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Legal help & your rights

Free and low-cost legal help, discrimination complaints and small claims court

By J&H Digital Services LLCChecked Oct 23, 202615 sources

In short

If your income is low, start with Idaho Legal Aid Services, (208) 746-7541. If you can pay, the Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service connects you with a lawyer for a free 30-minute first meeting. For disputes up to $15,000 (the limit since July 1, 2026), you can file in small claims court yourself for $69.

Free civil legal help: Idaho Legal Aid Services, (208) 746-7541
Find a lawyer: Idaho State Bar referral, (208) 334-4500; $35 referral, first 30 minutes free
Small claims limit: $15,000 since July 1, 2026
Small claims filing fee: $69
Housing discrimination: Intermountain Fair Housing Council, (208) 383-0695

Where can I get free or low-cost legal help?

Idaho Legal Aid Services (Boise office)

Free civil legal help for people with low incomes

Best for: Evictions, landlord problems, family law, domestic violence and benefits

Address: 1447 S. Tyrell Lane, Boise, ID 83706
Phone: (208) 746-7541 (Legal Advice Line)
Hours: Mon, Tue and Thu 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Wed by appointment; Fri 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Apply online or by phone
Free self-help forms and brochures on renting, deposits and repairs

Income limits apply, and it cannot take every case

The Boise office serves Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties. A Nampa office serves Canyon County through the same phone line.

Website ↗CallDirections

Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program

Free help from volunteer lawyers, run by the Idaho Law Foundation

Best for: Low-income people with a civil legal problem who need advice or a lawyer

Phone: (208) 334-4500

Advice, brief help and some full representation, such as divorce, custody, eviction and guardianship
Phone clinics and 'Lawyer in the Library' clinics

Most clients have household income at or below 125% of the federal poverty level

Website ↗Call

Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service

Referrals to private lawyers

Best for: People who can pay a lawyer but do not know whom to call

Phone: (208) 334-4500

First consultation of up to 30 minutes is free
Lawyers must be in good standing and carry malpractice insurance

$35 referral fee (free for personal injury, medical malpractice and workers' comp cases)
After the first meeting, you pay the lawyer's normal rates

Request a referral online at idaho.community.lawyer.

Website ↗Call

University of Idaho College of Law clinics (Boise)

Free help from law students supervised by faculty

Best for: IRS disputes, small business formation, immigration, and survivors of domestic or sexual abuse

Address: 501 W. Front St., Boise, ID 83702
Phone: (208) 885-2255

Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic: IRS audits, appeals and collections; apply online or call (208) 364-6166
Family Justice Clinic works with Faces of Hope for abuse survivors
Entrepreneurship Law Clinic helps small businesses and nonprofits

Student clinics take a limited number of cases; call to check eligibility

Website ↗CallDirections

Where do I report discrimination or a consumer problem?

Intermountain Fair Housing Council

Fair housing help and complaints

Best for: Renters or buyers treated unfairly because of race, disability, family status, religion, sex or national origin

Address: 2201 Woodlawn Ave., Suite 1, Boise, ID 83702
Phone: (208) 383-0695 or 1-800-717-0695

Website ↗CallDirections

Idaho Human Rights Commission

State agency for discrimination complaints

Best for: Discrimination in jobs, housing, education and public places

Address: 317 W. Main St., Boise
Phone: (208) 334-2873 or 1-888-249-7025

Free; you do not need a lawyer
Start with a confidential online intake questionnaire

You must file with the commission before you can sue for discrimination under Idaho law, so act quickly; ask the commission about deadlines

Website ↗CallDirections

Idaho Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division

Consumer fraud and scam complaints

Best for: Scams, unfair business practices and problem contractors

Website ↗Call

How does small claims court work?

How much can I sue for?

Up to $15,000 in money or property value. Senate Bill 1330 raised the limit from $5,000, effective July 1, 2026.

What does it cost?

$69 to file. An appeal costs $81 and must be filed within 30 days of the judgment.

Can I bring a lawyer?

No. You can talk to a lawyer before and after, but you speak for yourself in court. A business can send an owner or employee.

Where do I file?

In the magistrate court of the county where the other person lives or where the problem happened. The Ada County Courthouse is at 200 W. Front St., Boise; Canyon County's is at 1115 Albany St., Caldwell. You can also e-file through Idaho Guide and File.

Where do I get the forms?

The Idaho Court Assistance Office has free small claims forms and step-by-step instructions, including how to collect if you win.

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Sources (15) · Checked Oct 23, 2026

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