Self-Help Center & Family Law Facilitator Office
If you do not have an attorney, the Self-Help Center and Family Law Faciliator may be able to assist you with procedural information and instructions on completing forms.
Services we offer
We help people who need legal information but don't have a lawyer. We can answer questions about your case, help you determine which forms you need and how to fill them out, and explain different legal options. We do not give legal advice (we can tell you how to do something but we can't tell you what choice you should make); we are not your attorney. Depending on your situation, we may refer you to a private attorney or another resource. Our services are free of charge.
We can only provide information and assistance with matters in California and sometimes only in Mono County. If you have a case in another state, we cannot assist you with that case.
Case types the Self-Help Center can help with
Case types the Family Law Facilitator can help with
A Family Law Facilitator is an attorney appointed by the court to assist parents in resolving child support and health insurance issues that arise when parents separate. Priority is given to those parents who cannot afford to hire an attorney for child support matters. The Facilitator may be able to assist self-represented litigants with other family law matters through the Self-Help Center.
The Facilitator CAN:
- explain the court process to you,
- mediate disputes about child custody and spousal support, stepparent adoptions, guardianships, and name changes,
- help you prepare for court,
- refer you to the Family Support Division and other community resources,
- answer other family law questions that you may have, and
- provide you with information on how to handle the important issues of child support, spousal support, paternity, custody & visitation, and requesting or responding to a domestic violence restraining order.
The Facilitator CANNOT:
- represent you in court, nor
- give you legal advice regarding your particular case.
Required Materials
For your meeting with the Facilitator, you must bring:
- A copy of any court documents relating to your case
- Income and expense information
- Your last three paycheck stubs or AFDC invoice
- A copy of your last tax return
Upon arrival, you will be asked to fill out an Intake Form. If you need to fill out forms to proceed with your case, you may obtain these from the Facilitator. The Facilitator has instructional material that will show you how to fill out these forms.
If you need legal advice, the Facilitator will assist you in finding an attorney to help you.