Apply for Free Legal Help in New Jersey | VLJ Services for Debt, Divorce, Eviction & More — Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ)’s business hours are Monday - Thursday, from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Eastern; the office is closed on Fridays.

apply for FREE LEGAL help today!

We understand your legal needs are important and we will do our best to assist. For our services, you can choose to apply online or over the phone.

  • When applying for services, we will ask for information about your finances and property.

  • Some VLJ programs are open to anyone in the state, while others are limited to certain counties.

  • You are responsible for meeting ALL deadlines in your legal matter, until you sign a retainer agreement with a VLJ attorney.

  • If you are alrady working with a VLJ staff person or pro bono attorney, please call or email them directly.

Asistencia legal gratuita para:

  • desalojo (condado de Essex),

  • demanda por deudas,

  • borrar registro criminal record,

  • divorcio (condado de Essex y Union).

Un esto memomento no podemos ayudarle con otros asuntos legales. Para solicitar en español, contacte con VLJ en (973) 645-1955 y presione el nueve.

vlj’s programs and legal areas

VLJ currently as programming on the following legal issues. For more information information, including self-help materials and recorded attorney presentations, please click below.

If you need help an issue NOT listed below, please visit NJ 211 or call 2-1-1.

Eviction

Being Sued for Unpaid Bills

Criminal Record Expungement

Denial of Special Education Services

Divorce

legal name Change

VLJ also has services for :

PARENTS in Newark’s South Ward
(07108, 07112, 07114)

Survivors of Human Trafficking

Veterans

EVICTION DEFENSE

VLJ’s Tenancy Program - If you are an Essex County tenant facing eviction and you have an upcoming trial date or are waiting to be given a trial date, you may be eligible to speak to an attorney about your case.

Essex County tenants can also call (973) 943-4754 to apply to speak with an attorney. Services are currently limited to Essex County, NJ tenants only.

For more information about your rights as a tenant in New Jersey:

Consumer debt defense

VLJ’s Debt Relief Legal Program - Get free legal help with lawsuits for unpaid bills, debt collection cases in the Special Civil Court.

We are not currently accepting any new bankruptcy clients at this time.

To be screened for eligibility and apply for services, apply online or call VLJ at (973) 645-1955

For more information about your rights:

CRIMINAL RECORD EXPUNGEMENT

VLJ’s ReLeSe (Reentry Legal Services) Program - Get free legal help to understand if your NJ criminal record is eligible to be expunged under the current NJ law.  If your record is eligible to be expunged, VLJ will help you to file your expungement petition with the court.  We are not able to assist with expunging charges in other states. 

To be screened for eligibility and apply for services, apply online or call VLJ at (973) 645-1955

divorce

VLJ’s Divorce Program - Get free legal help to file for divorce and represent yourself throughout your case.

To be screened for eligibility and apply for services, apply online or call VLJ at (973) 645-1955

For more information about the divorce process in New Jersey:

To learn more about your rights, the following legal seminars are made available by VLJ.

veterans

VLJ's Veterans Legal Program - Veterans can get free legal help for the following civil legal issues:

  • Criminal record clearing (“expungement”)

  • Eviction

  • Bankruptcy and other debt-related issues

  • Divorce

  • Child support modification

  • Estate planning

  • Suspended NJ driver’s license

VLJ CANNOT advise on:

  • Municipal court (criminal) matters that are still open/active

  • Matters outside of New Jersey

  • Immigration

  • Custody

  • Benefit appeals

HOW TO APPLY FOR HELP

Veterans should first complete an online application. The application asks for more information about you, your finances, and what legal issue(s) you want to discuss.

Once your application is submitted, you can pick a day/time to speak with a pro bono attorney.

special education issues

Parents and guardians can receive free legal help to:

  • make sure children in need of special education services are getting the necessary services in school,

  • respond to children being harassed or bullied at school, and/or

  • respond to children facing discipline issues.

The first step is to complete an application by calling the Education Law Center at 973-624-1815 x 30 or Disability Rights New Jersey at 800-922-7233 or 609-292-9742. These organizations will talk to you about your issue(s) and determine if you have a legal matter that should be referred to VLJ for services.

families in newark’s south ward

South Ward Promise Neighborhood logo

VLJ’s South Ward Promise Neighborhood Program - Parents residing in Newark’s South Ward (07108, 17112, 07114) can get free legal help with civil legal issues.

To be screened for eligibility and apply for services, apply online or call VLJ at (973) 645-1955

SURVIVORS of Human Trafficking

VLJ’s New Jersey Survivors Justice Project - Survivors can get free civil legal help in New Jersey.

To be screened for eligibility and apply for services, apply online or call VLJ at (973) 645-1955.

PRIDE Name Change Program

VLJ's PRIDE (Promoting Rights, Identity, Dignity, and Equality) Name Change Program assists community members seeking to change their legal name in New Jersey.

While a queer identity is not a requirement for clients to obtain assistance, VLJ prioritizes assisting trans, nonbinary, and non-cisgender individuals through this program.

To be screened for eligibility and submit an online application HERE.