The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program Announces New Tool for People Seeking Help in Family Court

The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program is pleased to announce the launch of a new tool on the website, LawHelp.org/DC for individuals in Family Court who cannot afford a lawyer.  Six interactive online interviews will enable people with divorce, custody, and child support cases to fill out forms without outside legal assistance.

The interviews gather an individual’s information through a series of interactive questions, then display it in a printable document that the individual can file in D.C. Superior Court. By employing a user-friendly, plain-language format that avoids legal jargon, the interviews are designed to be accessible to non-lawyers. When the online forms do not provide the person with the help he or she needs, the individual is directed to go to the Family Court Self-Help Center at D.C. Superior Court for in-person assistance.

Interviews are currently available for the following:

• Complaint for Absolute Divorce


• Contested Answer to Complaint for Absolute Divorce and Counterclaim


• Complaint for Custody and/or Visitation


• Contested Answer to Complaint for Custody and/or Visitation


• Motion to Modify Custody and/or Visitation


• Motion to Modify Child Support

The family law online interviews will also provide a convenient and easy-to-use resource for social service organizations and their clients. We hope to increase the number of interactive forms available in the future.

We invite you to explore these new resources.