Legal Help When You Need It Most

How Indian River Legal Aid Can Help

Advice & Referral

Your First Step Toward a Solution
Most clients start here. After an initial screening with our staff paralegal, you may meet with an Indian River Legal Aid-affiliated attorney to discuss your legal issue and create a personalized plan of action—designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

That plan may include: a) self-help; (b) assisted self-help from our staff paralegal; or (c.) referral to an attorney within our volunteer network.

Supervised Self-Help

Support to Handle it Yourself
Sometimes, all you need is a solid plan and a little guidance. If you're ready to move forward on your own, our paralegal can help you follow through with your next legal steps—you're not alone, even when you're handling it yourself.

Attorney Referral

Connecting You with the Right Legal Aid
Once we determine that you have a legal issue and a potential remedy, you may be referred to an attorney in our trusted volunteer network. If that happens, the attorney may enter into an agreement with you to continue working on your case—at no cost (pro bono) or for a reduced fee (low bono)—through its full resolution.

Access to Information

The Right Information at the Right Time
Some legal problems just need the right piece of information. We’ll help you find the court-based resources, rules, and guidance you need to better understand your situation and take informed action.

Community Education

Learning Together, Growing Stronger
Sometimes, many people in our community face the same legal challenges. That’s why we offer free legal education workshops—safe, supportive spaces where people can come together, learn their rights, and leave empowered to take action.

Our Process

How We Work With You

We’re here to make getting legal help as easy, respectful, and supportive as possible. Here’s what you can expect when you connect with us:

Step 1: Reach Out to Us

Connect with us online anytime or by phone during business hours. Our paralegal will talk with you about your situation and help determine whether we can assist you.

Contact Us by Phone 
Call us at 772-410-4002 
Monday – Friday | 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
(Holidays Excluded) 

Online Form – 24/7 Access 
Fill out our secure online Get Help Form anytime. Once we receive it, someone from our team will contact you within 5 business days to schedule a time to talk. If your issue is urgent or not listed on the form, please call 772-410-4002 to speak directly with our paralegal.   *Please note: We are able to accept walk-ins. If you have an emergency, please try to call before coming to the office.

Step 2: Next Up – Your Appointment

Once we receive your application, we’ll schedule an appointment for you with the right team member—either an attorney or our staff paralegal.

Step 3: Prepare for Your Appointment

To help us help you, please bring:

Info about household income and expenses
Any paperwork related to your legal issue (court forms, leases, contracts, etc.)
Names and contact information of the people involved

We will go over your information with you and complete your application. If you need to cancel, please let us know as early as possible so we can offer the time slot to another client. We’ll gladly reschedule you for the next available time.

Step 4: What Happens Next

After your appointment, your issue will be reviewed by one of our attorneys. You’ll hear back from us within 3 to 5 business days at the contact info you provided. We’ll let you know:

Whether we can take your case
Which attorney or staff member will be working with you
Your next steps

We’re Here for You
While we encourage you to call first, we do accept walk-ins. If you’re facing an emergency, we recommend calling ahead to be sure someone is available to help you right away. We’re dedicated to justice—and committed to you. 

Everyone is Welcome 
We treat all applicants with dignity and respect. No one is turned away based on race, gender, religion, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Ready to get started? 

Start with our quick, confidential intake so we can connect you with the support you need.

Client Stories

Legal Aid in Action

Safe Housing Through Legal Aid + Community Help.

 Two sisters in the Gifford community were living in terrible conditions. Their home had broken windows, mold on the walls, and even mushrooms growing inside. The air smelled so bad it made them sick. They paid their rent every month, but the landlord refused to make repairs. Finally, the home became so unsafe they had to leave. That’s when help arrived. Our attorney explained their rights, called the landlord, and made sure they had a safe place to stay. At the same time, a local partner agency stepped in with emergency funds so the sisters could pay a deposit on a clean, safe home in their community. 

This is the power of working together: legal aid + community partners = safety and hope.

Securing His Family’s Legacy.

 When George needed to transfer the deed of his family home after a relative passed away, he felt lost in the maze of probate law. A volunteer attorney stepped in, patiently guiding him through every step—locating heirs, filing the right documents, and finally securing legal title. What once felt impossible became a victory, giving George peace of mind and preserving his family’s legacy for the future.

Justice After Decades of Burden.

 For 19 years, two brothers carried the heavy weight of paying down a lien tied to a decades-old accident. Month after month, they paid faithfully, never realizing the debt was riddled with accounting errors. That changed when GLSC’s paralegal uncovered the mistakes and a pro bono attorney fought to set things right. In the end, the brothers received a $10,000 reimbursement—restoring not just their finances, but their faith that fairness can prevail.

From Crisis to Stability.

When Ms. L. walked into our office, she was overwhelmed and afraid. She had just lost her job unexpectedly and was facing immediate eviction. With nowhere else to turn, she came to us in search of help—and hope.

Within days, a volunteer attorney stepped in. They helped Ms. L. understand her rights, opened a line of communication with her landlord, and successfully negotiated a resolution that allowed her to remain in her home.

Ms. L. story is not unique. At Indian River Legal Aid, we work to ensure that no one is denied access to justice because they cannot afford it.

United Against Poverty | 1400 27th Street | Vero Beach, FL 32960