Legal Resources & Information

Legal Resources & Information

 

Free legal help hotline available for Nebraskans affected by COVID-19

NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT RULES DO NOT ALLOW E-MAIL FILINGS FOR COURT CASES

Individuals that do not have an attorney may file documents with the court in person, by mail, or by fax transmission. (Neb. Ct. R. § 6-601(B), allows non-attorneys to file any pleading, motion or other document, except for briefs in the appellate courts, by fax transmission until May 1, 2025.) 

If you want to fax a court document, you must include the uniform cover sheet as the first page.  The fax must be less than 10 pages not counting the cover sheet.  If you want to fax more than 10 pages, you must get approval from the clerk of the court before you send it. 

Court addresses and contact information are located here: 

District Courts  https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/courts/district-court/court-contacts

County Courts   https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/courts/county-courts/court-contacts

If you have questions, contact the clerk of the court in which your case is filed.   

REGISTER FOR EMAIL NOTICE FROM THE COURT

Court users without an attorney must register an e-mail address in order to receive notices, etc. from the court. Registration of Email Address for Self Represented Litigant. 

Anyone who does not have an e-mail address must use the form to explain why they cannot receive e-mail in order to receive notice, etc. by mail.     

CHANGE OF CONTACT INFORMATION

If your contact information has changed, you must complete the Change of Contact Information form and file it with the court. 

Help Finding a Lawyer

Legal Aid of Nebraska

To see if you qualify for Legal Aid of Nebraska’s services, you may apply online or by calling the AccessLine ®:

(402) 348-1060 AccessLine ® if you live in the Douglas Co. area
(877) 250-2016 AccessLine® if you live outside the Douglas Co. area
(800) 527-7249 Elder AccessLine ® if you are 60 and over
(800) 729-9908 Native American AccessLine ® if you are Native American​

Referral Services

Referrals to private attorneys are available. Private attorneys may charge for their services.  Some lawyers offer limited-scope and modest means representation, which can be helpful to persons with limited financial resources.

Help Representing Yourself

Online Court Forms and Instructions

If you have not visited the Nebraska Online Legal Self-Help page to see if forms and instructions are available, try: 

https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/self-help

 

NE Free Legal Answers

NE Free Legal Answers is a free, online legal advice clinic where qualifying low-income Nebraskans can ask a volunteer lawyer a question about a civil (non-criminal) legal problem.  Visit NE.freelegalanswers.org for more information and to see if you qualify to use the service.  To qualify, you must be at least 18, reside in Nebraska, you can't be incarcerated, and your household income and assets must meet poverty income guidelines.  Qualifying users will receive an email message to log back in to the website if a lawyer responds to the question. 

Self-Help Centers and Legal Clinics

Legal Aid of Nebraska's Access to Justice (A2J) Center

Legal Aid of Nebraska has two A2J Centers.  These centers are self-help centers in Lancaster and Douglas Counties where low-income people can access legal resources including computers, forms, and self-help clinics.   The Omaha A2J Center is located at 209 Farnam Street, Suite 200.  The Lincoln A2J Center is located at 941 "O" Street, Ste. 325.  Call (402) 348-1069, or toll-free at (888) 991-9921, or, visit our website at https://www.legalaidofnebraska.org/how-we-help/walk-in-centers/ to find out more information.

Self-Help Centers

A Self-Help Center is a free, walk-in legal information and resource center for low-income persons representing themselves in court. There are Self-Help Centers in courthouses in several counties. A Self-Help Center is not a substitute for professional legal advice. When you cannot afford a lawyer, however, a Self-Help Center can provide legal information and resources to help you resolve a legal problem on your own. Please visit the Nebraska State Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project Webpage for more information about Self-Help Centers.

Law School Legal Clinics

  • University of Nebraska College of Law Legal Clinic:  A limited number of civil cases are accepted by the UNL Legal Clinic. Clients are represented by students under the supervision of College of Law faculty. Call (402) 472-3271 to find out if they are currently taking new cases.
  • Creighton University School of Law Legal Clinic:  For Douglas County residents only. Call the Clinic at (402) 280-3068 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday. A limited number of cases are accepted by the Creighton Legal Clinic. Clients are represented by students under the supervision of Law School faculty.

Legal Aid of Nebraska “Do-It-Yourself (Pro Se) Divorce Clinic” 

For residents of the following counties: Buffalo, Dawson, Dodge, Gage, Hall, Jefferson, Madison, and Saline County. Legal Aid of Nebraska provides a free, virtual divorce clinic on a monthly basis, for persons representing themselves in a divorce. Attorneys provide legal assistance with divorce forms and advice on the divorce process. Must be low-income and pre-qualify for the clinic.  For more information and to apply, visit  http://www.legalaidofnebraska.org/divorceclinic/.

