User Guide

What is Stateside Legal?

Our goal is to provide you with relevant and easy-to-read information when you have a legal problem to solve. 

Here are more details about how to use the site and what you can find here.

What will I find?

Search and the “About You” Button

Our "smart search" function is designed to help you zero in on information that applies to you.  We suggest that you answer a few questions about yourself, using the "About You" button at the top of any page.  Then enter a search term, such as "divorce," "foreclosure," "domestic abuse," or "VA benefits." Our search function will use your profile information to screen the search returns. For example, the returns will show you free legal help offices that:

• are located in your state,
• handle the type of legal matter you entered, and
• serve someone of your military status (eg. activated reserve or army veteran)

Self Help

If you prefer to browse through an online library, use the “Self Help” tab. Drill down through a category (“housing”, “education” “family law”, etc.) to find summaries of the major federal laws and benefits for people with a military connection. We have hand picked what we think are the best web resources addressing the most common types of legal problems.  For some of the most popular topics, we have added videos, step-by-step self help guides and interactive forms.  We will also be adding information about State-based laws and benefits, as we learn about them. 

Get Help

Go to the “Get Help” tab to find a listing of free legal help and advocacy services.  We have included links to contact information for these categories of legal help offices:

• Civil legal aid, providing free legal help to low-income individuals and families in every State (funded by the Legal Services Corporation)
• Other civil legal aid providers, including private attorneys who are willing to take cases for free on a pro bono basis
• Military legal assistance offices - including both Judge Advocate General Attorneys and civilian legal assistance attorneys
• State Veterans Affairs offices
• Veterans Services Organizations

If you know of helpful organizations that we have not listed on the site let us know and we will add them.

About Us

The Legal Services Corporation has funded this effort, along with the hard work of many volunteers. Find more about this process and who's behind it at the “about us” tab. If you would like to support this website project click here.

Advocates and Attorneys

As of October 2010, we have added a new "Advocate View."  To go there, use the "Switch to Advocate View" link in the upper right-hand corner of any Stateside page.  While in the "Advocate View," a search will return more technical content - written for advocates - along with our general public content.  These resources are marked with a "legal scales" icon.

If you want to narrow your search further, you can use the "Client Info" feature before your search. (See red button on upper left.) This function is particularly useful if you are looking for free legal organizations who may be able to help a client. The returns will narrow your search to legal organizations in the client's state, with the client's issue and the client's military profile. 

Check back.  We plan to add more advocate resources during 2011.

Help us. If you are an advocate or attorney who would like to point out a helpful online resource, or request that we address a specific legal problem, use our feedback form.

This is a national website.  This means that we provide information about the laws and benefits that apply in every State.  Most States have local laws and benefit programs that also apply to you.  We will identify local laws and benefits as we learn about them.  You can also find more about state-specific laws on your civil legal services' Statewide Website.

Important Notice: We are providing this information as a public service.  It is not legal advice.  By sending you this information, we are not acting as your lawyer.  Always consult a lawyer, if you can, before taking legal action.

If you have suggestions on how to serve you better, please use our feedback form.