Free and low-cost legal advice

Legal matters have a way of feeling both daunting and expensive, but they need not be either. Whether you are thinking about making a will, setting up a power of attorney, sorting out a problem with your benefits or your housing, or dealing with a loved one's affairs after they have died, there is a surprising amount of free and low-cost help available. This page explains where to turn, and how to keep the cost down.

Start with free advice

Many problems can be sorted out with free advice, without ever needing to pay a solicitor. Citizens Advice is a good first stop, offering free, confidential help on benefits, debt, housing, consumer matters and more, and they can also tell you whether you might qualify for legal aid. Here in our area, Derbyshire Law Centre, based in Chesterfield, gives free legal advice to people living in Derbyshire, and you can reach them on 0800 707 6990 or 01246 550 674.

Help with legal costs: legal aid

If your case is serious and you are on a low income, legal aid may pay towards the cost of legal advice or representation. It is not available for everything, but it can help with certain matters, such as some housing and homelessness problems, debt where your home is at risk, community care, discrimination, and family situations involving domestic abuse. To check whether you qualify, call the Civil Legal Advice helpline on 0345 345 4345, or use the checker at gov.uk/check-legal-aid.

Free and fixed-fee help from solicitors

Even where you do need a solicitor, it need not cost a fortune. Many offer a free first appointment of around half an hour, or a fixed fee, so you know exactly what you will pay before you commit to anything. For some services, such as dealing with an estate, solicitors are required to publish their prices, which makes it easier to compare. Free legal advice clinics also run in many areas, and you can find your nearest through LawWorks.

Making a will and a power of attorney

Two of the most worthwhile things you can sort out are a will and a Lasting Power of Attorney. A will makes sure your wishes are followed and your loved ones are looked after, while a power of attorney lets someone you trust make decisions about your money or your health if you ever become unable to yourself. There is a fee to register a power of attorney, although you may pay less, or nothing at all, if you are on a low income or receive certain benefits, and you can check the current amount at gov.uk. There are also kind ways to keep the cost of a will down: schemes such as Will Aid and Free Wills Month allow you to have a simple will written by a participating solicitor, either free of charge or in exchange for a donation to charity, at certain times of the year.

Finding a solicitor you can trust

If you do choose to use a solicitor, it is worth finding the right one. The Law Society's Find a Solicitor service lets you search by the type of help you need, and Solicitors for the Elderly is a group of solicitors who specialise in matters affecting older people. Always check that a solicitor is properly regulated, which you can do on the Solicitors Regulation Authority's register, and do be wary of unregulated will-writers, or firms that contact you out of the blue. Our guides on spotting and stopping scams and on recognising financial abuse have more on staying safe.

Specialist help for particular problems

Some issues have their own dedicated, free advice services. For benefits appeals, the Derbyshire Welfare Rights Service can help. For housing worries, Shelter has a free helpline. For debt, National Debtline and StepChange both offer free, confidential advice. And if you care for someone, Derbyshire Carers Association runs a free legal clinic covering wills, powers of attorney and care fees.

Peace of mind

Getting these things in order, whether a will, a power of attorney, or a benefits problem finally put right, can lift a real weight off your mind, and it is a kindness to your family too. If you are not sure where to begin, the services below will gladly point you the right way.

Where to get help, locally and nationally

Close to home, across Chesterfield, Bolsover and North East Derbyshire:

• Derbyshire Law Centre, on 0800 707 6990 or 01246 550 674, for free legal advice if you live in Derbyshire.
• Citizens Advice, for free advice on benefits, debt, housing and more. For Bolsover and North East Derbyshire, call 0808 250 5702.
• The Derbyshire Welfare Rights Service, on 01629 531535, for help with benefits appeals.
• Derbyshire Carers Association, on 01773 833833, for its free legal clinic for carers.

Across the country:

• The Civil Legal Advice helpline, on 0345 345 4345, to check whether you qualify for legal aid.
• LawWorks, to find a free legal advice clinic near you.
• The Law Society's Find a Solicitor service, and the Solicitors Regulation Authority register to check a solicitor is regulated.
• Solicitors for the Elderly, to find a solicitor who specialises in older people's law.