Legal Help for Nonresidents of Texas

People who don't live in Texas but have legal matters in the state should talk to lawyers licensed in Texas before doing anything. In particular, if you don't live in Texas—but you have been sued in a Texas court—talk to a lawyer about whether you should file a special appearance, which is explained in Sued in Texas, But Don't Live There?

Before hiring anyone, contact potential lawyers to ask about their experience and their fees. They will want to see relevant documents—usually ahead of time—but don't send them documents without their permission. You can start by using TexasLawHelp's Legal Help Directory.

If You Can Afford a Lawyer

1. Call the State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral Service at 800-252-9690 ($20 for a 30-minute consult).
2. Ask trusted family or friends for recommendations. Search the State Bar of Texas online lawyer directory by city, county, and case type.
3. Ask about limited scope representation, where a lawyer handles just part of your case. It can save you money.
4. Read Fees and Hiring a Lawyer, which explains the different types of fees lawyers charge and what to consider when hiring a lawyer.

If You Cannot Afford a Lawyer

1. Apply for free legal aid. Use Legal Services Corporation's I Need Legal Help directory to locate the free legal aid organization that serves the area where you need help, or try TexasLawHelp's Legal Help Directory.
2. Find a virtual legal clinic at TexasLawHelp's Events and Clinics page.

Legal aid offices are nonprofit agencies that provide free legal help to people who cannot afford to hire a lawyer. While many legal aid offices only help people with very low incomes tied to the Federal Poverty Guidelines, some offices have more flexible income rules.

If you have a very low income, you might qualify for legal aid. Legal aid organizations have different eligibility guidelines. These guidelines can include income, residency (where you live), and the type of case.

To qualify for most legal aid organizations in Texas, you must be a current resident of the state. If you—or your spouse—are in the Armed Services and temporarily stationed in another state or overseas, you are still a resident of where you live normally when you are not deployed. If that is Texas, then you're considered a Texas resident.

Here are two ways to find legal aid in your state.

1. Use the Find Legal Help Near You tool at LawHelp.org.
2. Use Legal Services Corporation's I Need Legal Help directory to locate the free legal aid organization that serves your area. If your income is low and you think you might qualify for legal aid, contact the legal aid organization closest to where you live.

Once you find the closest legal aid organization, apply for their services. If they say they cannot help because the case is taking place in Texas, ask them to refer your case directly to the appropriate legal aid organization in Texas.

When your case is directly referred, the legal aid organization nearest you will send your application directly to the appropriate legal aid organization in Texas. Once that organization receives the application it will decide whether or not it can help you.

If you don't qualify for free legal aid, consider hiring a private attorney where you live or where the case is taking place.

The American Bar Association has a lawyer referral directory where you can search for lawyer referral services by city and state.

Start with LawHelp.org 's Overview of Legal Aid Statewide Websites.Many states have websites that are like TexasLawHelp, with self-help resources that can help you get started researching your legal issue.

And this TexasLawHelp guide explains how to do legal research—whether in Texas or another jurisdiction.