Some small claims courts in Massachusetts work with legal aid groups to offer free legal help through debt collection legal clinics. These clinics are also called Small Claims “Lawyer for the Day" programs. This means that volunteer lawyers may be available to give you free legal help with your case.
Note
Small claims cases are debt collection lawsuits where the debt is $7,000 or less. Check out The Small Claims Court Process for Debt Collection to learn more.
Every Small Claims Lawyer for the Day program is a little different, but most will help you:
- Understand your rights;
- Explain relevant laws;
- Fill out forms;
- Advise you on your options; and/or
- Represent you in your small claims hearing.
Volunteer lawyers work on a “limited assistance” basis. This means they agree to help you on a specific day with a specific case. In other words, they are only your lawyer for the day of your hearing.
Important
The volunteer lawyer may not continue working on your case if it is not resolved the day of your hearing. Talk to your lawyer about how to move forward and check out some of our self-help resources.
Tip
Look at the location listed at the top of the small claims notice you received in the mail to figure out what court you will be in. These programs are based on the court where you’re being sued, not where you actually live.
As of October 2024, Massachusetts courts with Small Claims Lawyer for the Day programs include:
- Greater Boston Legal Services helps people in Chelsea, Roxbury, East Boston, and Charlestown District Courts.
- Volunteer Lawyers Project helps people in Dorchester and BMC Central.
- Community Legal Aid helps people in Worcester District Court.
- Center for Social Justice, Western New England University School of Law helps people in Springfield.
- South Coastal Counties Legal Services helps people in New Bedford District Court. Starting in mid-November, they will be helping people facing some issues in Brockton District Court.
- Hampden County Legal Clinic helps people with an issue at any District Court in Massachusetts.
| Program | Location(s) | Requirements & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Boston Legal Services | Chelsea, Roxbury, East Boston, Charlestown | None |
| Volunteer Lawyers Project | Dorchester, BMC Central | Income limit: 125% Federal Poverty Guidelines |
| Community Legal Aid | Worcester District Court | Income limit: 150-200% Federal Poverty Guidelines |
| Center for Social Justice, Western New England University School of Law | Springfield District Court | None |
| South Coastal Counties Legal Services | New Bedford District Court (coming soon), Brockton District Court | Income limit: 125% Federal Poverty Guidelines |
| Hampden County Legal Clinic | All District Courts in MA | None |
If there isn’t a Lawyer for the Day program at the court where you’re being sued, try contacting your local legal aid organization ahead of your court date. Check out the Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder to search for legal aid programs and more options.
You can also look through these online self-help resources:
Some Lawyer for the Day programs have eligibility requirements. You may need to meet an income limit or sign up ahead of time. See below for a list of specific requirements:
- If your case is in Chelsea, Roxbury, East Boston, or Charlestown:
- There are no participation requirements. Lawyers from Greater Boston Legal Services will help anyone who wants their services.
- If your case is in Dorchester or BMC Central:
- You must make 125% or less of the federal poverty guidelines.
- If your case is in Worcester District Court:
- You must make 150-200% or less of the federal poverty guidelines.
- If your case is in Springfield:
- There are no participation requirements. Lawyers from the Center for Social Justice will help anyone who asks for it.
- If your case is in New Bedford District Court:
- You must make 125% or less of the federal poverty guidelines.
- If your case is in Brockton District Court:
- You must make 125% or less of the federal poverty guidelines.
- If your case is in any District Court in Massachusetts and you’re looking to get advice from Hampden County Legal Clinic:
- There are no eligibility requirements. Lawyers will help anyone who attends the virtual session.
Note
Most Small Claims Lawyer for the Day programs only help Defendants (the person being sued). If you are a Plaintiff (the person filing the lawsuit), check out Harvard’s Small Claims Advisory Service.
For most Small Claims Lawyer for the Day programs, all you need to do is show up on the day and time of your court date. Lawyers from a legal aid organization will be there to help you.
If you’re looking to get help from Hampden County Legal Clinic, you’ll need to attend their virtual Lawyer for the Day session. The session is every Wednesday from 9:00am-12:00pm. You can find the link to the session on their website under “District Court Lawyer for the Day.” You must fill out an intake form before they can help you.
Your language access rights:
If it is hard for you to understand or speak English, you have the right to a free interpreter at court.
When you go to court for your small claims case, bring:
- Your Statement of Small Claim and Notice of Trial.
- A pen and paper to take notes.
- A short, written explanation of your side of the story to help you during the hearing.
- Witnesses to help you prove your case. They can tell the court that they saw you pay, have seen your emotional distress, etc. You don’t have to bring witnesses but they can help your case a lot.
- Any documents that can be used as evidence to support you, like proof of payment.
If you’re not sure if something will be helpful, it’s a good idea to bring it anyway.
The court sends you a decision about your case in the mail. There are 4 types of decisions you can get:
- Judgment for Defendant: If you win your case, you do not have to do anything. The debt is cleared, and you don’t need to pay it to anyone.
- Judgment for Plaintiff: If you lose your case, you will have to pay the full amount of the judgment. You do not have to pay the full amount all at once. The court will likely schedule a “payment review” a few months after your hearing to figure out how much you can pay toward the debt every month.
- Settlement & Negotiation: If you settle with the Plaintiff, or if you agree to a judgment, you will need to pay the amount you agreed to. Most agreements will let you pay a set amount every month, but look at the agreement for details.
