Legal Issues We Can Help With
If you are facing a legal problem, we are here to help you understand your options and find a solution that works for you. While we cannot help with every type of legal issue, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands and our Volunteer Program focus on cases like the ones listed below.
We know how hard it can be to ask for legal help.
Because Legal Aid Society provides free services and serves a large geographic region, we are not able to help everyone who contacts us. Eligibility depends on income, legal issue, location, and current capacity.
If we are unable to take your case, it does not mean your situation isn’t serious. We will do our best to share information, self-help resources, or referrals to other organizations that may be able to assist you.
SELF-HELP RESOURCES
How Legal Aid Can Help With Housing Problems
We cannot help with every legal issue, but Legal Aid Society and our Volunteer Program may be able to help with certain housing problems. When you contact us, you will receive information, resources, and advice. In some cases, a lawyer may be able to represent you.
Help for Homeowners
We may be able to help homeowners who are behind or about to fall behind on mortgage payments, have received a foreclosure notice, or need help lowering their mortgage payments.
Help for Renters
If you rent and are having problems with your landlord, we may be able to help with issues such as eviction, housing voucher problems, denial of housing, discrimination, lockouts, utility shutoffs, or housing issues related to a disability.
Eviction Help in Davidson County
If you are facing eviction in Davidson County, special help may be available to you through local eviction prevention programs.
Eviction Right to Counsel (ERTC) Program
The Eviction Right to Counsel (ERTC) program provides free legal help and education to low-income households facing eviction in Nashville. Services may include legal advice or full representation in court. The program is funded by the Metro Nashville City Council and works to reduce evictions and promote housing fairness.
How to Get Help Through ERTC
If you think you qualify for the ERTC program, call (833) 837-HOME and leave a message with your name, date of birth, and phone number. If you have a court date, be sure to include it. We will return your call as soon as possible.
Legal Help Booklets and Self-Help Resources
We also offer free Legal Help Booklets on this website. These resources can help you better understand your housing problem and what steps you can take next.
Need to talk to a lawyer about your legal problem? Visit a Free Legal Help Clinic. Click below to see available dates and times.
You can also ask a lawyer a question online at no cost.
Family Law and Domestic Violence Assistance
When you contact Legal Aid Society for help with a family law or domestic violence issue, the kind of help we can provide depends on your situation. We will always try to share helpful resources and advice. While we cannot provide a lawyer for every case, a lawyer from Legal Aid Society or our Volunteer Lawyers Program may be able to represent you in cases like these:
We may be able to help if:
-
You are being hurt, threatened, or abused
-
Someone is controlling or denying your access to money, transportation, or work
-
You need a divorce to help keep yourself or your children safe
-
You need help getting education services for a child
-
You want to adopt a child who already lives with you
-
You need a power of attorney so someone can make decisions for you
-
You need a court order to make decisions for an adult child or family member
-
You need help creating a will
We also offer free Legal Help Booklets on this website. These resources may help you better understand your legal problem and next steps.
You are not alone. Free and confidential help is available.
Talk to a lawyer at a Free Legal Help Clinic. Click below to see clinic dates and times.
You can also ask a lawyer a question online at no cost.
Food Assistance & SNAP Help
Legal Aid Society may be able to help with problems related to food assistance benefits, including SNAP (food stamps). When you contact us, we will share information, resources, and advice. In some cases, a lawyer may be able to represent you.
We may be able to help if:
-
You need help applying for SNAP or food assistance
-
Your SNAP benefits were denied, reduced, or cut off
-
You are having trouble with SNAP renewals or recertification
-
Your benefits were stopped because of missing paperwork or deadlines
-
You were told you are not eligible and believe the decision is wrong
-
You need help appealing a SNAP decision or asking for a fair hearing
We also offer free self-help resources and Legal Help Booklets that may help you understand your rights and next steps if you are having trouble getting or keeping food benefits.
Talk to a lawyer at a Free Legal Help Clinic. Click below to see clinic dates and times.
You can also ask a lawyer a question online at no cost.
Health Benefits & Insurance Help
Legal Aid Society may be able to help with problems related to health insurance and health benefits, including TennCare. When you contact us, we will share information, resources, and advice. In some cases, a lawyer may be able to represent you.
We may be able to help if:
-
You need help applying for TennCare or other health insurance
-
Your health insurance or benefits were denied, reduced, or ended
-
You are having trouble renewing or keeping your coverage
-
You were told you are not eligible and believe the decision is wrong
-
Your benefits were stopped because of missing paperwork or deadlines
-
You need help appealing a denial or termination of health coverage
We also offer free Legal Help Booklets on this website. These resources can help you better understand your housing problem and what steps you can take next.
Need to talk to a lawyer about your legal problem? Visit a Free Legal Help Clinic. Click below to see available dates and times.
You can also ask a lawyer a question online at no cost.
Employment Help
Legal Aid Society may be able to help with work-related legal problems. When you contact us, the type of help we can provide depends on your situation. We will always try to share helpful resources and advice. In some cases, a lawyer from Legal Aid Society or our Volunteer Lawyers Program may be able to represent you.
