Last updated: July 14, 2026
Bottom line
North Dakota has free and low-cost civil legal help, but there is no legal program only for single mothers. Start with the issue that has the closest deadline, such as an eviction hearing, protection-order need, child-support notice, custody filing, or benefits appeal.
For many low-income civil cases, begin with Legal Services of North Dakota. It helps eligible low-income and older North Dakotans with civil legal problems. Tribal members and people with cases connected to tribal courts may also check Dakota Plains Legal Services.
This guide gives general information, not legal advice. A court clerk or self-help worker can explain forms and court steps, but cannot tell you what legal choice to make. A lawyer must review your facts before giving advice about your case.
For help with food, housing, health coverage, child care, and other needs, keep the North Dakota help guide nearby.
Get urgent help first
- Immediate danger: Call 911 if you or a child is in immediate danger.
- Domestic or sexual violence: Use the local advocacy directory to find a crisis line, shelter, and certified advocate. If another person checks your phone or browser, use a safer device when possible.
- Legal questions after abuse: ALL ND Victims has a legal line at 701-223-7610 or 1-888-247-9039, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The victim legal line is not a crisis line.
- Eviction papers: Read every page and contact legal aid now. North Dakota eviction cases can move quickly.
- Benefits stopped or denied: Save the notice and request an appeal by the deadline on it.
- Not sure where to call: Dial 211 or text your ZIP code to 898-211. FirstLink 211 gives confidential statewide referrals.
ASMOM’s North Dakota emergency help page lists more crisis paths.
Where to start
Write down the date on every court paper, agency notice, lease notice, or child-support letter. Tell each office about the closest date when you call. Do not wait for one office to answer before trying another valid source.
You need a lawyer
Call legal aid and give your county, legal problem, deadline, and a safe way to contact you.
You must file papers
Use the official court self-help page for forms and filing steps. Ask a lawyer when the right form is not clear.
You need protection
Contact a local advocate and ask about safe contact, shelter, court support, and protection-order forms.
You lost benefits
File the appeal on time, keep proof it was sent, and ask legal aid whether it can review the notice.
The legal and safety guide explains legal information, legal advice, and full representation.
Quick reference: who to contact
| Your problem | First step | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Divorce, custody, or parenting time | Legal aid and court self-help | Correct process, service, forms, and hearing steps | Simple form sets do not fit every family. |
| Child support | North Dakota Child Support | Parentage, orders, review, payment, or enforcement | The program does not decide parenting time. |
| Domestic violence or stalking | Advocate and victim legal line | Safe contact, shelter, court support, and legal referral | No service can promise an order or court result. |
| Eviction or landlord problem | Tenant legal aid | Deadline, hearing, defenses, settlement, and safe housing | A rent-help application may not stop the case. |
| Benefits denial | HHS appeal and legal aid | Deadline, continued benefits, records, and hearing steps | The deadline may depend on the program and notice. |
Free and low-cost legal aid
Legal Services of North Dakota (LSND) screens applicants for civil legal help. Its current contact page lists intake from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Central, Monday through Thursday. Call 1-800-634-5263 if you are younger than 60 or 1-866-621-9886 if you are 60 or older. The LSND contact page also lists offices and reservation outreach.
Who may qualify
LSND says an applicant must meet income rules, have a North Dakota legal issue, and complete an application. The office also checks the type of case, deadlines, available staff, and conflicts of interest. Applying does not promise advice or representation.
What LSND does not handle
The LSND service rules say it does not represent people in criminal matters. It also does not handle workers’ compensation, personal-injury claims, or cases in which a fee can be generated. If LSND says you are not eligible or cannot accept the case, its page says you may appeal that decision to the executive director.
Tribal and reservation legal help
Dakota Plains Legal services may help eligible low-income clients, older adults, and veterans with civil cases in state and tribal courts. Ask which office serves your home, tribal nation, or court. Tribal and state courts are separate systems, and jurisdiction can be hard to sort out.
Other legal-help choices
North Dakota Legal Answers is a free online clinic for qualifying adults with civil legal questions. A volunteer lawyer may give information or basic advice, but the service does not promise an answer or long-term representation.
If you can pay for a short consultation, the court’s lawyer-finding guide lists the State Bar referral service. The current referral charge is $30 and includes up to a 30-minute consultation. Ask about limited representation if you only need form review or help preparing for one hearing.
