Need free legal aid in Alaska? We’ve found resources that can help. Whether you need advice or full court representation, we’ve found several agencies that can help!
Need legal aid in another state? Click here!
Use SoloSuit to file an answer!
Have you heard of SoloSuit? This easy-to-use program can help you create an official Answer if you’ve been sued. Although the basic service is free, you can pay a little extra to have them file the paperwork with the Court and the Plaintiff. I have used this service myself and I highly recommend it. Get started here.
How can I get free legal aid in Alaska?
There are several different agencies that can assist you, depending on your specific legal needs. In order to find the best one, read the descriptions below.
Alaska Legal Services Corporation
This agency serves the entire state of Alaska! If you are a low income Alaska resident, then they can help you with legal advice, representation and more.
The Alaska Legal Services Corporation specializes in several fields. They typically help with civil issues that affect your family, home, income, or job. They can also help you gain access to essential health care, utilities or other public benefits.
Specifically, they can assist with consumer issues like debt collection, garnishment, bankruptcy and predatory lending. They have special programs for veterans and Alaska Natives. Also, they handle domestic violence cases, elder law issues and can help you with legal medical interventions. They can even help you get access to public benefits like SNAP and Medicaid!
There are twelve offices around the state. You can find them in Anchorage, Utqiaġvik (Barrow), Bethel, Bristol Bay, Fairbanks, Juneau, Kenai, Ketchikan, Kotzebue, Nome, Palmer, and Wasilla. They help over 7,000 Alaskans every year!
In order to be eligible for service, you will need to meet income guidelines and need help with an eligible case. When you apply online, you will need to select the office that is closest to you. They have applications in English, Samoan, Tagalog, Spanish and German.
Alaska Institute for Justice
The Alaska Institute for Justice provides low-cost legal aid to immigrants. They assist with many immigration issues, including deportation defense, DACA-eligible youth, naturalization, family-based immigration and more.
Since 1998, the Alaska Institute for Justice has run a Pro Bono Asylum Project. This project helps immigrants flee persecution and torture in their country of origin. They have helped asylum seekers from around the world, including Mexico, El Salvador, Cameroon, Gambia, Ethipia, Russia, Nigeria, Columbia and more.
They also specialize in helping victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking.
The Alaska Institute for Justice is the only Alaskan agency that is dedicated to protecting the rights of immigrants and refugees. If your legal needs are immigration-based, you should contact them right away. You can find their contact information here.
Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
The Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault provides many services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. They have a legal program that provides representation, information and referrals.
In order to qualify, you must be a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence. They work with trained legal advocates who can assist you. The website mentions that they have a network of pro bono attorneys, but the list is not available online. You will need to call their Sitka office at (907) 747-7545 for more information.
Disability Law Center of Alaska
The Disability Law Center of Alaska provides low-cost legal advocacy for disabled Alaskans. They provide an array of services, from simple legal advice to legal representation in class action lawsuits. Among other things, they can assist you with informal advocate letters, assistance with Social Security or Medicaid hearings, and more.
In order to be served by the Disability Law Center, you need to be a person with a disability and have a disability-related legal issue. Some of the things they assist with include Social Security applications, disability-related employment discrimination, Medicaid appeals, housing discrimination, physical barriers, voting access issues, and complaints about the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.
They do not assist with non-disability matters, such as divorces, custody cases, bankruptcy, tax issues or traffic violations.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
The ACLU organization focuses on the protection of freedom throughout the United States. They have staffed affiliate offices in all 50 states, Washington DC and Puerto Rico. In order to find the ACLU office near you, click here.
Don’t qualify for legal aid in Alaska? Try this!
If you are representing yourself in a family law matter, then the Family Law Self-Help Center of the Alaska Court System can assist you. They will help you select and complete the appropriate court forms for legal cases. They also offer legal aid through workshops and lectures that can help you learn how to best represent yourself in court.
Of course, you can also contact the Lawyer Referral Service from the Alaska Bar Association. This service will help you connect with an attorney who agrees to charge no more than $125 for the first 30-minute consultation. Fees beyond that are determined by the attorney. You can call the referral service toll-free at (800) 770-9999.
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Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.