Services

Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota (LSNM) provides free legal help in twenty-two northwest Minnesota counties. Only people with low-incomes and issues critical to daily life receive services through LSNM. LSNM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

Depending on the issue, LSNM may give legal advice, review court papers, assist in drafting paperwork, mediate, negotiate, litigate, and/or represent at an administrative law or district court hearing.

To apply for free legal help, you may call 1-800-450-8585, walk into any of our offices or apply online.

General office hours are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the summer, all offices close at 3 p.m. on Fridays.
Client applications are taken over the phone Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The fastest way to apply is by phone.

Cases We Take

Consumer

-Are you being threatened or harassed by a creditor or debt collector?
-Is your paycheck or bank account being garnished?
-Have your utilities been shut off?

Education

-Does your child have a disability and need an Individualized Education Program (IEP)?
-Has your child been wrongfully disciplined, suspended or expelled?

Employment

-Have you been denied unemployment benefits?
-Is your criminal history preventing you from getting a job?

Family

-Do you have questions about your custody or parenting time rights?
-Are you or your child scared of a family member?
-Need help understanding court papers?
-Need to file for divorce?

Housing

-Have you been asked to move or served eviction papers?
-Have you been locked out of your rental housing or have repair issues?
-Are you facing foreclosure or contract for deed cancellation?
-Have you been denied subsidized housing?
-Do you have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation?

Protective Orders

-Is someone physically harming or threatening to harm you or your child?
-Are you or your child being harassed?

Public Assistance and Disability Benefits

-Confused about your food support, medical assistance, or other public assistance?
-Have you been denied necessary medical care?
-Are you unable to work because of a disability?

Senior Issues

-Do you need a simple will, power of attorney, or health care directive?

Eligibility

To qualify for free civil legal aid, your household income must be at or below 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). You can apply online via the button below, or call 1-800-450-8585 to complete an application over the phone.

apply for legal help

What Our Clients Say

Thank you so much for everything. You guided me though this lengthy process. This whole thing was obviously very tough on me. But you have my gratitude for all the work you've done. Thank you so much!

- Mike*

I am so thankful for all the hard work Sherry and the team at Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota put in to help secure my disability decision. I have and will continue to share this good news with people who have their own story that needs a good ending.

- Steve

Because of the hard work, long hours, and dedication of my attorney I feel as though this was a win for me. I didn't get everything I wanted and it didn't go 100% my way but I don't know anyone who does "win" a divorce. Once everything had been decided and all was said and done, I felt great about the outcome.

- Barbara*

If not for your hard work, I would be starting over with absolutely nothing. What you do for your clients changes lives.

- Farah*

My attorney was patient with me. He gave he more chances than I deserved. He also know how strenuous my life is and how badly I needed his representation. He was thorough and always made sure we were always prepared for any scenario that could have been thrown our way. I will be forever grateful to everyone at Legal Services who worked on my case.

- Krystal*