Using North Dakota court self-help
The Legal Self Help Center gives general information for people handling civil cases without a lawyer. It covers forms, filing, service, hearings, and legal research. Center staff do not act as your lawyer and cannot give legal advice.
Some self-help forms are templates and may not fit every case. The court warns that forms are not available for every issue or set of facts. A self-represented person must still follow the same laws and court rules that apply to a lawyer.
Get advice before filing
Try to speak with a lawyer before relying only on a form packet when the case involves violence, tribal court, military service, another state, a missing parent, immigration concerns, or a child with a disability.
Help with filing fees
If you cannot afford a civil filing fee, use the court’s fee-waiver forms to ask the judge for a waiver. Approval is not automatic. Follow the packet instructions and provide complete financial information.
Custody, parenting time, and child support
North Dakota courts often use “residential responsibility” for custody and “parenting time” for visitation. Parents who were never married may use the court’s parenting responsibility guide to review the general process.
Uncontested forms only work when both parents agree on every required issue in the form set. If the other parent disagrees, cannot be found, or already has a different court order, ask for legal help before filing.
North Dakota Child Support
The official child support program may help establish parentage, establish financial and medical support, process payments, review some orders, and enforce support. The program works for the agency and does not act as either parent’s private lawyer.
Child support and parenting time are separate issues. The state’s parenting-time page says Child Support does not determine or enforce parenting time. A family-law lawyer or court process is usually needed for that issue.
ASMOM’s North Dakota child support guide covers applications, payments, reviews, and common questions.
Domestic violence, stalking, and protection orders
If another person may see your device, call history, email, or location, use a safer device when possible. A certified advocate can help you think about safer contact and local services. This article cannot make a safety plan for you.
North Dakota has different civil orders for domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other conduct. Use the court’s protection-order page for forms and general instructions. The page warns that forms are not available for every situation and are not a promise that a judge will issue an order.
A local advocate may help with forms, shelter, court support, and referrals at no cost. For more paths, use ASMOM’s North Dakota safety resources and the national safety guide.
Eviction, unsafe housing, and discrimination
If you receive a notice to leave, summons, or eviction complaint, contact legal aid the same day. The court’s tenant eviction guide explains the general steps and warns tenants to consult a lawyer as soon as possible.
Keep the lease, rent receipts, repair requests, messages, photos, and every court paper. Do not assume that a repair dispute or rent-assistance application stops the eviction. Attend the hearing unless the court tells you in writing that it changed.
The Attorney General’s tenant-rights page says a landlord cannot lock you out, cut off utilities, or take your belongings. The Attorney General gives public information but does not act as your lawyer in an eviction case.
If you believe a landlord, seller, or housing provider discriminated against you, the housing-rights office accepts complaints. North Dakota says a housing complaint must be filed no later than one year after the last alleged act, but it is safer to ask for help as soon as possible.
Use ASMOM’s North Dakota housing help and North Dakota utility help guides for rent, shelter, heating, and bill programs.
Benefits appeals and case problems
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) processes appeals when applications are denied and, in some cases, when benefits are reduced, ended, discontinued, or suspended. The HHS appeals page links to the Request for Hearing form and an online submission option.
Read the notice carefully. Appeal deadlines and continued-benefit rules can differ by program. Keep the notice, envelope, application proof, uploaded documents, and a record of calls. Ask for proof that the appeal was received.
For Medicaid, the state’s Medicaid appeal page says a request generally must be filed no later than 30 days from the mailing date on the notice of action. It can be requested by phone or in writing. Follow the notice if it gives different or added instructions for your case.
The benefits application page covers SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, LIHEAP, and child care assistance. For related help, use ASMOM’s North Dakota SNAP help, North Dakota TANF help, and North Dakota health help pages.
Disability, tribal, criminal, and consumer help
| Situation | Where to start | What the service may do | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disability rights | Protection and Advocacy | Statewide intake for disability rights, services, abuse, or neglect | Requests are screened under priorities and resources. |
| Tribal court question | Dakota Plains Legal | Screen civil issues connected to tribal or state court | Jurisdiction depends on the people, place, and issue. |
| Criminal charge | Indigent defense form | Request appointed defense if you cannot afford a lawyer | Submit it to the clerk where the criminal case is filed. |
| Consumer complaint | Consumer complaint office | Accept complaints involving North Dakota residents or businesses | The office does not promise money, legal advice, or a result. |
North Dakota courts also publish a tribal court directory. Ask a lawyer before deciding whether a family, protection, support, or housing issue belongs in state court, tribal court, or both.
