The Florida Bar offers educational consumer pamphlets as a public service. These pamphlets are not a substitute for hiring an attorney but are intended to provide basic legal information about the topics they cover. Although they are informative, they do not replace the expertise of an experienced practicing attorney.
Here you’ll also find links to useful forms and resources, and a list of volunteer opportunities, developed by the Bar’s Citizens Advisory Committee, for nonlawyers interested in getting involved with the legal and judicial system.
The “How to Hire a Lawyer” webpage, presented by The Florida Bar Citizens Advisory Committee, serves as a starting point for consumers facing a legal situation or considering working with a lawyer.
Consumer Pamphlets
These pamphlets are produced by the Consumer Protection Law Committee as a public service.
Automobile
Credit
General
Immigration
 U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents |
 Notaries, Immigration and the Law |
| Immigration Resources: The Federal Trade Commission offers an Immigration Toolkit with helpful resources for advocates and consumers in immigrant communities. | |
Intellectual Property
Legal Services and Consumer Protection
Real Property
Wills, Trusts and Estates
Forms
Living Will Forms: Includes Florida Living Will and Florida Health Care Surrogate.
Landlord/Tenant Forms: Includes Residential Lease and Eviction Notices.
Florida Courts Help
Florida Courts Help is a website to help consumers navigate the court system. The site includes a list of frequently asked questions and forms related to family law, the probate process, guardianship, small claims and more.
Lawyer Referral Service
Many local bar associations in Florida sponsor lawyer referral services, listed under “attorney” or “attorney referral services” in the yellow pages of the telephone book. These services can set up an initial appointment for you with a lawyer for a nominal fee (local Bar-sponsored program charges between $25 to $50).
If there is no lawyer referral service in your city, The Florida Bar’s statewide Lawyer Referral Service can locate a lawyer for you. You can call this service toll-free at 800-342-8011.
Help for Homeowners
Free foreclosure avoidance counseling is available from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
If you have been served papers, contact your local legal office immediately. The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers referrals to attorneys for low-fee consultations.
Excerpts from the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar
Legal & Judicial System Volunteer Opportunities for Nonlawyers
Nonlawyer members of the public can participate in Florida’s justice and legal system through volunteer service. There are many nonlawyer seats on Florida Bar committees and boards, and other volunteer opportunities for those who want to support or advocate for special populations in their community.