A Complete Guide to Legal Aid in Fargo, ND

Legal Aid Explained

Legal Aid, also known as "legal assistance," is a type of legal assistance in civil matters that is provided free of charge or at a significantly reduced cost to people who cannot afford to pay for legal representation. Legal Aid is offered by Legal Aid Clinics, which are non-profit organizations that are dedicated to providing access to the legal system for all. Legal Aid Clinics are staffed with paid attorneys and trained volunteers who assist low-income individuals through their legal predicaments.
Overall, the goal of a Legal Aid Clinic is to ensure that justice is available to all – regardless of their financial and personal situations. Comprehensive and stable access to the legal system is proven to provide benefits to individuals, families and communities alike, so Legal Aid Clinics take great pride in the work that they do.
There are actually quite a few types of cases that Legal Aid Clinics take on. For example, Legal Aid Clinics often help people who are dealing with the aftermath of domestic violence, or for those who are expecting that domestic violence could become an issue (such as a woman who is pregnant and in need of assistance with a legal separation). Legal Aid Clinics also help low-income families gain access to subsidies for housing and utilities, as well as to child support and custody arrangements that are fair, just, and serve the overall best interests of children . In some situations, Legal Aid Clinics may even take on cases that could help the individual avoid having to file for bankruptcy, such as a foreclosures defense case or ending a repossession.
Of course, we would be remiss if we did not expressly mention that Legal Aid Clinics are not able to help every situation or individual in need of assistance. The truth is that there is often far more demand for Legal Aid than there are available resources. In other words, the number of legal cases that each Legal Aid Clinic can accept is frequently limited by things like the amount of funding received, the number of trained volunteers and attorneys they may have, and the like.
However, there is still hope for those individuals who find that their situation does not meet the exact criteria of a Legal Aid Clinic or who live in a community without access to a Legal Aid Clinic. There are often "pro bono" opportunities to connect individuals in need of legal assistance with lawyers who offer their services free of charge (although this too, is subject to limitations). Pro bono legal aid efforts are a wonderful way for members of the legal community to give back.
Often, an alternative would be to explore some of your options for getting low-cost or affordable legal assistance from a local Law Firm. This is where the telephone number of FARGOLAW.COM comes into play.

Qualifying for Legal Aid in Fargo, ND

Eligibility for legal aid in Fargo, ND is primarily determined by income. The number of people living in your home and your monthly expenses are considered in conjunction with your income to help determine the services for which you may qualify. To qualify for most legal aid services in Fargo, ND, household annual income can be no more than 125 percent of federal poverty guidelines. The legal aid organizations operating in Fargo, ND generally have financial guidelines available online or on site at their offices, but do not publish specific income criteria to qualify for services. Because many legal aid initiatives are sponsored by the Legal Services Corporation (LSC), some legal aid services must be restricted based on income or other eligibility criteria to comply with federal guidelines. If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for income-based programs, you may still be able to receive no-cost services through community legal aid clinics.

Legal Aid Services in Fargo, ND

In and around Fargo, ND, legal aid provides a multitude of assistance programs to help residents of every income level have access to high-quality legal representation. Legal aid helps low-income residents in North Dakota through various divisions. Some of the practice areas that legal aid covers include family law, housing, consumer issues, public benefits, employment, estate planning and more. For housing options in particular, legal aid in the Fargo area can offer assistance with foreclosure prevention, domestication of out-of-state judgments, tenant defense disputes, evictions and collection actions, as well as clear title applications.
A lot of people also turn to legal aid for consumer concerns, such as wage and hour claims. Additionally, legal aid’s services cover concerns in the areas of public benefits and health care, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claims, food stamp benefits assistance, Medicaid and elderly waiver services. You can also receive assistance with estate planning activities, such as proving a will or executing a criminal record expungement as part of your legal aid support.
Divorce and custody cases tend to be some of the most common types of legal matters handled by legal aid. Family law services include assistance in the following areas: dissolution of marriage (divorce), child support, visitation, paternity, emancipations, domestic violence, prenuptial agreements and spousal support (alimony). Legal aid also handles adoption matters, such as pre-placement and post-placement adoptions, as well as adult adoptions.

Applying for Legal Aid in Fargo, ND

In Fargo, ND, the process of applying for legal aid is a straightforward, albeit essential step in ensuring that legal support is accessible to those in need. Legal aid services in Fargo, ND are provided by a number of organizations, with the primary aim of offering quality legal assistance to individuals and families facing financial uncertainty.
To begin the process of seeking legal aid, interested parties generally contact a legal aid office directly. The North Dakota Legal Services provides resources for residents in the area, with their office located at The Town Square Mall, 1205 42nd St SW Ste 209, Fargo, ND 58108. By calling or visiting the office, individuals can inquire about eligibility requirements, the types of cases they handle, and the necessary documentation needed for the application process.
Once you have contacted the legal aid office by either phone or in person, you will be required to fill out an application form detailing your financial situation, personal information, and the nature of your legal issue. Additionally, you may need to provide supporting documents such as proof of income, identification, and any relevant paperwork relating to your case. The staff at the office will review your application and determine whether you meet the eligibility criteria for legal aid services.
If your application is approved, a legal representative or attorney from the legal aid organization will be assigned to your case to assist you further. This legal advocate will work with you to ensure you receive the legal guidance you require. Overall, the process for applying for legal aid is designed to be accessible and efficient, providing critical support for the legal needs of low-income individuals and families.

