Florida Pro Se Help: Free Court Self-Help Centers and Legal Aid by County
Pro se means representing yourself. In Florida, free help for pro se parents comes from two places: the court's own self-help programs and nonprofit legal aid. Find your county below to see exactly who to call, or type your city in the search box.
Statewide: Florida Courts Help. Florida's main guide to local self-help centers, legal aid, and free family law court forms.
Alachua County: court help from Eighth Circuit Family Court Case Management Program, phone (352) 548-3781. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Alachua, Archer, Gainesville, Hawthorne, High Springs, La Crosse, Micanopy, Newberry, and Waldo.
Baker County: court help from Eighth Circuit Family Court Case Management Program, phone (352) 548-3781. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Glen St. Mary and Macclenny.
Bay County: court help from Fourteenth Circuit Family Law Self-Help (Bay County), phone (850) 747-5623. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers Callaway, Lynn Haven, Mexico Beach, Panama City, Panama City Beach, Parker, and Springfield.
Bradford County: court help from Eighth Circuit Family Court Case Management Program, phone (352) 548-3781. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Brooker, Hampton, Lawtey, and Starke.
Brevard County: court help from Pro Se Coordinator (Brevard County), phone (321) 633-7780, email ProSeCoordinator@brevardclerk.us. Free legal aid from Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, phone (800) 405-1417. Covers Cape Canaveral, Cocoa, Cocoa Beach, Grant-Valkaria, Indialantic, Indian Harbour Beach, Malabar, Melbourne, Melbourne Beach, Melbourne Village, Palm Bay, and Palm Shores.
Broward County: court help from Broward County Family Court Self-Help, phone (954) 831-6565. Free legal aid from Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, phone (954) 736-2400. Covers Coconut Creek, Cooper City, Coral Springs, Dania Beach, Davie, Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hallandale Beach, Hillsboro Beach, Hollywood, Lauderdale Lakes, and Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.
Calhoun County: court help from Fourteenth Circuit Family Law Self-Help (Holmes, Jackson, Washington, Calhoun, Gulf Counties), phone (850) 718-0480. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers Altha and Blountstown.
Charlotte County: court help from Twentieth Circuit Family Law Self-Help Program (Charlotte, Glades, Hendry Counties), phone (941) 637-2399. Free legal aid from Florida Rural Legal Services, phone (888) 582-3410. Covers Punta Gorda.
Citrus County: court help from Fifth Circuit Family Court Case Management Program (Citrus County), phone (352) 341-7007. Free legal aid from Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, phone (800) 405-1417. Covers Crystal River and Inverness.
Clay County: court help from Fourth Circuit Family Court Services (Clay County), phone (904) 278-3636. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Green Cove Springs, Keystone Heights, Orange Park, and Penney Farms.
Collier County: court help from Collier County Self-Help Center, phone (239) 252-2646. Free legal aid from Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, phone (954) 736-2400. Covers Everglades, Marco Island, and Naples.
Columbia County: court help from Third Circuit Family Court Support Unit, phone (386) 758-2163. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Fort White and Lake City.
DeSoto County: court help from Twelfth Circuit Self-Help Center, phone (941) 861-8191, email courtweb@jud12.flcourts.org. Free legal aid from Florida Rural Legal Services, phone (888) 582-3410. Covers Arcadia.
Dixie County: court help from Third Circuit Family Court Support Unit, phone (386) 758-2163. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Cross City and Horseshoe Beach.
Duval County: court help from Fourth Circuit Family Court Services (Duval County), phone (904) 255-2000. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Atlantic Beach, Baldwin, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, and Neptune Beach.
Escambia County: court help from First Circuit Pro Se Coordinator (Escambia County), phone (850) 595-4407. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers Century and Pensacola.
Flagler County: court help from Seventh Circuit Family Court Self-Help Program (Flagler County), phone (386) 313-4550. Free legal aid from Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, phone (800) 405-1417. Covers Beverly Beach, Bunnell, Flagler Beach, Marineland, and Palm Coast.
Franklin County: court help from Second Circuit Self-Help Program (Franklin County), phone (850) 653-8861. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers Apalachicola and Carrabelle.
