Where can I get free or low-cost legal help if I'm sued and can't afford a lawyer?

Several genuine options exist before turning to paid help. Your county's superior court operates a self-help center specifically designed to assist people representing themselves without an attorney. Your local bar association also runs a lawyer referral service, which typically offers an initial low-cost consultation with a private attorney. If your household income qualifies, legal aid organizations may be able to represent you directly at no cost at all.

Some law schools additionally operate civil legal clinics staffed by supervised law students that can provide assistance to qualifying individuals. It's worth checking each of these resources before paying for any service, since the right one for your specific situation may turn out to cost you nothing at all.