Legal Clinics
In some communities there are "legal clinics." These clinics are designed to assist you with relatively simple matters - such as a routine will or an uncontested divorce - often at lower than average rates. They are able to charge less by working on a volume basis with paralegal assistance to perform routine, but important services.

Legal Aid and Defender Offices
In numerous cities Legal Aid and Defender offices assist without cost, or at a nominal fee, persons who cannot pay a lawyer. Advice is given by Legal Aid in three main areas of legal work: small money claims for wages; disputes between the client and a lender, installment seller or landlord; and domestic relations matters. Defender offices handle criminal cases.

Prepaid Legal Insurance
To improve public access to justice, there is a relatively new, but rapidly growing development - prepaid legal services. Group prepaid programs, usually available through employers or unions, provide legal services - such as free consultations and advice, with prescribed fees for follow-up services - in exchange for regular payments from members of the group. It's similar to medical insurance - you pay a small amount of money regularly so that you don't face the possibility of being severely damaged financially if serious legal problems arise. All programs, however, encourage clients to come in early - to practice preventive law - so potential legal problems can be resolved before they reach a costly stage. These programs, unlike medical insurance, are generally available only to groups - not to individuals.

Small Claims Court
These courts, called the "people's courts," offer citizens the chance to resolve minor disputes without the need for lawyers. Also called "conciliation court" or "magistrate's court" in some cities and states, most small claims courts limit their cases to those involving claims up to $500. A few courts will hear disputes that involve as much as $5000.  In most small claims courts, anyone with a grievance can bring suit for a filing cost of a few dollars. However, you should file suit only after you have exhausted other avenues for redress, for example, writing directly to the person or company involved in your complaint or discussing the matter with the Better Business Bureau.  The small claims court is listed in the telephone book under city or county court listings. You can call and ask the county clerk for instructions about filing your claims; or, call your city or county bar association.