Where to Find Free Bankruptcy Self‑Help Clinics & Pro Bono Attorneys in Los Angeles

Free bankruptcy help in Los Angeles — quick overview

If you’re considering bankruptcy or already have a case, Los Angeles offers several free resources: court-run self-help desks, nonprofit bankruptcy clinics, and programs that match income‑eligible filers with volunteer pro bono attorneys. These services provide short attorney consultations, form help, clinic workshops, and in some cases full pro bono representation for qualifying Chapter 7 matters.

This guide explains the main organizations, where to find clinics and self-help desks, what documents to bring, how pro bono placement usually works, and practical next steps so you can get scheduled help quickly.

Where to go: trusted clinics, courts, and legal aid groups

Below are the primary, reliable entry points for free bankruptcy help in Los Angeles County. Contact each organization directly to confirm hours, intake procedures, and eligibility.

• Public Counsel — Los Angeles Bankruptcy Clinic: Offers free 30‑minute attorney consultations (in person or by Zoom) and operates the court self‑help desk in the Los Angeles division; appointments are required for clinic consultations. Public Counsel also coordinates volunteer attorneys for limited Chapter 7 representation and reaffirmation clinics at the Federal/Bankruptcy courthouses.
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court (Central District of California) — Self‑Help Desk & Debtor Assistance Project: The Bankruptcy Court supports onsite self‑help desks and the Debtor Assistance Project (DAP), which places many Chapter 7 cases with pro bono counsel and coordinates clinic efforts across the district. The court’s Los Angeles self‑help desk typically operates multiple days per week and provides forms, referrals, and pre‑filing workshops.
• Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA): Operates the San Fernando Valley self‑help desk and regular Chapter 7 seminars and one‑on‑one sessions; NLSLA also helps arrange limited pro bono representation for income‑qualified clients. Check local NLSLA intake channels for workshop schedules and languages offered.
• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA): Provides broad self‑help resources and referral lists; LAFLA refers debtors to the Los Angeles Bankruptcy Clinic (Public Counsel) and other local clinics, and publishes intake guidance and qualification criteria for many services. LAFLA uses federal poverty guidelines for some programs (see their intake page for details).
• Bet Tzedek Legal Services: Offers bankruptcy workshops and periodic Chapter 7 clinics with priority for seniors and people with disabilities; where eligible, Bet Tzedek may provide follow‑up representation or referrals.
• Other local clinics and bar programs: The Los Angeles County Bar Association, local bankruptcy forums, and specialty nonprofit centers also run periodic clinics, reaffirmation assistance programs, and pro bono placement lists through the court’s Debtor Assistance efforts. If you call the court self‑help desk or Public Counsel, they can point you to the next available clinic.

How pro bono and self‑help clinics usually work

Typical services you’ll find at clinics and self‑help desks include: a short attorney consultation (often 20–30 minutes), review of your case facts, guidance on whether Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 may be appropriate, help locating the right court forms, and referrals to counsel or social services. Some clinics also run full group workshops where volunteer attorneys review completed petitions with attendees. For income‑qualified filers, programs like Public Counsel and the court’s DAP may place eligible Chapter 7 cases with pro bono attorneys.

Because demand typically exceeds volunteer capacity, clinics focus on simple/no‑asset Chapter 7 cases and on helping self‑represented filers prepare correct paperwork. If you need full representation, ask each clinic about their intake priority criteria and waitlist process.

What to bring to a clinic or to your 341 (Meeting of Creditors)

To get the most from a clinic visit or to be ready for court, bring:

• Government photo ID (driver’s license or passport).
• Proof of Social Security number (card, W‑2, or recent SSA statement).
• Pay stubs or other proof of income for the 60 days before filing (or most recent paystubs if meeting with a trustee later).
• Federal tax returns for the last two years.
• Recent bank statements and documentation for any investment accounts.
• A list of creditors (names, addresses, approximate balances) or a recent credit report.
• Mortgage information, vehicle titles/registrations, and any court judgments or collection notices.

Bankruptcy rules and many local court websites require that debtors provide certain documents to the trustee before the §341 meeting; courts routinely instruct debtors to bring photo ID, Social Security evidence, recent pay advices, and the tax returns listed above. Clinics will often review these materials and tell you which documents need to be submitted to the trustee or filed with the court.

How to get started and practical next steps

1. Call or apply online — start with Public Counsel (clinic intake form and appointments) or LAFLA’s referral list to get the next clinic dates and intake instructions. Public Counsel requires appointments for 30‑minute consultations.
2. Prepare key documents — gather IDs, paystubs (60 days), recent tax returns (2 years), bank statements, a creditor list, and mortgage/vehicle documents before your appointment so the clinic can evaluate your case efficiently.
3. Ask about eligibility for pro bono placement — if you have a simple Chapter 7 case and meet income guidelines, clinics (and the court’s Debtor Assistance Project) may be able to match you with a volunteer attorney; note that capacity is limited and priority rules vary by program.
4. If you don’t qualify for full representation, use the clinic to learn how to complete and file correct forms (to reduce risk of dismissal) and to receive referrals to low‑cost counsel or debt‑relief alternatives.

Final tip: confirm current clinic days, virtual vs in‑person options, language services, and appointment rules before you travel — schedules and intake rules change, and many clinics now offer Zoom or phone consults. If you run into scheduling delays, ask the clinic or court self‑help desk about temporary fee waiver options or pro se resources that explain e‑filing and the 341 meeting process.