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EnglishHow to Get Free Legal Answers from an Attorney Through Indiana Legal Help
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Indiana Legal Help offers a "Free Legal Answers" feature that lets you email a legal question to an attorney at no cost. On the site's homepage, look for the "Free Legal Answers" link (it opens in a new window) under the heading "Helping Hoosiers Find Legal Help." This route suits people who have a specific civil legal question and can wait for a written reply, rather than those who need same-day, in-person guidance.
What Free Legal Answers Is
Free Legal Answers is a written-advice channel. You submit a legal question, and a volunteer attorney responds by email. The site describes it as a way to "email an attorney for free legal advice."
It is not a full-representation service. The attorney answers your question; they do not take your case, file documents for you, or appear in court on your behalf. If your situation needs ongoing representation, this feature is a starting point, not a substitute for a lawyer.
Who This Fits
Free Legal Answers works best when:
- You have a specific, answerable question — for example, how a filing fee waiver works, what a continuance form is for, or what steps follow after a case is filed.
- You are handling your case yourself (a self-represented litigant) and need direction on a form or procedure.
- You can describe your situation in writing and wait for a reply.
- Your issue falls within a civil legal topic the site covers.
It fits less well when you need urgent protection, an emergency hearing, or someone to stand next to you in court.
Topics You Can Ask About
The site organizes legal help by topic, which also signals the range of questions Free Legal Answers can address:
| Category | Examples of subtopics |
|---|---|
| Housing | Foreclosure, rent and eviction |
| Family and Safety | Adult guardianship, child custody, child support, contempt, divorce, domestic violence/protection order, minor child guardianship, name change, parenting time, paternity, relocation |
| Money and Estate | Debt, estate |
| Military, Immigration, and Employment | Discrimination at work, immigration, military and veteran assistance |
| Driving and Expungement | Driving, expungement |
| Other Legal Issues | Consumer issues |
If your question fits one of these areas, it is a candidate for the email-advice route.
Free Legal Answers vs. Attending a Clinic
The site offers two distinct ways to reach an attorney. Choosing between them depends on how you prefer to communicate and how quickly you need an answer.
| Free Legal Answers | Calendar of Events (clinics) | |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Written question, emailed reply | In-person clinic where you speak with an attorney |
| Best for | A defined question you can put in writing | Situations where talking it through helps, or you want same-session guidance |
| Timing | You wait for a written response | Tied to the clinic's scheduled date |
| Access point | "Free Legal Answers" link on the homepage | "Calendar of Events" section — "Attend an upcoming clinic to speak with an attorney" |
If your question is straightforward and you are comfortable writing it out, Free Legal Answers is the lower-friction option. If you would rather explain your situation face to face, check the Calendar of Events for an upcoming clinic.
Getting Started
- Go to indianalegalhelp.org.
- On the homepage, find the "Free Legal Answers" link (marked as opening in a new window).
- Follow it to submit your legal question by email.
- Wait for a volunteer attorney's written reply.
If you are not sure which topic your question belongs to, browse the "Legal Topics" section first — it lists the categories above and can help you frame your question clearly before you send it.
Related Resources on the Site
While you wait for an answer, the site's Quick Links section covers common needs that often come up alongside a legal question:
- Commonly Used Forms — contempt, continuance, fee waiver, virtual hearing, and appearance forms.
- After a Case Is Filed — information you may need once your case is with the court.
- Filing Fee FAQ and Service FAQ — answers on filing fees and how to serve your court forms.
- Indiana County Court Local Rules — local rules for your county.
- Glossary of Legal Terms — plain-language definitions of terms used on the site.
These are self-help materials, not legal advice, but they pair well with a Free Legal Answers question — you can read up on the procedure and then ask an attorney to confirm your understanding.