Delaware Pro Se Help: Free Court Self-Help Centers and Legal Aid by County
If you are handling a divorce, custody, support or protective order case in Delaware on your own, start with the free help that already exists. This page lists, for each of the 3 counties, the court's self-help program and the free legal aid office that serves it, with phone numbers and websites.
Statewide: Delaware Courts Self-Help Center. Helps people handle civil, family, criminal, or traffic cases without hiring a lawyer, with guides and videos.
Kent County: court help from Family Court Resource Center - Kent County, phone (302) 672-1000. Free legal aid from Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, phone (302) 575-0408 ext. 100. Covers Bowers, Camden, Cheswold, Clayton, Dover, Farmington, Felton, Frederica, Harrington, Hartly, Houston, and Kenton.
New Castle County: court help from Family Court Resource Center - New Castle County, phone (302) 255-0300. Free legal aid from Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, phone (302) 575-0408 ext. 100. Covers Arden, Ardencroft, Ardentown, Bellefonte, Clayton, Delaware City, Elsmere, Middletown, New Castle, Newark, Newport, and Odessa.
Sussex County: court help from Family Court Resource Center - Sussex County, phone (302) 855-7400. Free legal aid from Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, phone (302) 575-0408 ext. 100. Covers Bethany Beach, Bethel, Blades, Bridgeville, Dagsboro, Delmar, Dewey Beach, Ellendale, Fenwick Island, Frankford, Georgetown, and Greenwood.
Where can I get free help with a family court case in Delaware without a lawyer? Start with Delaware Courts Self-Help Center, run by Delaware Judiciary, Administrative Office of the Courts. 3 of 3 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Legal Services Corporation of Delaware if you qualify by income.
Does every Delaware county have its own self-help center? No. 3 of 3 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Delaware Courts Self-Help Center, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Delaware.
Who gives free legal aid in Delaware? Delaware is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Legal Services Corporation of Delaware. Each one serves set counties, so check the listing for your county. Help is free for people who qualify, usually by income.
What is a court self-help center? It is a free help desk run by or for the court for people handling their own case without a lawyer. Staff can explain which forms you need, how to fill them out, how filing and service work, and what happens next. They are not your lawyer, so they cannot tell you what to ask for or how to argue your case.
What is the difference between a self-help center and legal aid? A self-help center helps anyone who walks in or calls, whatever their income, with forms and court steps. A legal aid office is a nonprofit law office that can give free legal advice and sometimes a free lawyer, but only to people who qualify, usually by income. Many parents use both.
What should I have ready before I call? Your county, your case number if you have one, the names of both parents and the children, any papers you were served, and any deadline or hearing date. Write down the date you called, who you spoke to, and what they told you.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free help with a family court case in Delaware without a lawyer?
Start with Delaware Courts Self-Help Center, run by Delaware Judiciary, Administrative Office of the Courts. 3 of 3 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Legal Services Corporation of Delaware if you qualify by income.
Does every Delaware county have its own self-help center?
No. 3 of 3 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Delaware Courts Self-Help Center, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Delaware.
Who gives free legal aid in Delaware?
Delaware is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Legal Services Corporation of Delaware. Each one serves set counties, so check the listing for your county. Help is free for people who qualify, usually by income.
What is a court self-help center?
It is a free help desk run by or for the court for people handling their own case without a lawyer. Staff can explain which forms you need, how to fill them out, how filing and service work, and what happens next. They are not your lawyer, so they cannot tell you what to ask for or how to argue your case.
What is the difference between a self-help center and legal aid?
A self-help center helps anyone who walks in or calls, whatever their income, with forms and court steps. A legal aid office is a nonprofit law office that can give free legal advice and sometimes a free lawyer, but only to people who qualify, usually by income. Many parents use both.
What should I have ready before I call?
Your county, your case number if you have one, the names of both parents and the children, any papers you were served, and any deadline or hearing date. Write down the date you called, who you spoke to, and what they told you.