If you have a family law matter or cannot complete the online application, please call us. Intake hours are Monday through Thursday, 9am-12pm.
410-547-6537 (Baltimore Area) 800-510-0050MVLS provides pro bono legal representation to Marylanders with limited income in civil legal matters. To qualify for services, you should check that you meet income, case type and geographic guidelines. If you are eligible, you will be matched with a volunteer who has the skill and expertise to provide quality legal representation to you for the life of your case.
Services are provided in every county, except Allegany, Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George’s, Queen Anne, and Talbot counties (with some exceptions).
Gross household income (money earned before anything is taken out for taxes or other deductions) may not exceed 50% of the Maryland median income.
Check My Eligibility
Call us Monday – Thursday from 9am-12pm or apply online to complete our intake process. If you have a family law case (such as custody, divorce, guardianship, etc.) you must call to complete an intake. We will determine if you are eligible and send you an application the same day.
You must complete all application questions and submit all required documents listed on the cover page. If applying online, this list will appear at the end of the application under ‘Next Steps’. Submit your application via: Mail: 201 N. Charles Street, Ste. 1400, Baltimore, MD 21201; Email: mvlsparalegalteam@mvlslaw.org; or Fax: Look for the fax number at the bottom of your application cover page. Allow 30 days for your application to be reviewed. If you have a court date scheduled within 45 days, you must contact the court to request a postponement. Postponements are granted at the court’s discretion. IMPORTANT: Failure to provide all requested information on the application and supporting documents will delay processing time. Click here for a list of commonly required documents.
We will review your application and contact you via letter and/or email to let you know if you are eligible for our services, request more information, or that we’ve opened your case. To check your case status please click here. If your contact information has changed or you would like to opt into text message notifications please click here.
Our Legal Advocates will search for a volunteer to assist you based on your legal issue and county where your case is located. Please note that case placements are not immediate or guaranteed and are based on the availability of our volunteers. During this process, you remain solely responsible for your case, including complying with deadlines, and court orders. While you are waiting for a volunteer, you may be able to get advice through these other resources please click here.
You will receive the volunteer’s contact information by mail and/or email. With your permission, we will also send a text alert notifying you when your case has been placed with a volunteer. Please contact your volunteer within FIVE business days to schedule your first appointment. If you have trouble reaching your volunteer, please contact the Legal Advocate assigned to your case. Their contact information will be on your referral letter.
Our Human Trafficking Prevention Project (HTPP) staff and volunteers provide free legal representation to survivors of trafficking and other clients who have traded sex or experienced domestic violence, sexual abuse, housing instability, and other types of trauma or inequities that make them more vulnerable to exploitation. The HTPP can assist with criminal record relief, family law matters, consumer debt, name and gender marker change, tax controversy, and other civil legal issues.
Our My Home, My Deed, My Legacy Program helps primarily Baltimore City residents use legal tools and secure resources to protect their house in the short and long term. MVLS conducts significant community outreach and public awareness campaigns about the need to ensure that homeowners’ names are on the deed to their home so they can secure benefits like the Homeowners’ Property Tax Credit, water credits and access to home repair programs. Look for upcoming My Home, My Deed, My Legacy clinics on our events page.
Next StepsView additional resources which may be available to you.
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