Gadsden County: court help from Second Circuit Self-Help Program (Gadsden County), phone (850) 875-8601. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers Chattahoochee, Greensboro, Gretna, Havana, Midway, and Quincy.
Gilchrist County: court help from Eighth Circuit Family Court Case Management Program, phone (352) 548-3781. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Bell, Fanning Springs, and Trenton.
Glades County: court help from Twentieth Circuit Family Law Self-Help Program (Charlotte, Glades, Hendry Counties), phone (941) 637-2399. Free legal aid from Florida Rural Legal Services, phone (888) 582-3410. Covers Moore Haven.
Gulf County: court help from Fourteenth Circuit Family Law Self-Help (Holmes, Jackson, Washington, Calhoun, Gulf Counties), phone (850) 718-0480. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers Port St. Joe and Wewahitchka.
Hamilton County: court help from Third Circuit Family Court Support Unit, phone (386) 758-2163. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Jasper, Jennings, and White Springs.
Hardee County: court help from Tenth Circuit Self-Help Packets (Hardee County), phone (800) 780-5346 ext. 4015. Free legal aid from Florida Rural Legal Services, phone (888) 582-3410. Covers Bowling Green, Wauchula, and Zolfo Springs.
Hendry County: court help from Twentieth Circuit Family Law Self-Help Program (Charlotte, Glades, Hendry Counties), phone (941) 637-2399. Free legal aid from Florida Rural Legal Services, phone (888) 582-3410. Covers Clewiston and LaBelle.
Hernando County: court help from Fifth Circuit Family Court Case Management Program (Hernando County), phone (352) 540-6274. Free legal aid from Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, phone (800) 405-1417. Covers Brooksville and Weeki Wachee.
Highlands County: court help from Tenth Circuit Self-Help Program (Highlands County), phone (863) 402-6618. Free legal aid from Florida Rural Legal Services, phone (888) 582-3410. Covers Avon Park, Lake Placid, and Sebring.
Hillsborough County: court help from Thirteenth Circuit Family Forms Clinic, phone (813) 864-2280. Free legal aid from Bay Area Legal Services, phone (800) 625-2257. Covers Plant City, Tampa, and Temple Terrace.
Holmes County: court help from Fourteenth Circuit Family Law Self-Help (Holmes, Jackson, Washington, Calhoun, Gulf Counties), phone (850) 718-0480. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers Bonifay, Esto, Noma, Ponce de Leon, and Westville.
Indian River County: court help from Nineteenth Circuit Court Administration, phone (772) 807-4370. Free legal aid from Florida Rural Legal Services, phone (888) 582-3410. Covers Fellsmere, Indian River Shores, Orchid, Sebastian, and Vero Beach.
Jackson County: court help from Fourteenth Circuit Family Law Self-Help (Holmes, Jackson, Washington, Calhoun, Gulf Counties), phone (850) 718-0480. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers Alford, Bascom, Campbellton, Cottondale, Graceville, Grand Ridge, Greenwood, Jacob City, Malone, Marianna, and Sneads.
Jefferson County: court help from Second Circuit Self-Help Program (Jefferson County), phone (850) 342-0218. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers Monticello.
Lafayette County: court help from Third Circuit Family Court Support Unit, phone (386) 758-2163. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Mayo.
Lake County: court help from Fifth Circuit Family Court Case Management Program (Lake County), phone (352) 742-4301. Free legal aid from Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, phone (800) 405-1417. Covers Astatula, Clermont, Eustis, Fruitland Park, Groveland, Howey-in-the-Hills, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Mascotte, Minneola, Montverde, and Mount Dora.
Lee County: court help from Lee County Family Court Services, phone (239) 533-2747. Free legal aid from Florida Rural Legal Services, phone (888) 582-3410. Covers Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Estero, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, and Sanibel.
Leon County: court help from Second Circuit Self-Help Program (Leon County), phone (850) 606-4000. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers Tallahassee.
Levy County: court help from Eighth Circuit Family Court Case Management Program, phone (352) 548-3781. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Bronson, Cedar Key, Chiefland, Fanning Springs, Inglis, