To be eligible for our services, you must meet our income and asset requirements. To apply for assistance you will need to make an application for services. You can make an application by telephone, online application, or meeting with an LSND representative at an outreach location.
When calling, please try to have any paperwork related to your case in front of you. If you are not a citizen, you will need to provide proof of your immigration status if your case is accepted. Legal Services of North Dakota does not provide representation in criminal matters. If you have been charged with a crime and need a lawyer, please call the public defender’s office. We do not provide representation if you are incarcerated and need a lawyer, even for non-criminal matters. We do not provide representation in worker’s compensation cases, personal injury claims, or any cases in which a fee can be generated by a private attorney. For those types of cases, you should call a private attorney in your local area.
If you disagree with our decision that you are not eligible or your case is not one that can be accepted, you have the right to appeal to our Executive Director. To make your appeal, call or write to:
Executive Director
C/O Audrey Solheim
Legal Services of ND
PO Box 1893
Bismarck ND 58502-1893
Phone: (701) 222-2110
If you are age 60 or over, you can call 1-866-621-9886. Our hours for seniors are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Legal Services of North Dakota (LSND) is closed on major holidays.
There may be a wait before you can speak with someone if you call during the busiest times. Your wait will likely be shortest if you call in the early morning or late afternoon and in the middle of the week.
The first person you will speak with will be an intake worker who will ask you for basic information such as your full name, your date of birth, zip code, and the opposing party's name. This information is necessary for us to determine whether there is any reason we cannot help you because, for instance, we have already assisted your opposing party on a similar matter.
Next, the intake worker will ask you for your address, telephone numbers where you can be reached, and information about your household's income. Your household includes everyone living with you. Household income includes what every member of you household receives in a typical month.
Once you provide this information, the intake worker will ask you about your legal problem. Based upon all the information you give us, the intake worker may tell you that we cannot assist you with your problem because your income is too high or because we do not provide help with the type of problem you have. The intake worker might give you a referral to another organization or mail one of our self-help brochures to you. Some problems can be resolved over the telephone. Eligible clients with more complex legal matters are referred to a staff attorney or paralegal for further assistance and/or representation.
Our intake workers may need to consult with an attorney and may need to call you back.
We only accept applications over the phone or online.
To be eligible for our services, you must meet our income and asset requirements.
Call our Central Intake phone number, 1-800-634-5263. Central Intake is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Central Intake is closed every other Friday and on major holidays.
There may be a wait before you can speak with someone, perhaps as long as 20 minutes if you call during the busiest times. Your wait will likely be shortest if you call in the late morning or early afternoon and in the middle of the week.
The first person you will speak with will be an intake worker who will ask you for basic information such as your full name, your date of birth, zip code, and the opposing party's name. This information is necessary for us to determine whether there is any reason we cannot help you because, for instance, we have already assisted your opposing party on a similar matter.
Next, the intake worker will ask for your address, telephone numbers where you can be reached, and information about your household's income. your household includes everyone living with you. Household income includes what every member of your household receives in a typical month.
One you provide this information, the intake worker will ask about your legal problem. Based upon all the information you give us, the intake worker may tell you that we cannot assist you with your problem because your income is too high or because we do not provide help with the type of problem you have. The intake worker might give you a referral to another organization or mail one of our self-help brochures to you. Some problems can be resolved over the telephone. Eligible clients with more complex legal matters are referred to a staff attorney or paralegal for further assistance and/or representation.
Our intake workers may need to consult with an attorney and may need to call you back. We only accept applications over the phone or online.
