Miami-Dade County Legal Aid Society
We provide free civil legal services to qualifying low-income residents of Miami-Dade County in the areas of family law, personal safety, domestic violence, protective and corrective security, community and legal stability, health, shelter, bankruptcy, collections, unfair sales, probate, patent and nonprofit. If you are in need of assistance, you may apply online below or call (305)-579-5733 for a listing of departments. Legal aid services are offered in English, Spanish, and Creole.
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (Excluding Holidays)
Ph: (305) 579-5733 Ext. 2222
Please Note that we DO NOT handle any Modifications, Re-opening of cases or Post Judgement matters.
Available Services to qualifying clients in the following areas of law:
Family
Apply Here for Divorce, Paternity, Custody, Adoption, and more.
Domestic Violence
Apply Here for Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault issues, and more.
Child Advocacy
Apply Here for Child Advocacy, Guardian Ad Litem, and more.
Guardianship
Apply Here for Guardianship, Probate, Veterans, and more.
Bankruptcy
Apply Here for Bankruptcy or Collections.
Housing
Apply Here for Housing, Foreclosures, Deeds, and more.
Nonprofit
Apply Here for Nonprofit, Patent, Startups, Taxation, and more.
Disasters
Apply Here for Eviction, Insurance Claims, Disasters, and more.
More Information
Put Something Back Pro Bono Project ("PSB")
The Official Pro Bono Project of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, PSB is the pro bono department of Dade Legal Aid that matches thousands of pre-screened income eligible clients with pro bono attorneys volunteering to help low-income individuals and families in need of civil legal assistance. *To be eligible for free services, a client's income may not exceed 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. An organization may qualify for free services if it is primarily comprised of eligible clients and does not have funding in its budget to pay an attorney. Put Something Back assists clients with Bankruptcy, Collections, Consumer, Housing, Domestic Violence, Family, Probate, Real Property, Will Drafting and other Civil matters, and a variety of projects. Individuals may apply online or call 305-579-5733 ext. 2222 to see if you qualify for a free attorney.
*150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines: For example, if the Federal Poverty Guidelines determine that a single individual’s poverty line is $15,000 per year, then 150% of that would be $22,500. This means that a client’s income could be up to $22,500 and still qualify for the free services.
Frequently Asked Questions for Pro Bono
How does the program work?
A: Put Something Back “PSB” accepts applications online at www.dadelegalaid.org and through a secure telephonic intake system 305-579-5733. Clients are screened by Legal Aid staff and volunteers via phone and online. If you are income eligible and qualify for the program’s services, and PSB has located an available pro bono attorney to handle your case, PSB will notify you by mail or email. PSB does not handle fee generating cases, traffic cases, criminal cases, or cases where someone is suing another party for damages. The project does not accept emergencies.
Who can receive free legal assistance through Put Something Back?
A: You may be eligible for free legal assistance through Put Something Back if:
- Your household income is not greater than 150% of the federal poverty guidelines
- You are a resident of Miami-Dade County
- You have a civil legal matter that is handled by Put Something Back’s volunteer attorneys.
To find out if you may qualify for free legal assistance through this program, you must apply and be screened by the program. If you have already applied and been advised that you do not qualify or we are unable to assist you, you will be referred to anther program that may be able to assist you. We cannot serve everyone who applies and do not take any responsibility for your case.
What type of legal matters are and are not handled by this program?
A: In general, the following civil court matters are handled by Put Something Back’s volunteer attorneys: guardian ad litem, family matters, domestic violence cases for individuals seeking injunctions for protection, probate, will drafting, consumer, bankruptcy, and real property. Put Something Back coordinates the “Wills on Wheels” Program, which assists the homebound, incapacitated and elderly of our community who need help in the preparation of their Wills, but are unable to travel. Cases that are not handled by the program include: Criminal, juvenile delinquency, personal injury, and traffic cases; civil cases where you are suing for money; small claims court cases, cases that can be settled by existing court mediation programs, such as landlord/tenant mediation; child support enforcement cases processed by the State Attorney’s Office; and any emergency matter that needs legal attention within 21 days of applying for the program. To find out if your particular case qualifies, you must be screened by program staff.
Where do I apply for the program's services?
A: The fastest and easiest way to apply is on line www.dadelegalaid.org.
What do I need to apply for the program's services?
A: Please be prepared to provide upon request the following information to verify that you qualify for the program:
- Proof of residency of Miami-Dade County such as driver’s license, passport or resident card;
- If you or other members of your household are employed, copies of pay stubs or letters from employers stating incomes. If you or other members of your household are self-employed, notarized affidavits explaining the nature of the work and income;
- If you or other members of your household receive any public assistance, social security or other documents to verify the amount of benefits;
- Any other legal papers or other documents which will assist program staff in determining the type of legal assistance needed. If you misrepresent your income or the nature of your case, you may be rejected by the referral attorney. If your economic circumstances change at any time, you must notify the program’s staff immediately.
If I qualify for the program's free legal services, will I be responsible for paying any costs?
A: Although your attorney’s services will be free, you may have to pay for depositions, expert witnesses and other costs, depending on the type and complexity of your case.
If a person does not speak English, when is an interpreter needed?
A: Put Something Back staff can assist clients in Spanish and Creole. However, when meeting with an attorney assigned to the case, persons who do not speak English may be asked to bring someone to translate for them. Although program staff try to match non-English speaking clients with attorneys who speak their language, this is not always possible.
If I don't qualify for the program's free legal services, who may I contact for legal assistance?
A: If you do not qualify under the program guidelines, or have a case that is not handled by the program, intake staff will direct you to another program which may be able to assist you such as the Miami-Dade Bar Lawyer Referral 1-888-305-LAW-1 which provides referrals to private attorneys or visit or visit Miamidadebar.org. You may also visit https://lrs.flabar.org. Information for Public Defender clients and their families can be found at http://www.pdmiami.com
For further information about Put Something Back, who do I call?
A: To reach Dade Legal Aid call (305) 579-5733 ext. 2252.
NOTE: If you are a person with a disability and need assistance in contacting the office, please call the ADA Coordinator at Florida Relay Services by dialing 1-800-955-8771 (TDD). Ask to be connected to the Put Something Back Project at telephone number (305) 579-5733 ext. 2222 or you may email Kmachado@dadelegalaid.org.
If I am a person with a disability and need assistance, who do I call?
A: If you are a person with a disability and need assistance in appearing in court or participating in a court program or service, please contact the Court ADA Coordinator, at: Voicemail: (305) 349-7175 TDD: (305) 349-7174 Fax No: (305) 349-7355.
If you are a person with a disability and need assistance in contacting the Put Something Back office, please call the ADA Coordinator at Florida Relay Services by dialing 1-800-955-8771 (TDD). Ask to be connected to the Put Something Back project at telephone number (305) 579-579-5733 ext.. 2222.
If I am an existing client with questions or concerns about my case, how do I notify the agency or my attorney?
A: If you are already a client and have questions or concerns about your case, please contact your attorney directly or click here to submit your concerns. All concerns will be reviewed by a Supervisor or Panel who will get back to you within 7 business days. Filling out this form will in no way jeopardize your case.