The Self Help Family Law Center is a free program that assists self-represented litigants with legal information and court forms. Volunteers are on-site Mondays from 9:00 am to Noon and Wednesdays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, but do not provide legal advice or recommend a course of action.
This site lists links to statewide and county self-help websites, law libraries, staff attorneys, and more.
Legal Assistance
Legal aid lawyers and paralegals provide free assistance to low-income people with civil legal problems. This includes everything from defending clients against evictions to fighting for their rights with public benefits.
Most legal aid offices concentrate on one area or issue (such as domestic violence or housing discrimination). Others are more general and provide assistance to anyone who qualifies regardless of income level.
The ABA’s Find Legal Help resources are a good place to start for finding legal services that can help with family law issues. You can also check with your local bar association to see if they offer any referrals or pro bono opportunities for legal assistance.
Some states also have self-help centers where volunteers can help you complete court forms or answer procedural questions. To locate a center, visit the state court’s website or contact your legal aid office.
Court Forms
Court forms are printed documents with spaces that allow you to insert information. These forms are often created by courts, self-help centers, legal aid organizations, and the like to help people with their court cases.
When using court forms, it is important to read the form carefully and follow the directions that came with the form. It is also helpful to ask a self-help center staff member or the clerk of the court to explain any forms that you are not sure about.
During the course of your case, you will need to fill out many forms. It is good to have copies of your completed forms in a safe place for future use. Organize your copies by date, so you will know what document to take to the courthouse when it is needed.
Custody X Change
Custody X Change helps parents create and track professional-quality parenting plans. Its custody software is used by tens of thousands of people around the world to get what’s best for their children.
Child custody cases are often a lengthy process, which can be stressful for all parties involved. Custody X Change makes the process easier and less painful by helping you create a parenting plan, schedule, expense tracking and more all in one place.
It can also help you keep track of court orders and follow them, which can be especially important if your child’s other parent isn’t following them.
The app also lets you record messages with your child’s other parent, track expenses and more. It’s the perfect way to stay organized and prepared for anything that might happen along the way.
If you’re a self-represented litigant in family court, it can be helpful to be as organized as possible. This can make you look more professional, which can be useful to the judge.
New York State
Family Law is the legal area of law that deals with issues such as divorce, spousal support, child custody, visitation rights, paternity, adoption, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and marital property division.
New York State has several types of Family Courts including a family court in each county and in each city borough. These courts hear cases involving child custody, support, abuse, paternity and other family related issues.
These courts are usually heard by judges or Court Attorney Referees. However, in some cases a Support Magistrate can also hear these cases.
If you are not represented by a lawyer, it is important to understand your rights and how the court will decide the case. This information can help you and your lawyer make informed decisions about the best way to proceed with your case.
