JustLegal

Choose the scope of help

Ask a Lawyer: Q&A & Quick Consultations

Understand what you’re buying, what remains your responsibility, and when a different kind of help may be needed.

Compare Ways to Get Legal Help →Document & Contract Review →Prepaid Legal Plans & Memberships →Legal Document Templates & Form Libraries →Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning →Business Formation: LLCs & Incorporations →Demand Letters & Small Claims Court →

What this does

Short-format legal advice designed to answer discrete legal questions, decode statutory rules, or give you a quick second opinion.

Need help for a specific problem? Start here →

Before you pay

Ask for the scope and total price in writing: the task, who will do it, what you receive, and whether revisions or a court appearance are included.

Price ranges & billing expectations

$0 for public forums (Avvo) and pro bono clinics (ABA); $25–$50 for state bar 30-minute consultations; $39.95/mo for on-call plan memberships.

These are directory estimates, not quotes. Geography, complexity and provider terms change the price. A retainer may be an advance against future bills, rather than the final cost.

Compare providers & scope

Listed prices · confirm directly

Avvo Legal

$0 (Free)

Post a legal question to licensed attorneys in your state

Attorney involvement listed · No court appearance included
Scope, costs & limitations

Service: Free Public Q&A

Public question posted to Avvo's attorney board. Multiple local lawyers typically provide short written answers within 24–48 hours.

May be useful for

  • Checking whether a situation is actually a legal issue
  • Understanding general state statutory guidelines
  • Getting initial issue-spotting from multiple perspectives

Not included

  • Confidential attorney-client privilege
  • Document or contract review
  • Direct court representation or filing

Directory-listed price: $0 (Free) · Billing: one-time. Confirm the current price, eligibility and scope directly.

Your question is public and indexed by search engines. Never include real names, phone numbers, or confidential case admissions.

When another kind of help may be needed

  • contested-litigation
  • confidential-sensitive-facts
  • hearing-within-7-days
Directory check recorded: 2026-09-13. This is not a live quote or an endorsement.
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ABA Free Legal Answers

$0 (Free)

Confidential civil legal advice for income-qualifying individuals

Attorney involvement listed · No court appearance included
Scope, costs & limitations

Service: Pro Bono Virtual Clinic

Private online legal consultation. A licensed volunteer attorney in your state reviews your question and replies securely.

May be useful for

  • Low-income individuals who cannot afford an attorney
  • Specific civil questions about eviction notices, debts, or divorce
  • Confidential questions where public posting is unsafe

Not included

  • Criminal law issues (civil matters only)
  • Fee disputes or business commercial disputes
  • Court appearances

Directory-listed price: $0 (Free) · Billing: one-time. Confirm the current price, eligibility and scope directly.

You must pass state financial eligibility screening (generally income under 250% of federal poverty guidelines).

When another kind of help may be needed

  • income-exceeds-threshold
  • criminal-charge
  • immediate-court-deadline
Directory check recorded: 2026-09-13. This is not a live quote or an endorsement.
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LegalShield

$39.95 / month

Dedicated state law firm on call for advice, letters, and reviews

Attorney involvement listed · No court appearance included
Scope, costs & limitations

Service: Prepaid Law Firm Access

Unlimited phone consultations on new personal legal matters, document review up to 15 pages per document, and attorney-written demand letters or phone calls to third parties.

May be useful for

  • Sending a formal attorney demand letter to a stubborn landlord or contractor
  • Reviewing a lease, severance agreement, or loan contract before signing
  • Having an actual law firm to call when legal questions arise

Not included

  • Pre-existing lawsuits filed before joining
  • Courtroom representation in the base plan (offered at 25% discount off hourly rates)
  • Business or commercial litigation

Directory-listed price: $39.95 / month · Billing: month. Confirm the current price, eligibility and scope directly.

Cancel anytime before your next monthly renewal date. Demand letters require the assigned attorney's professional judgment.

When another kind of help may be needed

  • lawsuit-already-filed-against-you
  • contested-trial-next-week
Directory check recorded: 2026-09-13. This is not a live quote or an endorsement.
Visit website

JustAnswer Legal

$5 trial, then $46–$80 / month

24/7 on-demand web chat with verified legal professionals

Attorney involvement listed · No court appearance included
Scope, costs & limitations

Service: 24/7 Chat Q&A

Live web chat with attorneys to ask questions and receive written responses.

May be useful for

  • Urgent late-night or weekend questions when law offices are closed
  • Quick statutory or procedural reality-checks

Not included

  • Attorney-client privilege or legal representation
  • Document preparation or filing
  • Court appearances

Directory-listed price: $5 trial, then $46–$80 / month · Billing: month. Confirm the current price, eligibility and scope directly.

CRITICAL BILLING NOTICE: The FTC filed a federal lawsuit in 2026 alleging deceptive recurring monthly enrollment practices. Trial fees automatically renew as expensive recurring monthly charges unless cancelled immediately.

When another kind of help may be needed

  • need-confidentiality
  • court-case-filed
Directory check recorded: 2026-09-13. This is not a live quote or an endorsement.
Visit website

Make an informed choice

Advantages
  • Fast answers (often within hours) without setting foot in a law office
  • Inexpensive way to verify whether you have a legitimate legal claim
  • Helps you spot critical deadlines or missing evidence early
Limitations
  • The lawyer will not represent you in court or negotiate with the other party
  • Public forums are NOT confidential
  • Cannot analyze complex 50-page evidence binders in a quick chat
Billing & other things to check
  • FTC Warning: Some chat services (like JustAnswer) advertise $5 trials that automatically enroll users in recurring $46–$80 monthly memberships
  • Never post identifying details (names, badge numbers, dates of birth) on public Q&A forums
Questions to ask before agreeing
  • What is the exact statute of limitations for my type of claim?
  • What is the first step my local court requires before filing a lawsuit?
  • Can I recover court costs if I win?
When to ask about representation
  • You were served with a court summons and an answer is due within 10 days
  • A judge ordered a formal deposition or evidentiary hearing
Free tools & other routes

Check your state court's official self-help center and statutory codes for free before spending money.

Explore court & self-help tools →

For legal aid or referrals, choose your state from Find legal help.

JustLegal provides free educational information and organization tools. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice or representation. Providers decide eligibility, availability, fees, and whether to accept a matter.