If you live outside our service area, need assistance finding an attorney, or have other general questions, we've provided a series of listings and links to point you in the right direction.
Other resources in our service area
- SDLawHelp.org Information and resources on many legal issues statewide.
- South Dakota Free Legal Answers
- State Bar of South Dakota provides a list of other available legal resources.
- South Dakota Lawyer Referral Services - a lawyer referral services for South Dakota.
- Helpline Center - connect individuals to information and assistance.
Bankruptcy
https://www.sdlawhelp.org/node/51/bankruptcy Information on filing for bankruptcy.
COVID-19 Assistance
https://www.helplinecenter.org/when-disaster-strikes/ List of many resources for economic, mental health and other assistance relating to COVID-19.
https://www.helplinecenter.org/2-1-1-community-resources/one-sioux-falls-fund/ Mortgage assistance for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.sdimmigrantfund.org/english Application and information on emergency relief fund for immigrants in South Dakota affected financially by COVID-19.
https://artssouthdakota.org/south-dakota-artist-emergency-relief-fund/ Emergency relief fund for South Dakota artists who have been financially impacted by COVID-19.
https://ccfesd.org/covid-19-relief-fund/ Emergency relief fund through the Catholic Community Foundation for Eastern South Dakota.
Disability
https://www.drsdlaw.org/ Information on disability rights in South Dakota.
Economic Assistance
https://dss.sd.gov/economicassistance/snap/ Information from DSS on SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) information.
Family Law
https://www.sdlawhelp.org/topics/9/family-law Information on a variety of family law topics.
Adoption
https://www.lsssd.org/what-we-do/family-services/adoption-services/ Information on the adoption process from Lutheran Social Services.
Adult Protective Services
https://dhs.sd.gov/ltss/adultprotective.aspx Information from DHS on adult protection services, including abuse and neglect.
Child Protection
https://dss.sd.gov/childprotection/ Information from DSS on child protection services
Child Support
https://dss.sd.gov/childsupport/ Information from DSS on child support
Divorce
https://ujslawhelp.sd.gov/divorce.aspx Information and forms on filing for divorce.
Guardianship
https://dhs.sd.gov/guardianship/default.aspx Information from DHS on adult guardianships.
Protection Orders
https://ujslawhelp.sd.gov/protectionorders.aspx Information and forms for filing a protection order.
http://www.statebarofsouthdakota.com/p/cm/ld/fid=27 General information on protection orders from the State Bar of South Dakota.
Housing
https://consumer.sd.gov/fastfacts/landlordtenant.aspx Fast Facts sheet from South Dakota Consumer Protection website with general information on topics such as rental agreements, security deposits, and eviction.
https://consumer.sd.gov/docs/LLTenGuide_2015-5.5x8.5_online2.pdf – Landlord/Tenant Booklet from South Dakota Consumer Protection website.
http://www.siouxfallshousing.org/ Sioux Falls Housing and Redevelopment Commission website with information on housing programs and other housing information.
https://www.sdlawhelp.org/topics/4/housing Information on foreclosures, Landlord-Tenant law, and more.
https://www.hud.gov/states/south_dakota/renting/tenantrights Housing and Urban Development website with information on South Dakota Tenant rights, laws, and protections.
https://www.helplinecenter.org/2-1-1-community-resources/one-sioux-falls-fund/ Mortgage assistance for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Medicaid
https://consumer.sd.gov/fastfacts/medicaid.aspx Fast Facts sheet from South Dakota Consumer Protection website with general information on Medicaid including fraud and elder abuse.
Natural Disaster Relief
https://dps.sd.gov/emergency-services/emergency-management/recovery/individual-assistance Information and application for financial assistance after a natural disaster.
Representing Yourself in Court
https://ujslawhelp.sd.gov/represent.aspx Information on when and how you can represent yourself in court.
https://ujs.sd.gov/uploads/pubs/UJS%20300%20-%20A%20Guide%20for%20Representing%20Yourself.pdf Guide on how to represent yourself in court.
https://ujslawhelp.sd.gov/guideserve.aspx Forms for self-representation including divorce, name change, protection order, Guardian/Conservator, expungement, order to show cause, and modification of child support.
https://ujslawhelp.sd.gov/prepare.aspx Information to know before attending court.
https://ujslawhelp.sd.gov/mediation.aspx Information on mediation, an alternative solution to bringing a claim to court.
https://www.sdlawhelp.org/topics/53/court-self-help More information on representing yourself in court.
Small Claims
https://consumer.sd.gov/docs/small_claims_brochure.pdf Brochure from South Dakota Consumer Protection website with information on how to start or defend a small claims case.
https://ujs.sd.gov/Small_Claims/Default.aspx Information and forms on filing a small claims case.
https://ujslawhelp.sd.gov/smallclaims.aspx Information and forms on filing a small claims case.
Social Security
https://consumer.sd.gov/fastfacts/socialsecurity.aspx Fast Facts sheet from South Dakota Consumer Protection website with general information on social security.
https://www.sdlawhelp.org/topics/21/health Information on Social Security Disability.
Unemployment
https://dlr.sd.gov/ra/default.aspx Information on reemployment assistance.
https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1810 Information on South Dakota unemployment insurance.
Veterans
https://vetaffairs.sd.gov/benefits/State/intro%20to%20state%20benefits.aspx South Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs website with information on State and Federal veteran benefits.
Victims of Crime
https://chssd.org/childrensinn/ Free services for women, children and men who are victims of family violence, elder abuse, child abuse, neglect or sexual assault.
https://thecompasscenter.org/ Crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling, and prevention education service to those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
https://dps.sd.gov/victims-services The Victims’ Assistance Program provides resources to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and other violent crimes.
https://sdnafvsa.com/home/ South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault website.
Wills
https://consumer.sd.gov/fastfacts/wills.aspx - Fast Facts sheet from South Dakota Consumer Protection website with general information on wills, trusts, and guardianships and conservatorships.
https://www.sdlawhelp.org/topics/32/estate-planning Information on wills, trusts, and power of attorney.
General resources
- Department of Social Services Strengthening and supporting individuals and families by promoting cost effective and comprehensive services in connection with our partners that foster independent and healthy families.
- Department of Human Services Opportunities to enable older South Dakotans and adults who are disabled to live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives.
- Children's Inn Free services for women, children and men who are victims of family violence, elder abuse, child abuse, neglect or sexual assault.
- The Compass Center Crisis intervention, advocacy, counseling, and prevention education service to those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
State Resources
- Legal Services Corporation (LSC) Single largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans in the nation.
- Dakota Plains Legal Services Legal representation, advocacy, conflict resolution, and community education options to met the legal needs of our Native American and non-Native clients of our community.
- Access to Justice
- South Dakota Unified Judicial System A project of the South Dakota Unified Judicial System to provide information for and guidance to pro se litigants. This site has individual webpages for protection order assistance, family law support, and information for veterans and active military personnel.
- Nativie American Rights Fund