Legal aid in the United States is delivered through Legal Services Corporation (LSC)-funded nonprofits, law school clinics, pro bono panels, and court self-help centers. Most programs serve women at or below 125–200% of the Federal Poverty Level and handle family law, housing, public benefits, immigration, and protective orders. The American Bar Association's Commission on Women in the Profession and the National Women's Law Center supplement local services. For women, the most common legal aid needs are custody, divorce, child support, VAWA-based immigration relief, and DV protective orders — all areas LSC grantees regularly handle. This directory aggregates state legal aid offices, women's legal clinics, and bar referral panels.
Virginia has Juvenile and Domestic Relations Courts handling custody, visitation, and child support (for unmarried parents and modifications), plus Circuit Courts handling divorce. The Division of Child Support Enforcement operates under DSS. Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Richmond, Arlington, and Alexandria are the largest cities. Central Virginia Legal Aid and the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance serve women.
LSNV at 6400 Arlington Blvd Suite 630 in Falls Church serves Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties with free civil legal help for women in family law, housing, and immigration cases. Call (703) 778-6800 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; income cap at 125% FPL with limited exceptions for survivors.
(703) 778-6800 · 6400 Arlington Blvd Suite 630, Falls Church, VA 22042 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
CVLAS at 101 W Broad St Suite 101 in Richmond covers the city of Richmond and surrounding counties with free help on protective orders, custody, eviction defense, and SNAP/Medicaid appeals. Phone intake (804) 648-1012 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; survivors of domestic violence skip the income screen.
(804) 648-1012 · 101 W Broad St Suite 101, Richmond, VA 23220 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Virginia Legal Aid Society at 214 E High St in Charlottesville covers central Virginia including Lynchburg, Farmville, Suffolk, and Emporia offices. Practice areas include family law, public benefits, and housing for low-income women. Apply at (757) 539-5112 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
(757) 539-5112 · 214 E High St, Charlottesville, VA 22902 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Blue Ridge Legal Services at 204 N Augusta St in Staunton serves Virginia's Shenandoah Valley (Augusta, Bath, Highland, Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham, and Shenandoah counties) with free legal aid for low-income women in family, housing, and benefit cases. (540) 433-1830 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
(540) 433-1830 · 204 N Augusta St, Staunton, VA 24401 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
VALawHelp.org is the statewide self-help portal with Virginia-specific forms and instructions for protective orders, custody, expungement, and Medicaid appeals — available 24/7 with no account needed. Routes to the right legal-aid office by zip code.
Online resource · 24/7 online
VPLC at 919 E Main St Suite 610 in Richmond is the statewide back-up center providing technical assistance and impact litigation. Direct services come from the four LSC-funded programs, but VPLC's housing and benefits hotlines (804) 782-9430 reach women statewide.
(804) 782-9430 · 919 E Main St Suite 610, Richmond, VA 23219 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Legal Aid Works (formerly Rappahannock Legal Services) covers Fredericksburg, Stafford, Spotsylvania, and surrounding counties with free help for women on custody, divorce, protective orders, and eviction. (540) 371-1105 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
(540) 371-1105 · Fredericksburg, VA 22401 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
LSC.gov is the federal funder behind Virginia's four LSC-funded legal aid offices. Their 'Get Legal Help' map locates the right office for a Virginia woman's county.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
LawHelp.org's Virginia portal indexes every state and county-level legal aid office, court self-help center, and pro bono clinic. Spanish-language interface available.
Nationwide · Online
The ABA's portal links to Virginia's Lawyer Referral Service, Free Legal Answers VA, and military legal assistance — useful triage when you're not sure if your problem is civil, criminal, or family.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
ProBono.net runs Virginia's volunteer-attorney intake at va.freelegalanswers.org and hosts state-specific self-help materials for women preparing protective order or custody filings.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Justia's free directory lists every Virginia legal aid office, law school clinic (W&M, UVA, GMU, Regent, Washington & Lee, Richmond), and lawyer referral program with contact info and service area.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
WomensLaw.org/find-help maps every Virginia DV-savvy attorney and advocate with safety-aware intake protocols. Email hotline accepts questions in English and Spanish.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
NCADV's state index summarizes Virginia's protective order laws (preliminary, emergency, and permanent), stalking statutes, and address confidentiality program — useful background when working with a Virginia advocate.
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StatesideLegal.org is critical for Virginia given the state's huge military population — covers VA disability appeals, SCRA family-law protections, USERRA, and discharge upgrades for women in service.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
DOJ's recognized immigration providers list includes Virginia's CAIR Coalition, Ayuda, Just Neighbors, and other nonprofits qualified to handle VAWA self-petitions, U-visas, and asylum for immigrant women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website