Legal Advice
I want to know how the law affects me and my case.
Legal advice is when a lawyer gives you their professional opinion on what has happened, will happen, or how to solve your problem by applying the law to the facts in your case. Legal advice is any time that a person listens to a set of facts and then applies the law to those facts.
Legal advice can only be provided by a lawyer.
How can I help the lawyer give me reliable advice?
You can help by making sure the lawyer knows and understands all the facts in your case. A good way to do this is to write a fact statement. To write one, write out everything that has happened in your case. Make sure to include dates and references to any evidence you might have to help prove your side of the story. Make sure to gather any and all copies of paperwork in your case.
It is also a good idea to write a goal statement. To write one, write out what your ideal outcome in the case is, so the lawyer will understand your goals for your case. When talking to the lawyer, provide them with your facts and goals, so they can give good legal advice.
What kind of legal advice can I get?
Generally, you can get legal advice on:
- How what has already happened in your case affects your current and future rights.
- What steps to avoid.
- What steps to take next.
- Other issues you should be aware of.
Why is it a good idea to get legal advice?
There is no substitute for the advice of a lawyer.
Getting advice from a lawyer allows you to rely on what she has told you so you can better understand your legal rights and responsibilities.
There are several other types of help lawyers can provide, but when going through the legal system you should at least make sure to get detailed legal advice from a lawyer about your issues.
FREE or Low-Cost Legal Advice -Your Options
Legal Hotlines
Various bar associations and legal aid organizations provide free legal hotlines as another way to provide free legal advice. Some legal hotlines can help regardless of your income level. Click the link below for a listing of legal hotlines in Texas.
Legal Clinics
Various bar associations and legal aid organizations offer legal clinics as a way to provide free legal advice. Some legal clinics are available regardless of your income level. Click the link below for a calendar of free legal clinics in Texas.
Special Programs
If you are over 60, a veteran, a victim or survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault, or a parent having trouble with visitation or CPS, there are programs that might be able to provide free legal assistance regardless of your income level. Click the link below for more information on these programs.
Legal Help Finder
TexasLawHelp staff put together a directory of legal assistance programs in Texas. Programs in the directory may be able to provide free or low-cost legal advice. Please click the link below for more information.
Keep in Mind
When getting legal advice, you might not get the answer you were hoping for. This does not mean that the lawyer provided the wrong advice, but it is more likely that is simply the way the law applies to the facts of your case. If this is the case, you can try to get a second opinion from another lawyer.