Legal aid is available for this type of problem

However, you may need to also qualify financially.

If you do qualify financially, you can speak to Civil Legal Advice (CLA), a national helpline for certain legal aid problems in England and Wales.

The CLA operator will check all the information you’ve given through this service.

What you need to check if you qualify financially

You and your partner (if you have one) will need:

  • recent payslips (if you’re working) and bank statements
  • a summary of your income tax and National Insurance contributions
  • details of any savings and investments you have
  • details of any benefits you receive
  • mortgage statements and a current valuation for any property you own

When you do not need to complete the financial assessment

You should contact CLA without completing the financial assessment if you are:

  • under 18
  • have capital trapped in a property you own or other money or assets that you cannot access

If you use British Sign Language (BSL)

You can choose not to complete the financial assessment online, and instead ask for a call with a BSL interpreter.

Fill in the 'Contact CLA' page. Select 'BSL' under 'Communication needs'.

Before you start

Alternatively, you can ask a legal aid adviser to take on your case.

Your adviser will check whether you qualify for legal aid at no cost to you by asking about your problem and your finances. If you qualify, in some cases you may need to pay a contribution towards your legal aid.

Find a legal adviser

Other sources of help

You can also get advice from alternative help organisations for issues related to family. You don’t have to qualify for legal aid.

  • Child Maintenance Options

    Child Maintenance Options is a confidential and impartial helpline that is separate to the Child Support Agency (CSA) and provides free information about how to put in place maintenance arrangements for children.

    Helpline:
    0800 953 0191 (UK (excluding Northern Ireland)), 0800 028 7439 (Northern Ireland), 0800 408 0308 (Welsh Language), 0800 988 0988, 0800 028 7439 (Northern Ireland)
    Opening hours:
    Monday - Friday, 8am - 8pm Saturday, 9am - 4pm

  • Family Mediation Council

    Information about mediation and a searchable database of family mediators.

  • Mediation Directory

    The Mediation Directory is a searchable database of mediation providers.

  • Sorting Out Separation

    Sorting Out Separation helps you make the right decisions after a break-up. Topics on the website include children and parenting, health, housing, legal, money and finance.

  • Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)

    Cafcass is a government body that aims to make sure that children's welfare is put first during family court proceedings.

    Helpline:
    0300 456 4000, 0844 353 4332

  • Men's Advice Line

    Men's Advice Line provides support, information and practical advice for male victims of domestic violence.

    Helpline:
    0808 801 0327, 0808 801 0327
    Opening hours:
    Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
    Email:

  • 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline

    The helpline is an emergency service and is not intended to offer general information on domestic violence. Helpline staff respond according to the caller's needs and may refer women (with or without children) to emergency safe accommodation.

    They also provide information about legal, housing or welfare rights and options and referral to relevant services and professions.

    Helpline:
    0808 2000 247, 0808 2000 247
    Opening hours:
    24 hours a day, 365 days a year
    Email:

  • Respect

    Respect is a confidential helpline for domestic violence perpetrators (male, female, in heterosexual or same-sex relationships). It offers information and advice to help perpetrators stop their violence and change their abusive behaviours.

    Helpline:
    0808 802 4040, 0808 802 4040
    Opening hours:
    Monday - Friday 9am-5pm
    Email:

  • Child Maintenance Options

    Child Maintenance Options is a confidential and impartial helpline that is separate to the Child Support Agency (CSA) and provides free information about how to put in place maintenance arrangements for children.

    Helpline:
    0800 953 0191 (UK (excluding Northern Ireland)), 0800 028 7439 (Northern Ireland), 0800 408 0308 (Welsh Language), 0800 988 0988, 0800 028 7439 (Northern Ireland)
    Opening hours:
    Monday - Friday, 8am - 8pm Saturday, 9am - 4pm

  • Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)

    Cafcass is a government body that aims to make sure that children's welfare is put first during family court proceedings.

    Helpline:
    0300 456 4000, 0844 353 4332

  • Mediation Directory

    The Mediation Directory is a searchable database of mediation providers.

  • Sorting Out Separation

    Sorting Out Separation helps you make the right decisions after a break-up. Topics on the website include children and parenting, health, housing, legal, money and finance.

  • Family Mediation Council

    Information about mediation and a searchable database of family mediators.

  • Men's Advice Line

    Men's Advice Line provides support, information and practical advice for male victims of domestic violence.

    Helpline:
    0808 801 0327, 0808 801 0327
    Opening hours:
    Monday - Friday, 9am - 5pm
    Email:

  • Respect

    Respect is a confidential helpline for domestic violence perpetrators (male, female, in heterosexual or same-sex relationships). It offers information and advice to help perpetrators stop their violence and change their abusive behaviours.

    Helpline:
    0808 802 4040, 0808 802 4040
    Opening hours:
    Monday - Friday 9am-5pm
    Email:

  • 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline

    The helpline is an emergency service and is not intended to offer general information on domestic violence. Helpline staff respond according to the caller's needs and may refer women (with or without children) to emergency safe accommodation.

    They also provide information about legal, housing or welfare rights and options and referral to relevant services and professions.

    Helpline:
    0808 2000 247, 0808 2000 247
    Opening hours:
    24 hours a day, 365 days a year
    Email:

  • NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children)

    Guidance, information and free helpline with trained counsellors to help protect children and young people from abuse.

    Welsh translation available.

    Helpline:
    0808 800 5000
    Opening hours:
    Monday to Friday 8am – 10pm, Saturday to Sunday 9am – 6pm
    Email:

  • Rape Crisis

    Find a Rape Crisis Centre, get online emotional support, or find information and self-help tools.

    Provides specialist support and services to women/girls who have experienced sexual violence.

    Website is not translated in Welsh.

    Helpline:
    0808 802 9999
    Opening hours:
    Every day of the year 12:00 -14:30 and 19:00 - 21:30

  • Resolution

    Professional advice for family problems in England and Wales, including divorce and separation, domestic abuse, money problems when divorcing/separating and child maintenance.

    Website is not translated in Welsh.

  • Rights of Women - Family

    Legal advice, helpline and information to help women to understand and use the law and their legal rights.

    Website is not translated in Welsh.

    Helpline:
    020 7251 6577 (National), 020 7608 1137 (London), 020 7118 0267
    Opening hours:
    National Tuesday to Thurs 7pm – 9pm, Friday 12pm-2pm ; London Monday and Thursday 10am – 12pm and 2pm – 4pm, Tuesday - Wednesday 2pm – 4pm