Finding an Attorney

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How to Find an Attorney and What to Do If You Can’t Afford One

North Carolina Legal Options for Kinship Caregivers

The law is a tool to help you meet your needs, and a lawyer is someone who can help you use that tool to make the law work best for you and your family. 

Download a Printable Guide for Finding an Attorney

An Attorney Can:

  • Help you understand your legal permanency options and the risks and benefits of each. 
  • Help you understand the benefits and supports you, or the children may be eligible for. 
  • Advocate for you in court. 

If Child Welfare IS NOT Involved

Kinship caregivers are on their own to get legal permanency for the child (custody or adoption). You can find an attorney or proceed without one (“pro se”).  

If Child Welfare IS Involved

The Guardian Ad Litem attorney typically represents the child. The child’s parents may qualify for a court-appointed attorney. Kinship caregivers are on their own to find an attorney; however, if the child cannot return home to their parents, the DSS attorney will provide the legal work to get the kinship caregiver permanency (guardianship, adoption, or custody). 

*If you are a Native parent or relative caregiver (whether grandparent, other extended family member, or family friend) of a child who was removed from their parents by a state child welfare system, this resource prepared by the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) is for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • When in doubt, it is always best to consult with an attorney. 
  • Inside the child welfare system:
  • Outside the child welfare system (custody or adoption):
    • Though it is possible to do this without a lawyer, the legal process is complicated, and the stakes are high. Thus, if possible, use an attorney, especially if the child’s parents do not agree with what you want to do. 

You need an attorney that specializes in family law or adoption. Call a few attorneys and ask them questions, such as:

  • What is their experience with kinship caregivers? How many have they represented in the last year? Last two years? 
  • What is their experience with what you need (civil court custody or adoption, challenging the DSS’s decisions, etc.)?
  • What is their experience with helping access public benefits? 
  • Do they provide free consultations for the first meeting? 

At the first meeting:

  • List the main facts of the case. Make sure to include all the facts, even those that may make you look bad or hurt your case.  
  • Determine whether you think you and this attorney can work as a team. 

Ask a family law attorney to work with you at a reduced cost. 

  • Ask about the possibility of a payment plan, reduced fee, or sliding fee scale. 
  • Ask whether they will provide unbundled legal services (also known as limited representation). In unbundled legal services, you keep costs lower by doing some of the legal work and research yourself. For example, you could complete all the documents to file the custody case but have the lawyer review them to make sure they are complete. Or you could have the lawyer complete all the documents and you go to court on your own. Or you could hire the lawyer to represent you only at the court hearing. 

Mediation

Consider mediation rather than legal action to try to reach an agreement with the child’s parents without the expense of a custody or adoption trial. Some courts will require mediation before they will schedule a trial. Many counties have free or reduced-cost mediation services.  Before mediation, talk with a family law attorney to better understand your rights. 

“Pro Se” (Represent Yourself)

Representing yourself (“pro se”) is possible, but this is not recommended when the child’s parents disagree with what you want to do.  

  • You can find some jurisidication pro se forms at NC Judicial Branch and at LawHelpNC.org.
  • Some counties have “help desks” at family court where volunteer attorneys or local legal aid services offer limited assistance.  
  • If there is a kinship support organization in your area, they may be able to help you find a volunteer attorney. 

Free or low-cost legal aid services and clinics are available throughout North Carolina. Review the list below or use the map to help find an attorney.

Free Kinship Legal Clinic

Creating a Family hosts a monthly online clinic to assist grandparents raising grandchildren (and other relatives raising kin) living in North Carolina with making well-informed decisions based on clear knowledge of their legal rights and responsibilities.

Register Here

Justice Matters, Inc.

Statewide legal assistance is offered.


919-794-7511

Learn More

NC Free Legal Answers

A virtual legal advice pro bono clinic. Post questions to be answered via email by attorneys.

Learn More

Legal Aid Child Custody Clinic

The clinic is held online and at various locations throughout the state and offers general information and guidance on child custody and visitation.

Learn More

Legal Aid Offices

Legal Aid of North Carolina provides free legal help and offers various locations across the state, see locations below.

Legal Aid NC HelpLine:

Toll-Free: 1 (866) 219-LANC (5262)

Apply for free help with civil (non-criminal) legal issues. 

Those 60 and older should call the Senior Helpline:

Toll-Free: 1 (877) 579-7562

Find Your Local Office

Children’s Law Center of Central NC

Forsyth County

102 W. 3rd St, Suite 470
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
(Liberty Plaza Building)

T 336-831-1909
F 336-831-1910 

Guilford County (GC Family Justice Centers)
201 S. Greene St., 2nd Floor
Greensboro, NC 27401

505 E. Green Dr.
High Point, NC 27260

T 336-831-1909
F 336-831-1910

Contact

Gailor Family Law Litigation Clinic (Campbell University)

Offering services in Wake County

11 S. Blount St.
Raleigh, North Carolina 27601


919-865-4480

Learn More

Pisgah Legal Services

Pisgah Legal Services provides a broad array of free, civil legal aid, anti-poverty advocacy and access to health care in 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Program availability varies by county depending on the availability and scope of funding.

1-800-489-6144

Office locations: Asheville, Brevard, Burnsville, Hendersonville, Highlands/Cashiers, Marshall, Newland, Rutherfordton, Spruce Pine, and Waynesville

Learn More

NC Central University School of Law – Family Law Clinic

Offer File It Yourself Services (FIYS), Child-Custody Bundled Services (CCBS), and Family Law Advice
Office is available in Durham County Courthouse, services for Wake, Durham, and Orange counties.

Call for availability: 919-530-6515

Learn More

Women’s Resource Center – Legal Hotline

Legal Information Services: The free Attorney Hotline assists community women in making well-informed decisions based on clear knowledge of their legal rights and responsibilities as they move through life transitions.  Licensed attorneys volunteer their time to answer questions in over 20 different areas of law including Civil, Criminal, Bankruptcy, Real Estate, Domestic/Family, Consumer Rights, Wills/Probate and more.  Appointments are roughly 15 minutes in duration, and over the phone.

Call 336-275-6090 to make an appointment.

Learn More

NC Legal Options for Kinship Caregivers

Legal Options Quiz

Child Welfare Not Involved

Child Welfare Is Involved

Making the Decision

Finding an Attorney

Kinship Advisory Committee

Additional Resources

*Not Intended as Legal Advice