. 211
Tucson, AZ 85719
Phone: 520.623.4555
Fax: 520.623.4884
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