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Still Their Dad

Free legal advice and help for dads

One of the hardest things about separating as a dad is that good legal advice costs money, right when money is tightest. Here is the honest position: since 2013, legal aid has gone for most family cases, so a lot of dads end up representing themselves. But there is real free and low-cost help out there, and this is where to find it.

Start with the free guides here

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This whole site is free and written in plain English, so before you pay for anything, a lot of what you need may already be here:

Section titled “Can you get legal aid?”

For most private family disputes, child arrangements, contact, who a child lives with, maintenance, legal aid is no longer available (it was removed for these in 2013). The main exception is domestic abuse or risk of harm: if you or your children are at risk and you can provide the required evidence, you may get legal aid, subject to a means test on your income and savings. Legal aid also still funds family mediation (the MIAM and the sessions) if you qualify financially.

This applies whoever the abuse is against. Dads can be victims too, and that can unlock legal aid (see the domestic abuse section below).

Free advice charities and helplines

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  • Families Need Fathers (Both Parents Matter): the main charity for separated dads. A helpline (0300 0300 363), forums, and local groups where you can talk to dads who have been through it. This also answers the “fathers helping fathers” need, you are not the first to face this.
  • Child Law Advice (Coram): free guidance on child arrangements, going to court and child protection, with an advice line (see their site for current hours).
  • Support Through Court: free, practical help, in person and by phone, if you are going to court without a lawyer.
  • Citizens Advice: free, independent help understanding your options.
  • Advicenow: free, plain-English guides, including one specifically on getting free or low-cost legal advice.

Free or low-cost advice from lawyers

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  • Law Centres: free legal advice from solicitors and advisers, where there is one near you.
  • Advocate: can find you a barrister to give free advice or represent you at court, if you are not eligible for legal aid and cannot afford to pay.
  • LawWorks: a network of free legal advice clinics.
  • A free first appointment: many family solicitors offer a free or low-cost first half hour. Ask too about fixed fees or unbundled help (paying for one piece, like checking a document or a letter), which is far cheaper than full representation.

If there is domestic abuse

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If you or the children are at risk, that is both serious and one of the few routes that can unlock legal aid. In an emergency, always call 999. For male victims, the Men’s Advice Line (0808 8010 327) offers confidential support. If allegations are involved, in either direction, see if allegations are made about you.

What we are

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Still Their Dad is a small, self-funded project run by a dad, free to use. We cannot represent you or give legal advice for your case, but we can help you understand the system and point you to the people who can.

Last reviewed: 26 June 2026. Eligibility rules, helplines and services change, so check the official links above before you rely on anything here.