We provide free legal assistance to: eligible low-income individuals or families (our top priority are those with incomes at 200% of the FPL and below), people with disabilities, seniors age 60 and over, and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, trafficking or other abuse who are residing in Santa Barbara County.
We provide services in the following areas of law:
- Unlawful Detainer (Eviction) (Proof of income required)
- Advice and negotiation for tenants impacted by COVID-19 (Proof of income required)
- Fair Housing/Housing Discrimination (Proof of income required)
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders & Related Services (no income guideline)
- Elder Abuse Restraining Orders & Related Services (no income guideline)
- Immigration Assistance for Victims of Crimes (U-Visa, T-VISA, VAWA self-petition, SIJs)
- Guardianship & Conservatorship (of the person only) (Only in Lompoc/ Santa Maria locations) (Proof of income required)
- Financial Abuse/Exploitation of Seniors (Age 60+) (no income guideline)
- Consumer Protection – assisting with consumer fraud, debt collection, foreclosure, scams, and other related matters (proof of income required)
Potential clients may call, submit an intake form online, or visit us during business hours to apply for service. See our Locations page for the locations, hours & contact information for the Legal Aid offices.
Additional Assistance
Additional assistance is offered outside of our main offices and normal business hours via the following programs:
Consumer Debt and Bankruptcy Clinic
Volunteer lawyers provide no-cost information about Chapter 7 bankruptcy, bankruptcy forms, and referrals for other consumer debt issues. Customers are assisted on first-come, first-served basis.
Volunteer lawyers provide no-cost information about Chapter 7 bankruptcy, bankruptcy forms, and referrals for other consumer debt issues. Customers are assisted on first-come, first-served basis.
Consumer Debt & Bankruptcy Clinic
Clínica Gratuita de Bancarrota y Deuda del Consumidor
Fridays 10:00am-12:00pm (excluding court holidays)
1st & 3rd Friday of Every Month: conducted in person at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, 1415 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101.
All Other Fridays: service by phone only. Please call (805) 242-3104 during regular clinic hours to speak to a pro bono attorney or use the link below to sign up for an appointment.
Select the link below to sign up for an appointment for the Consumer Debt & Bankruptcy Clinic.
http://bkclinic.timetap.com
For more information about becoming a volunteer attorney for our Consumer Debt & Bankruptcy Clinic, please contact Kate Lee at (805) 963-6754, ext. 116 or klee@lafsbc.org
Senior Outreach
(Santa Barbara)
For clients 60 years of age or older, an attorney is available for advice and information during a 30-minute consultation by appointment only on:
1st & 3rd Thursdays: 10:15am, 10:45am, and 11:15am. for telephone consultations, only.
Every Wednesday: 10:15am, 10:45am, and 11:15 am, for in-person consultations, only.
Please call 805-963-6754 to schedule an appointment.
Project Outreach
(Santa Barbara & Goleta)
Volunteer lawyers provide “advice only” outreach for civil (not criminal) matters at various community centers. Clients are assisted over the phone by appointment only.
Volunteer lawyers provide “advice only” outreach for civil (not criminal) matters at various community centers. Clients are assisted over the phone by appointment only. The current hours of operation and locations are:
Goleta Valley Community Center (Civil Law)
5679 Hollister Ave Goleta, Goleta, CA 93117
Wednesdays & Thursdays from 3-6pm
Please call 805-779-1404 to schedule an in person or teleconference appointment
Franklin Neighborhood Center (Immigration Law)
Tuesdays, 4-6pm
1136 E. Montecito St.
Santa Barbara, CA
805-568-2099
Co-Sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation
Westside Neighborhood Center
Thursdays, 5-6:30pm
Consumer Law & Landlord / Tenant Law
Please call 805-779-1404 to schedule a phone appointment.
Co-Sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation
Legal Resource Center (Self-Help Services)
(Santa Barbara, Lompoc & Santa Maria)
The Legal Resource Center of Santa Barbara County is staffed by a California licensed attorney, and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Legal Resource Center of Santa Barbara County is staffed by a California licensed attorney, and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Self-help assistance is offered in the completion of legal and court documents for various civil matters and infractions, and in properly presenting your case to the court.
- General Civil
- Small Claims Court
- Collecting a Judgment
- Unlawful Detainer
- Guardianship
- Adoption
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders & Responses
- Civil Anti-Harassment Restraining Orders & Responses
- Landlord/Tenant
- Collections
- Name Changes
For more information, visit www.sbcourts.org/sh/lrc.
Please see our Contact & Locations page for the locations, hours & contact information for our courthouse Legal Resource Centers.
