Legal Help & Financial Counseling - Financial Regulation
Last reviewed or updated: September 25, 2024
Use this page to find resources for consumer legal assistance, financial counseling, and other support services in Maryland*. Financial education webpages from the federal government are also linked below.
Most resources listed here provide their services for free or at a reduced rate for eligible individuals, however, some private attorneys or counselors may charge fees depending on the program or type of assistance. Verify that the provider you’re working with has the appropriate certification, accreditation, or license to practice and is in good standing before paying for any service.
Legal Assistance – Find a Lawyer or Get Legal Advice
The Maryland Court Help Center (410-260-1392) provides free legal help to individuals who do not have a lawyer.
- The People’s Law Library of Maryland - Legal Services Directory and Legal Clinic Calendar
- Maryland Legal Services Corp. - Find Legal Help – online legal services search tool
- Maryland Legal Aid 1-888-465-2468
- Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service 1-800-510-0050 or 410-547-6537
- Civil Justice 443-853-1011
- Maryland Justice Passport – online tool for legal assistance referrals and case management, administered by Civil Justice
- Debtor Assistance Project – free bankruptcy legal advice for individuals who do not have a lawyer
- Maryland State Bar Association – phone numbers for local bar associations
- Foreclosure Legal Help (1-877-462-7555): Maryland Legal Services Providers
Foreclosure legal assistance is available for free or at a reduced rate for eligible homeowners.See Foreclosure Help for Homeowners for more resources.
Financial Counseling, Credit Counseling & Housing Counseling
Find a Financial Counselor, Credit Counselor or Housing Counselor
- Find An Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) and AFC Certification Verification
- Financial Counseling Association of America 1-800-450-1794
- National Foundation for Credit Counseling 1-888-419-6814 or 1-888-774-4173
- HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Services 1-800-569-4287
- Foreclosure Help (1-877-462-7555): Maryland HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Foreclosure-prevention housing counseling provided by a HUD-approved agency is free. See Foreclosure Help for Homeowners for more resources.
Financial Wellness, Empowerment & Education – Counseling, Coaching & Classes
- CASH Campaign of Maryland - Maryland CASH Academy 410-528-8006
- University of Maryland Extension - Financial Wellness Center 301-405-2907
- Baltimore City Financial Empowerment Center 410-396-3100
- Gaithersburg Financial Empowerment Center 240-454-5199
- Financial Empowerment Center at Prince George’s Community College 301-546-5296
- Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness – for student loan borrowers
Additional Support Services
Use these resources to find additional support services in Maryland, including assistance with housing, food, employment, childcare, utilities, taxes and more.
- 2-1-1 Maryland (dial 211)
- Maryland Dept. of Human Services (myMDTHINK) - Find and Apply for State Assistance
- CASH Campaign of Maryland - Benefits Screening – for local, state and federal benefits
- Maryland Community Action Partnership - Get Help and Find an Agency Some community action agencies offer free financial planning in addition to other services.
Learn More & Avoid Scams
- What is a financial counselor and what is a financial coach? (from the National Financial Educators Council)
- Frequently Asked Questions (from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau):
- What is credit counseling?
- What is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, and how can they help me?
- What is the difference between credit counseling and debt settlement, debt consolidation, or credit repair?
- How can I tell a credit repair scam from a reputable credit counselor?
- What are mortgage loan modification scams?
- Mortgage Relief Scams and debt and credit scams (from the Federal Trade Commission)
Federal Financial Education Resources
Federal financial regulatory agencies have online resources that cover a range of topics, including credit, debt, banking, budgeting, consumer protections, scams and fraud, and planning for major life events like buying a home, paying for higher education, or preparing for retirement.
- Consumer Resources & Financial Education Tools – Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- HelpWithMyBank.gov – Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
- MyCreditUnion.gov – National Credit Union Administration
- Money Smart Financial Education Program and Consumer Assistance – Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
- Consumer.gov and Consumer Advice – Federal Trade Commission
- MyMoney.gov – Federal Financial Literacy & Education Commission
The Office of Financial Regulation does not provide legal or financial advice or represent the legal or financial interests of individual consumers.
* DISCLAIMER: Although the resources on this page have been researched and many are partners with the Office of Financial Regulation on outreach and educational initiatives, sharing these resources does not constitute an official endorsement by the Commissioner or the Office of Financial Regulation of any opinions, products or services offered or provided by the resources or by any individuals, agencies or organizations found through the resources’ online search tools or referral services.