ASMOM’s disability help guide covers related benefits, school rights, health coverage, and support programs.
Documents to gather before you call
Do not wait to call because a folder is incomplete. A deadline matters more than having every paper. The document checklist can help you organize copies.
| Issue | Useful records | Why they help |
|---|---|---|
| Court case | Summons, complaint, orders, hearing notices, case number | Show the court, deadline, and current case status. |
| Custody or support | Current orders, child records, income, insurance, care costs | Show what is already ordered and what may have changed. |
| Safety issue | Dates, messages, photos, reports, and witness names | Help the advocate or lawyer understand what happened. |
| Eviction | Lease, notices, rent ledger, receipts, repair requests, photos | Show payment history, housing conditions, and deadlines. |
| Benefits appeal | Notice, envelope, application proof, pay records, upload receipts | Show what the agency decided and when you responded. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing court: Attend unless the court gives you a written change.
- Waiting for one callback: Try another valid provider when a deadline is close.
- Using the wrong form: A form packet may not fit a disputed or complex case.
- Ignoring service rules: Filing and serving papers are separate steps.
- Posting case details: Social media, texts, and photos may later be used as evidence.
- Throwing away envelopes: Mailing dates can matter in benefit and court disputes.
If help is denied, delayed, or unavailable
Ask why the office cannot help. The reason may be income, county, case type, conflict of interest, missing information, or limited staff. Ask whether you can appeal, apply again, or receive another referral.
If a hearing is near, call the clerk and ask about the public process for requesting more time. A judge decides whether to grant the request. Do not skip court because you are still looking for a lawyer.
The benefits problem guide can help you track notices, calls, documents, and appeal steps. For help outside the legal system, use ASMOM’s North Dakota community help page.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling legal aid
“Hi, I live in [county]. I need help with [legal problem]. My notice, deadline, or hearing is on [date]. Do you handle this issue, and what should I send today?”
Calling the court clerk
“I do not have a lawyer. My case number is [number]. Can you confirm my hearing date and tell me where to find the filing, self-help, and fee-waiver information?”
Calling a victim advocate
“I need to speak safely about violence, stalking, or a protection order. Please tell me how you can contact me without raising my risk and what local help is available.”
Calling HHS about an appeal
“I received a notice about my [program] benefits dated [date]. I want to appeal. What is my deadline, how can I send the request, and how do I get proof it was received?”
Resumen en español
Si necesita ayuda legal en North Dakota, empiece por el problema con la fecha más urgente. Si hay peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para violencia doméstica, sexual o acoso, busque un centro local de apoyo y use un teléfono seguro cuando sea posible.
Legal Services of North Dakota puede ayudar con algunos casos civiles para personas de bajos ingresos y adultos mayores. La corte también tiene formularios e información de autoayuda, pero el personal no puede dar consejo legal. Guarde todos los papeles, avisos, sobres y fechas. Este artículo es información general y no reemplaza a un abogado.
FAQ: legal help in North Dakota
Can a single mother get free legal help in North Dakota?
Possibly. Legal aid screens income, location, case type, deadlines, conflicts, and available staff. Help may be advice, document review, a referral, or representation. Applying does not guarantee service.
Does Legal Services handle criminal cases?
No. Legal Services of North Dakota says it does not represent people in criminal matters. Ask the clerk where your criminal case is filed about applying for indigent defense.
Where can I get protection-order forms?
Use the North Dakota Legal Self Help Center protection-order page. A certified local advocate may also help with forms, court support, safe contact, shelter, and referrals.
What should I do after receiving eviction papers?
Read every page, note the hearing date, and contact tenant legal aid immediately. Keep your lease, payment records, notices, messages, photos, and proof of any rent-help application.
Can I appeal a North Dakota benefits decision?
Many benefit decisions can be appealed. Read the notice, use the HHS Client Rights and Appeals process, and file by the stated deadline. Keep proof that the appeal was received.
Can court staff tell me what to file?
Court staff may explain public forms, filing steps, fees, and hearing information. They cannot give legal advice, choose a form for your legal strategy, or predict what a judge will decide.
Last updated: July 14, 2026. Next review: October 14, 2026.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified July 14, 2026, next review October 14, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.