 

Law and Public Libraries 

State Library

The Nebraska State Library is a public law library located on the 3rd floor of the Capitol Building, Room 325.  In addition to print materials, there are computers for conducting legal research and free WIFI.  A reference librarian is available to assist in person, by phone (402)471-3189, or email NSC.lawlibrary@nejudicial.gov.

University of Nebraska College of Law Library

The UNL College of Law Library is located on the east campus of UNL. There is one public access computer to conduct legal research. The general telephone number to the law school is (402) 472-3547.

Creighton University Law School Library

The Creighton Law Library is located in Omaha on the corner of 21st and Cass Streets, on the second floor of the Ahmanson law Center.  There are public access computers for legal research.  Reference assistance is also available.  The general phone number is (402) 280-2875.

Public Libraries

Each branch has a unique collection.  Your local public library may have some legal resources and public access to computers and the internet.  To find your local library click the link above.

Douglas County Law Library

The Douglas County Law Library is located in Room HO7, Civic Center, 1819 Farnam Street in Omaha. The Library is open to attorneys and the public for limited use.  The materials in the library are available for use on the premises only, no materials may be checked out. There are copy machines available for self-service coping and scanning to a USB device. The library staff is available to assist you in the library. The phone number is (402)444-7174.

Additional Options and Resources

Limited Scope Representation by an Attorney

If you feel you can’t afford an attorney to handle your entire case, you may hire an attorney to work for you on a limited basis which can result in reduced legal costs. This means you and your lawyer decide on which tasks to split and ‘limit the scope’ of your lawyer’s work. Not all lawyers in Nebraska offer limited scope representation so you will have to ask before making an appointment. Information for people wanting limited legal assistance

Mediation Centers

Mediation Centers provide a neutral third party mediator who has no decision-making authority and is impartial to the issues being discussed. The mediator is present in order to assist the parties to voluntarily reach a mutually acceptable settlement of the dispute. For more information call the Nebraska Office of Dispute Resolution, 402-416-0670, or visit the link to find the Mediation Center serving your portion of the State. Mediation at these centers is offered on a sliding-fee scale based on the income of the participants.

Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Assistance

Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services helps clients with filing a variety of USCIS forms. Their services consist of legal consultations in which they evaluate clients’ immigration legal options, advise them how to proceed, and represent them throughout the legal process. Consultations are by appointment only. To make an appointment, call any one of their offices.

Contact:
Juan Diego Center in Omaha- 402-939-4615
El Puente in Schuyler- 402-352-3644

Website:
In English - http://www.ccomaha.org/what-we-do/immigration-legal-services.html
In Spanish - http://www.ccomaha.org/what-we-do/inmigracion.html

Disability Rights Nebraska

Disability Rights Nebraska provides information and referral services to all persons free of charge. They provide direct advocacy services to individuals with disabilities. In order to receive representation, the individual must meet certain basic eligibility requirements set by their funding sources and have a legal problem that is associated with the disability and that falls within priorities set by the Disability Rights Nebraska Board of Directors. A fee may be charged for legal representation based on the client’s ability to pay.

Contact:
(800) 422-6691
info@disabilityrightsofnebraska.org

Nebraska Appleseed

Nebraska Appleseed is a nonprofit organization, who’s mission it is to fight for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans. Their legal services most often include referrals, legal information, and supportive advice. Because their litigation is focused on systemic issues, Nebraska Appleseed does not typically handle individual representation cases.

Contact:
Trisha Thompson, Intake Coordinator
402-438-8853, ext. 105
tthompson@neappleseed.org

Nebraska Area Agencies on Aging

The eight area agencies on aging plan and promote the development, enhancement and promotion of community services and activities for older persons. The agencies create social and physical environments where the older citizen has maximum opportunities, both individually and collectively, for personal expression and growth. Special emphasis is given to supporting and prolonging independent living through ensuring the right care is provided at the right time. They have services available that provide legal advice, counseling and representation by an attorney or other person acting under the supervision of an attorney.

Contact:
Madhavi Bhadbhade, Legal Program Coordinator
Madhavi.bhadbhade@nebraska.gov

Nebraska Immigration Legal Assistance Hotline

NILAH is a centralized intake system of the area non-profit immigration legal service providers. The hotline is available during the following hours, excluding federal holidays:

Monday & Wednesday:     9:00am-11:00am, 12:30pm-3:30pm  CST
Tuesday & Thursday:         9:00am-12:00pm, 1:30pm-3:30pm  CST
Friday:                                      9:00am-12:00pm  CST

Contact:
855-307-6730
info@immigrantlc.org

Nebraska Military Legal Assistance Officers

The Law Center provides professional legal support and advice to command and other staff agencies on a variety of issues including military justice, contracts, labor, environmental and operations law. They also provide legal advice and assistance on personal and civil matters to military members, retirees and their family members.

Contact:
(402) 294-3733
55WG.JA.LegalAssistance@us.af.mil