Legal Aid Toolbox
Free Legal Tools for Everyday People
Free legal tools to help everyday people understand their rights, prepare important documents, and navigate common legal situations. No accounts. No subscriptions. No personal data stored. Just tools that work.
THE PROBLEM WITH LEGAL HELP IN AMERICA
Most people cannot afford an attorney for everyday legal situations. A simple landlord dispute, a small debt owed by a contractor, a power of attorney for an aging parent, or a basic will to protect your family can cost hundreds of dollars in attorney fees just to get started.
The tools on this site do not replace an attorney. But they do help you understand your situation, organize your paperwork, know your rights, and walk into any legal situation better prepared than most people ever are.
Every tool on Legal Aid Toolbox is completely free to use. No account required. No personal information collected. Your data never leaves your browser.
OUR FREE TOOLS
Four tools covering the most common legal situations everyday people face.
Preparing a Will
Will Preparation Checklist
A will is one of the most important documents you will ever create, and most people put it off because they do not know where to start. This tool walks you through every step of preparing for a will appointment. Select your state to see exactly how many witnesses you need, whether a notary is required, and whether your state recognizes handwritten wills.
Use the preparation checklist to gather your personal information, decide who to name as executor and guardian, and list your assets before you meet with an attorney or use a self-help form. The people and asset organizer lets you record names, relationships, and property details in one place. Generate a printable summary to bring to your appointment.
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Tenant Rights
Tenant Rights Letter Generator
Renters face some of the most common legal problems in America. Landlords who keep security deposits without cause. Repair requests that go ignored for months. Illegal entry without notice. Retaliation for complaining. Most renters do not know they have the right to send a formal written demand, and that doing so often resolves the problem without going to court.
This tool helps you understand your rights as a renter and generate a professional demand letter for five common situations: repair and habitability demands, security deposit return requests, illegal entry notices, retaliation notices, and lease violation responses. Select your state to see your security deposit return deadline and the maximum deposit allowed by law.
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Small Claims Court
Small Claims Court Kit
Small claims court exists specifically so ordinary people can resolve money disputes without an attorney. Someone owes you money for work you did. A contractor left the job unfinished. A business damaged your property and will not pay. If the amount is within your state’s limit, you may be able to take them to court yourself.
This kit walks you through the entire process, from sending a demand letter before you file, to organizing your evidence, to showing up prepared on hearing day. Select your state to see your court’s name, the maximum claim amount, the filing fee range, and where to file. The demand letter generator creates a ready-to-send formal letter. The evidence log helps you number and organize every document you plan to bring.
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Power of Attorney
Power of Attorney Checklist
A power of attorney lets you authorize someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf. It is one of the most important documents for protecting yourself and your family as you age, face a medical situation, or manage property across state lines. But many people do not know which type they need, what their state requires, or how to make sure it will actually be accepted by banks and institutions.
This tool explains the six main types of power of attorney in plain language, walks you through your state’s exact notarization and witness requirements, and provides the suggested durability language for your state. Use the agent details form to document who you are naming and what powers you are granting, then generate a printable summary to bring to your notary or attorney appointment.
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WHY LEGAL AID TOOLBOX
Legal Aid Toolbox was built on one idea: the gap between people who can afford legal help and people who cannot should not determine whether you know your rights.
Every tool on this site is built for plain-language readability. No legal jargon. No confusing forms. Just clear, step-by-step guidance that helps you understand your situation and take action.
What makes these tools different:
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All 50 states covered with state-specific rules, limits, and requirements
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Your data stays in your browser. Nothing is stored on our servers
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Save your progress to a file on your computer and pick up where you left off
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Print or download your checklists, letters, and summaries at any time
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No account required. No email address. No subscription