Community Legal Aid Organizations in Fargo, ND

Most of the legal aid services in Fargo and the surrounding areas are provided by non-profit organizations which are federally-funded. The Office of Legal Aid & Indigent Defense for the State of North Dakota is responsible for overseeing and administering these programs.
Legal Services of North Dakota is a comprehensive law firm for those living with low to moderate incomes. Their mission is to help as many people as possible with the limited resources available to them. The staff helps people solve their legal problems, ranging from typical issues like evictions and domestic violence, to things like discrimination due to disability, estate problems and social security issues. Their biggest asset, according to their website, is their high level of dedication to clients and the cases they take on.
Pricing: Free
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on weekends.
Legal Services of North Dakota has a specific location in Fargo.
Northern Plains Botanic Gardens
509 2nd Ave N
Fargo, ND 58102
701-271-5181
Fargo Legal Aid Office
North Dakota Legal Services utilizes the efforts and funds of the Legal Services Corporation, an independent private non-profit corporation created by Congress, to help provide free and low-cost legal services to people throughout the state. Their goal is to help people with civil needs who would be otherwise not able to afford legal assistance. They also run statewide programs that include a hotline, housing unit , family law unit, and Farm and Ranch Law School.
Pricing: Low-income people may be eligible for reduced pricing on some services.
Hours: Monday – Friday 9 AM to 3 PM
They have a location in Fargo.
The United Tribes Technical College
801 20th St. N.W.
Bismarck, ND 57506
701-355-3506
This is only one of several locations across North Dakota. The North Dakota Indian Low Income Outreach project provides civil and criminal legal services to members of sovereign Native American nations in North Dakota and South Dakota. They encourage those in need to call or come by to apply for assistance.
Pricing: Free for applicants determined to be eligible, but there may be reduced costs for some services.
Hours: Monday – Friday 9 AM to 5 PM
There are a few other organizations to note that will help you get legal assistance; however, they do not participate in the pro-bono program. These are:
The Farm Resource Center
109 7th Ave NW
Fargo, ND 58102
701-237-6440
The North Dakota Law Library
600 E Boulevard Ave, Department 503
Bismarck, ND 58505
701-328-2665
The North Dakota Volunteer Lawyers Pro Bono Program matches members of the public with an attorney that provides free legal assistance for their case. They work with the community to understand the types of cases that are most common, and then look for volunteers with experience and knowledge that is specific to those case types.
Pricing: Free
Hours: Monday – Friday 8 AM to 5 PM

Pros and Cons of Using Legal Aid

Receiving legal aid can be highly advantageous for individuals who might otherwise lack access to competent legal representation. For many low-income families and individuals, being unable to afford the services of a private attorney can be a substantial barrier to obtaining the legal support they need. Legal aid allows those on a budget to have access to the legal guidance they require.
A major benefit to utilizing legal aid services is access to assistance by qualified attorneys at a more affordable rate. Most legal aid foundations are nonprofit organizations that operate on government grants. These types of foundations have the capacity to provide legal support that clients may not otherwise be able to afford.
There are, however, challenges associated with accessing legal aid. Oftentimes, legal aid services are not able to provide full representation to individuals with certain needs. Many legal aid organizations don’t have the capacity to take on large caseloads, which can restrict the number of people who are eligible to receive assistance. Despite the advantage of having some access to legal aid services, many individuals and families may not be able to receive the level of support necessary to fully address their legal issues.

Legal Aid Successes in Fargo

The true measure of any service is the level of impact it has on people’s lives, something which the legal aid services in Fargo, ND have demonstrated in no uncertain terms. The multitude of stories of success represented by the men and women these services have helped cannot be overstated. With a broad focus on serving the most vulnerable, vulnerable, legally under-represented populations, legal aid offices throughout the state of North Dakota continue to touch lives in meaningful and profound ways.
"The legal aid I received not only saved my life but also helped my family," says singer-songwriter and musician Sawandi Lawal. "When I came to the United States as a refugee, I had no money or family to lean on or rely upon. I had so many problems and nowhere to turn. It came to a point where I was either going to die or be sent back to my home country where I would have been imprisoned or worse. I didn’t know what to do."
Sawandi is just one success story of legal aid in Fargo, ND. She speaks of how the legal assistance she received changed her life for good. "A person from the Legal Services of North Dakota helped me to renew my visa, restore my legal status, and get my driver’s license reinstated—something I’d lost due to a car accident. It was my only means of transportation. Without those things, I wouldn’t have been able to find any work or even travel to look for a job. The legal help these organizations provide people is life-changing."
An anonymous member of the community echoed these sentiments . "I was once struggling with the idea of whether I was going to be able to continue practicing law because I suspected I may have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). After reaching out to a lawyer about my situation, I was immediately encouraged to get evaluated. I ended up being diagnosed with ADD and was able to get the proper prescriptions and treatments I needed to lead a normal life. I am no longer alone in that struggle as I can control the ADD now that I have the legal protection I always knew I needed."
When it comes to overcoming hurdles related to family matters, the services in Fargo, ND have also provided hope for those who’ve found themselves in tough situations. "My ex-husband was looking to take all our children away from me and I didn’t know which way to turn," says a woman, who like the previous success story, prefers to remain nameless in legal publications. "I had six children and had already lost two to the system. I’d had enough of being split apart from them, so I went to Legal Services of North Dakota (LSND) and spoke to an attorney there. When I left that office, I felt like I had all the hope I needed to fight for my children. It worked! I am so overjoyed to get my children back. Thank you, LSND!"
These stories represent only a fraction of what proper legal aid services do for their communities. Legal aid representatives in Fargo, ND continue to offer solutions to the most demanding of legal problems and build trusting bonds with individuals who need their help. A legacy of creation, solution finding, and problem solving continues to this day—one client at a time.