Free Legal Advice Lines: Domestic and Sexual Violence, Housing, and Senior

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Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. offers legal advice lines for eligible Idahoans in the following legal areas: Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, Stalking, and Sex Trafficking; Senior/Elder; and Housing. Please read the information below to learn more.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Legal Advice Line. If you are a domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or sex trafficking survivor and you need help with a legal problem, such as obtaining a protection order or a divorce, you have a question you think a lawyer should answer, or you simply don’t know where to turn, call our Domestic and Sexual Violence Legal Advice Line.  

With funding from the Office on Violence Against Women, Idaho Legal Aid Services has created the Rural Idaho Survivor Assistance Fund to support and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking. Survivors of violence often need a network of support to help them achieve safety, and we hope to use these funds to help survivors access services that may otherwise be out of reach. If you believe you may benefit from this fund, and want to see if you qualify, please let us know when you contact our hotline.

Housing Legal Advice Line. If you are a tenant and need help with a legal problem related to your housing (such as evictions, repairs, security deposits, or housing discrimination) or you are a homeowner that needs help with foreclosure prevention, you have a question you think a lawyer should answer, or you have been sued and don’t know where to turn, call our Housing Advice Line. 

Senior Legal Advice Line. If you are a senior (age 60 or older) and you need help with a civil legal problem, you have a question you think a lawyer should answer, or you have been sued and don’t know where to turn, call our Senior Legal Advice Line. 

Intake for the Advice Line Hours. Intake for the advice lines occurs Monday through Thursday (excluding holidays), from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mountain Time (9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon Pacific Time). There are no phone intakes on Fridays. However, you may apply online for services at any time: Apply Online for Services.

Please call: (208) 746-7541 during intake hours (as described above) to reach an intake specialist who can place you on one of our advice lines. 

 

Before You Call
What to Expect
Get the Most From Your Call

Before You Call

You must have a civil legal problem. Our Advice Lines cannot help with criminal problems, including traffic tickets. Below you will find examples of civil legal problems. If you are unsure, call anyway.
Don’t wait to call. Many legal problems are made worse when people delay getting help.
Get your documents and facts together before you call. The Advice Line staff will be able to give you better advice if you have specific and correct information.
Examples of common civil legal problems:

  • Guardianships
  • Wills
  • Powers of Attorney
  • Domestic Violence issues, including protection orders
  • Divorce (*Eligible Seniors and Domestic Violence Victims)
  • Custody (*Eligible Seniors and Domestic Violence Victims)
  • Landlord/tenant disputes
  • Evictions
  • Consumer matters, such as debt relief and contract disputes
  • Public benefits, including Medicaid
  • Food Stamps
  • Medicare

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What to Expect

Our staff will try to take your call right away. If all Advice Line staff are busy, someone will call you back. Please have a call back number ready when you call.
You will be asked some questions (our intake process) before you can speak with an attorney. Our Advice Lines can only help people with income and assets within certain guidelines. You will be asked about all of your income and assets. We also ask other personal questions such as address, telephone number, marital status, age, and where you live. All information is protected by the attorney/client privilege and will not be shared or sold.
Next the Advice Line staff will ask you to describe your problem or question in detail. They may ask you questions to better understand your situation.
Our staff will decide how best to assist you. Depending on your unique situation, here is what you might expect:

  • Legal advice over the telephone
  • More detailed information sent to you by mail
  • Brief service (e.g., limited legal research)
  • Referral to a staff or volunteer attorney for legal representation
  • Referral to other agencies
  • Referral to a private attorney for advice or representation

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Get the Most From Your Call

Call when you won’t be distracted. You will get the most out of the call if the TV is turned off and children are safely somewhere else so you can focus. Allow enough time. The Advice Line staff will give you as much time as possible.
Avoid calling from a cell phone, if possible. If you are cut off, you may have to answer the same questions again.
Do not take another call or ask the Advice Line staff to hold. Staff is limited and there are many people needing help. Please be courteous of the staff’s time.
Have your documents in front of you. Our Advice Line staff cannot give you sound advice without complete and correct information.
Have a pen and paper handy when you call. The Advice Line staff may give you instructions over the telephone. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and repeat instructions so you will know what to do later.
Follow instructions. The Advice Line staff may explain how to do something. If you don’t follow the instructions you are given, it is unlikely that you will get the result you desire.
You may not get the result you want. Sometimes, the Advice Line attorney may tell you there is no legal remedy to your problem or your case is too weak to proceed. Please be understanding and respectful.

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