- Continuance: Your case was moved to another day. You will have to come back to court at the specified date and time.
To learn more, see What Happens If I Lose My Debt Collection Case?
Every Small Claims Lawyer for the Day program is a little different, but most will help you:
- Understand your rights;
- Explain relevant laws;
- Fill out forms;
- Advise you on your options; and/or
- Represent you in your small claims hearing.
Volunteer lawyers work on a “limited assistance” basis. This means they agree to help you on a specific day with a specific case. In other words, they are only your lawyer for the day of your hearing.
Important
The volunteer lawyer may not continue working on your case if it is not resolved the day of your hearing. Talk to your lawyer about how to move forward and check out some of our self-help resources.
Tip
Look at the location listed at the top of the small claims notice you received in the mail to figure out what court you will be in. These programs are based on the court where you’re being sued, not where you actually live.
As of October 2024, Massachusetts courts with Small Claims Lawyer for the Day programs include:
- Greater Boston Legal Services helps people in Chelsea, Roxbury, East Boston, and Charlestown District Courts.
- Volunteer Lawyers Project helps people in Dorchester and BMC Central.
- Community Legal Aid helps people in Worcester District Court.
- Center for Social Justice, Western New England University School of Law helps people in Springfield.
- South Coastal Counties Legal Services helps people in New Bedford District Court. Starting in mid-November, they will be helping people facing some issues in Brockton District Court.
- Hampden County Legal Clinic helps people with an issue at any District Court in Massachusetts.
| Program | Location(s) | Requirements & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Boston Legal Services | Chelsea, Roxbury, East Boston, Charlestown | None |
| Volunteer Lawyers Project | Dorchester, BMC Central | Income limit: 125% Federal Poverty Guidelines |
| Community Legal Aid | Worcester District Court | Income limit: 150-200% Federal Poverty Guidelines |
| Center for Social Justice, Western New England University School of Law | Springfield District Court | None |
| South Coastal Counties Legal Services | New Bedford District Court (coming soon), Brockton District Court | Income limit: 125% Federal Poverty Guidelines |
| Hampden County Legal Clinic | All District Courts in MA | None |
If there isn’t a Lawyer for the Day program at the court where you’re being sued, try contacting your local legal aid organization ahead of your court date. Check out the Massachusetts Legal Resource Finder to search for legal aid programs and more options.
You can also look through these online self-help resources:
Some Lawyer for the Day programs have eligibility requirements. You may need to meet an income limit or sign up ahead of time. See below for a list of specific requirements:
- If your case is in Chelsea, Roxbury, East Boston, or Charlestown:
- There are no participation requirements. Lawyers from Greater Boston Legal Services will help anyone who wants their services.
- If your case is in Dorchester or BMC Central:
- You must make 125% or less of the federal poverty guidelines.
- If your case is in Worcester District Court:
- You must make 150-200% or less of the federal poverty guidelines.
- If your case is in Springfield:
- There are no participation requirements. Lawyers from the Center for Social Justice will help anyone who asks for it.
- If your case is in New Bedford District Court:
- You must make 125% or less of the federal poverty guidelines.
- If your case is in Brockton District Court:
- You must make 125% or less of the federal poverty guidelines.
- If your case is in any District Court in Massachusetts and you’re looking to get advice from Hampden County Legal Clinic:
- There are no eligibility requirements. Lawyers will help anyone who attends the virtual session.
Note
Most Small Claims Lawyer for the Day programs only help Defendants (the person being sued). If you are a Plaintiff (the person filing the lawsuit), check out Harvard’s Small Claims Advisory Service.
For most Small Claims Lawyer for the Day programs, all you need to do is show up on the day and time of your court date. Lawyers from a legal aid organization will be there to help you.
If you’re looking to get help from Hampden County Legal Clinic, you’ll need to attend their virtual Lawyer for the Day session. The session is every Wednesday from 9:00am-12:00pm. You can find the link to the session on their website under “District Court Lawyer for the Day.” You must fill out an intake form before they can help you.
Your language access rights:
If it is hard for you to understand or speak English, you have the right to a free interpreter at court.
When you go to court for your small claims case, bring:
- Your Statement of Small Claim and Notice of Trial.
- A pen and paper to take notes.
- A short, written explanation of your side of the story to help you during the hearing.
- Witnesses to help you prove your case. They can tell the court that they saw you pay, have seen your emotional distress, etc. You don’t have to bring witnesses but they can help your case a lot.
- Any documents that can be used as evidence to support you, like proof of payment.
If you’re not sure if something will be helpful, it’s a good idea to bring it anyway.
The court sends you a decision about your case in the mail. There are 4 types of decisions you can get:
- Judgment for Defendant: If you win your case, you do not have to do anything. The debt is cleared, and you don’t need to pay it to anyone.
- Judgment for Plaintiff: If you lose your case, you will have to pay the full amount of the judgment. You do not have to pay the full amount all at once. The court will likely schedule a “payment review” a few months after your hearing to figure out how much you can pay toward the debt every month.
- Settlement & Negotiation: If you settle with the Plaintiff, or if you agree to a judgment, you will need to pay the amount you agreed to. Most agreements will let you pay a set amount every month, but look at the agreement for details.
- Continuance: Your case was moved to another day. You will have to come back to court at the specified date and time.
To learn more, see What Happens If I Lose My Debt Collection Case?
Learn more about how to get ready for a debt collection case in small claims court and how to defend yourself.