Losing a spouse or family member is a deeply emotional experience, and dealing with legal matters like probate, wills, and estate planning can add to the complexity. Fortunately, there are resources available across the United States to help widows and widowers navigate the legal process. While many states offer specific organizations for legal aid, I’ve highlighted a few key states with multiple or notable resources before providing an alphabetized table of legal aid services by state for ease of access.
Note: Canadian resources are here.
Highlighted States with Notable Resources
Some states have particularly robust or widely-known legal aid organizations, and we have provided extra attention to those where services stand out for widows and widowers.
At least one resource available in each state is listed in the table below (scroll down).
California
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles: Provides comprehensive free legal services to low-income residents, covering probate, wills, and more. More Info
- Bay Area Legal Aid: Focuses on providing legal support to Bay Area residents, including estate planning and probate issues. More Info
- California Courts Self-Help Center: Offers a wealth of resources on probate and estate matters, making it easier for individuals to represent themselves. More Info
New York
- The Legal Aid Society: One of the nation’s oldest and most reputable legal aid organizations, offering help with wills, estates, and probate for low-income residents. More Info
- New York City Bar Legal Referral Service: Provides access to qualified attorneys for an initial consultation at a low cost, including probate issues. More Info
Texas
- Texas Legal Services Center: Provides free legal advice and representation for probate and estate matters for low-income Texans. More Info
- Lone Star Legal Aid: Focuses on legal issues such as probate and wills for low-income families in Texas. More Info
- TexasLawHelp.org: A valuable resource for free legal information, including guidance on estate planning and probate. More Info
Florida
- Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida: Offers free legal representation and advice for probate matters, especially in central Florida. More Info
- Florida Legal Services: Provides legal aid across the state, helping with probate and estate matters for low-income families. More Info
Here’s an alphabetized table of legal resources by state to help you find services available where you live.
Additional Legal Resources by State
| State | Legal Resource | Website/Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Legal Services Alabama | More Info |
| Alaska | Alaska Legal Services | More Info |
| Arizona | Community Legal Services | More Info |
| Arkansas | Legal Aid of Arkansas | More Info |
| California | Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles | More Info |
| Colorado | Colorado Legal Services | More Info |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Legal Services | More Info |
| Delaware | Delaware Volunteer Legal Services | More Info |
| Florida | Florida Legal Services | More Info |
| Georgia | Georgia Legal Services Program | More Info |
| Hawaii | Legal Aid Society of Hawaii | More Info |
| Idaho | Idaho Legal Aid Services | More Info |
| Illinois | Legal Aid Chicago | More Info |
| Indiana | Indiana Legal Services | More Info |
| Iowa | Iowa Legal Aid | More Info |
| Kansas | Kansas Legal Services | More Info |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Legal Aid | More Info |
| Louisiana | Southeast Louisiana Legal Services | More Info |
| Maine | Pine Tree Legal Assistance | More Info |
| Maryland | Maryland Legal Aid | More Info |
| Massachusetts | Greater Boston Legal Services | More Info |
| Michigan | Legal Aid of Western Michigan | More Info |
| Minnesota | Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota | More Info |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Center for Legal Services | More Info |
| Missouri | Legal Services of Eastern Missouri | More Info |
| Montana | Montana Legal Services Association | More Info |
| Nebraska | Legal Aid of Nebraska | More Info |
| New York | The Legal Aid Society | More Info |
| Nevada | Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada | More Info |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Legal Assistance | More Info |
| New Jersey | Legal Services of New Jersey | More Info |
| New Mexico | New Mexico Legal Aid | More Info |
| North Carolina | Legal Aid of North Carolina | More Info |
| North Dakota | Legal Services of North Dakota | More Info |
| Ohio | Ohio Legal Help | More Info |
| Oklahoma | Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma | More Info |
| Oregon | Legal Aid Services of Oregon | More Info |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network | More Info |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Legal Services | More Info |
| South Carolina | South Carolina Legal Services | More Info |
| South Dakota | East River Legal Services | More Info |
| Tennessee | Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands | More Info |
| Texas | Texas Legal Services Center: | More Info |
| Utah | Utah Legal Services | More Info |
| Vermont | Vermont Legal Aid | More Info |
| Virginia | Virginia Legal Aid Society | More Info |
| Washington | Northwest Justice Project | More Info |
| West Virginia | Legal Aid of West Virginia | More Info |
| Wisconsin | Legal Action of Wisconsin | More Info |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Legal Aid | More Info |
