Free legal advice after separation in Ireland

If you're looking for free legal advice after separation, FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres) offer free basic legal information and advice clinics, as well as a telephone information line. You can also contact the Courts Service of Ireland for information about family law court processes, including things like maintenance and access applications. One Family's askonefamily helpline is there too if you need support and guidance around separation, they also offer parenting and separation courses if that would help. These services can point you in the right direction and help you understand what options might be available to you.

In Ireland you do not have to choose between paying a solicitor privately and going it alone. The Legal Aid Board runs law centres around the country for civil cases, including family disputes, and a separate mediation service that costs nothing. For quick questions before you commit to anything, there are genuinely free first steps too.

• Civil legal aid covers family disputes, cases about children and marriage breakdown, and is provided through Legal Aid Board law centres staffed by solicitors (citizensinformation.ie).
• Qualifying is based on disposable income and capital after allowances are deducted for things like childcare, accommodation and tax; the current disposable income limit is €18,000, so your take-home pay can be well above that and you may still qualify (legalaidboard.ie).
• Legal aid is not usually completely free; most people pay a contribution, starting from €30 for legal advice depending on income (citizensinformation.ie).
• The Legal Aid Board's family mediation service is free and confidential, and helps separated parents agree parenting arrangements without going to court (legalaidboard.ie).
• FLAC runs a telephone information and referral line and free legal advice clinics with Citizens Information Services; these give first-stop advice and referrals, not representation (flac.ie).

Checked August 2026 against citizensinformation.ie, legalaidboard.ie and flac.ie.

Good advice early on can save time, money and stress. Many services offer a free first appointment or means-tested legal aid.

• Bring key dates, any court papers, and a short summary of what you want to resolve.
• Ask about costs up front, and whether legal aid or free help is available.
• An information service can explain your options before you pay for a solicitor.