Do I qualify for
legal assistance?In order to qualify for legal aid, you must meet certain income requirements, have a North Dakota legal issue, and complete an application.
Who is LSND and what do we do?
Legal Services of North Dakota is a non-profit organization, providing legal assistance in a variety of matters to low income and elderly North Dakotans.
Legal Services of North Dakota is a grantee of the Legal Services Corporation and provides free legal assistance to low-income or elderly individuals. Legal Services of North Dakota does NOT charge clients for legal services. If you have received a request to pay for legal services or a notice to remit payment, please contact Legal Services of North Dakota directly and do NOT send payment.
Legal Services of North Dakota does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or age in the delivery of services.
Self Help Resources
Lifeline Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, and Other Crimes
What is Lifeline Support for Survivors? Lifeline Support for Survivors is a special program created to help people who have experienced domestic violence, human trafficking, and similar crimes. This program helps these survivors by providing them with phone and...
Indian Estate Planning
Estate planning is a process that may include the writing of a will, a gift deed, land consolidation, etc. and takes into account all your real, personal, and trust property. Estate planning allows you to come up with a plan on how your property will pass to others...
What is Eminent Domain?
What Is Eminent Domain? Eminent domain is the government’s right to take a person’s private property for public use. For example, the government may take a person’s private property for the purpose of flood protection. Does The Government Have To Pay Me To Take My...
Cyber Stalking: Protecting Yourself from Phone and Location Hacking
As technology becomes more integrated into our lives, perpetrators of domestic violence increasingly exploit digital tools to exert control and surveillance over their victims. Phone and location hacking are common methods used to track and monitor victims,...
Adult Name Change
A court process is necessary to obtain an adult name change. Here is an overview of the process:Forms Needed For An Adult Name Change: 1. Notice of Petition For Name Change2. Petition for Name Change3. Affidavit of Petitioner4. Confidential Information Form5. Order...
Becoming a United States Citizen
Benefits Of Citizenship: • You cannot be removed (deported) from the U.S. for any reason.• You can get a U.S. Passport for traveling.• You can vote.• Your minor children born abroad who came to the U.S. with you will automatically become U.S. citizens by law.• You...
Pointers for a Successful Court Hearing
Your appearance, demeanor, and testimony can be essential to your court hearing. It is important that you are properly prepared. If you follow some basic rules, you should have a more successful hearing.Appearance is important: A neat appearance and proper dress in...
LSND Receives $10,000 Legendary Empowerment Grant to Develop Economic Toolkit for Domestic Violence Survivors
Download Print VersionBismarck, ND – June 17, 2024 – Legal Services of North Dakota is proud to announce that it has been selected as a recipient of the Legendary Empowerment Grant, awarded by the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (ND DOCR)....
Power of Attorney for Financial Decisions
What Is A Financial Power of Attorney? • A document in which you appoint someone to handle your financial or other decisions; however, this does not include health decisions. There is a separate document for health care decisions called a Health Care Directive.• The...
What is a Conservatorship?
What Is A Conservatorship? A conservatorship is a court action which appoints someone to handle your money and property. A conservator is appointed when the court determines you cannot manage your own property and affairs for reasons such as a mental or physical...
How Is Residential Responsibility (Formerly Known As Custody) Decided?
Residential responsibility is not decided by what is fair to the parents. It is a decision the Courts must make when parents cannot agree. Courts consider what is in the “best interests of the child” and look at the following factors: • Parents’ emotional ties with...
How Can a Claim of Exemptions Help Me?
What is a Claim for Exemptions? A Claim for Exemptions is a legal paper which stops your creditor from taking some or all of your property to pay your bill. How Can a Creditor Take My Property to Pay a Bill? • When you owe someone money, that person or company is a...
Free Passage Rights Of North American Indians Born In Canada Under The Jay Treaty And 8 U.S.C. § 1359
History • The Jay Treaty of 1794 between the United States and Great Britain recognized the right of North American Indians to cross the international border between Canada and the United States. • Some historians and legal scholars argue that the treaty was abrogated...
Basics for New Taxpayers
Are you new to the United States? Or are you just starting your first job? Do you need some basic information to help you understand taxes and how they affect you when you are working in the United States? This information is for you.What Are Taxes And What Are They...
What is a Guardianship?
What is Guardianship? Guardianship is a court action appointing someone to make decisions for you when you become incapable of making your own decisions, usually due to an illness or when an incapacity endangers your health or safety. A guardianship may severely limit...