Get Legal Help
On this page you’ll find information about the types of services we provide, our eligibility requirements, and how to apply.
Who is eligible?
Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services provides free civil legal assistance to low-income individuals and families who live in Charleston County and need help resolving a legal issue.
To qualify for our services, applicants must:
Be a resident of Charleston County; and
Have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for Charleston County.
Eligibility is based on household size and income guidelines established for our programs. If you are unsure whether you qualify, we encourage you to apply.
What kind of cases do we handle?
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CPBLS supports Charleston County residents who are survivors of family, intimate partner, and sexual violence to help them achieve safety and independence.
We provide free legal assistance to survivors in certain family law matters, including:
Restraining Orders
Orders of Protection
Limited assistance in related matters such as:
Divorce
Custody/Visitation
Property Division
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CPBLS provides free legal assistance to Charleston County residents in the following areas:
Living Wills
Durable Power of Attorney
Health Care Power of Attorney
Simple Probate
Wills
To provide for your care and the care of loved ones, it is important to know how to plan for future needs. Charleston Pro Bono provides these services and other related services.
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CPBLS supports Charleston County residents seeking to clear eligible criminal records through the expungement process. Our team can help determine whether you qualify for an expungement, explain your options, prepare the necessary paperwork, and guide you through the legal process.We can help with:
Determining expungement eligibility
Preparing expungement petitions
Filing expungement paperwork
Navigating the expungement process
Clearing eligible criminal records
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CPBLS provides free legal assistance to Charleston County residents in the following areas:
Adoption
Birth Certificate Corrections
Child Support Modification
Custody
Delayed Birth Certificates
Name Changes
Paternity and Legitimization
Uncontested Divorce
Visitation
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CPBLS provides free legal assistance to Charleston County residents in the following areas:
Landlord – Tenant Law
Fair Housing
Discrimination in Housing
Housing and Disabilities
Property tax
Subsidized Housing (Public, Section 8 Vouchers, etc.)
Eviction Defense
Quit Claim
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CPBLS supports Charleston County residents with:
Delayed Birth Certificates
Birth Certificate Corrections
Name Changes (when needed to obtain accurate identification)
Charleston Pro Bono provides free civil legal assistance in a variety of legal matters. As a nonprofit organization, the types of cases we can accept are determined by our grant funding, program priorities, and available resources.
Depending on the legal issue and the circumstances of your case, we may be able to provide legal advice, brief services such as document preparation or negotiation, or full representation. In some situations, we may refer you to another legal aid organization or connect you with a volunteer private attorney.
Please note: We are unable to accept cases on an emergency basis. If you have an urgent legal matter or an upcoming court date, contact us as soon as possible so we can determine whether we are able to assist.
111 Church Street, Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 853-6456
Office hours:
Monday - Friday
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
If you think you are eligible for our services, you can complete an intake form online, over the phone, or in person at our office. We are a nonprofit organization, and this is required by our funding sources before we can serve you.
A member of our staff will review your application and contact you within three business days. If you are eligible for services and you have a legal problem that we handle, a legal assistant will work with you on next steps. If you are not eligible for services from CPBLS, we will do our best to connect you with other agencies or resources that might be able to help.