We may be able to help if:
-
You are having trouble getting a job because of a criminal record
-
You need help reinstating a driver’s license so you can work
-
You are at risk of losing your job
-
Your employer has not paid you the wages you earned
-
You need help getting or keeping job-related benefits
-
You were treated unfairly at work because of your race, color, sex, religion, age, disability, or where you are from
-
You were denied unemployment benefits or your benefits were cut off
We also offer free Legal Help Booklets on this website. These resources may help you understand your rights and what steps you can take next.
Talk to a Lawyer
If you want to talk to a lawyer for advice about your work problem, you can visit a Free Legal Help Clinic.
You can also ask a lawyer a question online.
Consumer & Money Problems
Legal Aid Society may be able to help with consumer and money problems. When you contact us, we will share information, resources, and advice. In some cases, a lawyer from Legal Aid Society or our Volunteer Lawyers Program may be able to represent you.
We may be able to help if:
-
A business cheated you or broke the law
-
A debt collector is harassing you or breaking the law
-
You are being sued for a debt
-
You have problems with payday loans, title loans, or other high-cost loans
-
You need help with a car repair or car purchase
-
You are having trouble with student loans
-
You need bankruptcy to protect your income or restore your driver’s license
We also offer free Legal Help Booklets on this website. These resources may help you understand your rights and what steps you can take next.
If you want to talk to a lawyer for advice about your work problem, you can visit a Free Legal Help Clinic.
You can also ask a lawyer a question online.
Tax Help and IRS Issues
Legal Aid Society may be able to help with certain tax problems, including issues with the IRS. When you contact us, we will share information, resources, and advice. In some cases, a lawyer may be able to represent you.
We may be able to help if:
-
The IRS is holding your tax refund
-
You owe the IRS money
-
You are having other problems with the IRS
-
You have not filed taxes and need help with back taxes
-
You need help requesting Innocent Spouse relief
-
You received tax notices or letters you do not understand
-
You need help resolving a tax dispute or setting up a payment option
We also offer free Legal Help Booklets on this website. These resources may help you understand your rights and what steps you can take next.
If you want to talk to a lawyer for advice about your work problem, you can visit a Free Legal Help Clinic.
You can also ask a lawyer a question online.
Legal Aid Society’s Reentry Services Project
Our mission is to dismantle hurdles that prevent former offenders from contributing positively to their community. Society wants former offenders to engage in gainful employment, to establish stable homes and support their children, to reintegrate into civic and communal life. Yet a record can stop them from obtaining licensure into nursing, admission into the military, approval into rental housing, and can restrict their movement, barring them from good neighborhoods. In order to build thriving communities, we must empower people to go back and impact the lives of others.
Services Offered
Court Debt
We assist clients in tackling financial challenges such as court costs, fines, and fees. These expenses can prevent expungement, driver’s license reinstatement, and rights restoration.
Expungement
Tennessee’s expungement law exists to restore people to the status they held before they came to have a criminal record. Expungement is the legal process of removing eligible criminal cases from publicly available records. There are different processes for dealing with convictions and non-convictions, but we can assist with both.
Driver’s License Restoration
Driver’s licenses are crucial for daily life in Tennessee. We offer help restoring suspended or revoked driver's licenses. We will guide you through addressing your reinstatement requirements.
Certificates of Employability
This service targets enhancing employability for individuals with criminal records. We assist in obtaining these certificates, which can help with job prospects, assist in obtaining professional licensure, and reduce employer liability concerns.
Restoration of Citizenship Rights
Criminal convictions can cause the loss of certain rights that allow a person to participate in the life of their community. We can help restore those lost rights.
Offender-Registry Removal
If you are listed on an offender registry, our team can assess eligibility for removal and help with the process.
We also have Legal Help Booklets on this website. They may help you with your legal problem.
If you want to talk to a lawyer for advice about your problem, you can come to a Free Legal Help Clinic. Click to see times and dates for legal advice.
You can also go on-line and ask a lawyer a question.
Education Rights and School Support
Legal Aid Society may be able to help students and families with school-related legal problems. When you contact us, we will share information, resources, and advice. In some cases, a lawyer may be able to represent you.
We may be able to help if:
-
Your child needs special education services, including help with IEPs, evaluations, or accommodations
-
A school is not providing services your child is entitled to
-
Your child is facing school discipline, such as suspension or expulsion
-
You are having trouble with school enrollment or access, including residency or transfer issues
-
Your child has been denied educational services because of a disability, language barriers, or other challenges
-
You need help understanding or enforcing your child’s education rights
-
A school has treated your child or family unfairly or differently
We also offer free self-help resources and Legal Help Booklets that may help you understand your rights and next steps if you are having trouble getting or keeping food benefits.
Talk to a lawyer at a Free Legal Help Clinic. Click below to see clinic dates and times.
You can also ask a lawyer a question online at no cost.
Free Legal Information and Help
Legal Help Booklets
We offer free Legal Help Booklets on this website. These booklets can help you understand your legal problem and what steps you can take next.
View Legal Help Booklets
Free Legal Help Clinics
If you want to talk to a lawyer for advice about your problem, you can visit a Free Legal Help Clinic.
See clinic dates and times
Ask a Lawyer Online
You can also ask a lawyer a question online and get legal information about your issue.
TN Free Legal Answers
Important Information
We can only help with civil legal problems—cases where you cannot go to jail.
If you have a criminal case, you must contact the Public Defender’s Office for help.
Public Defender’s Office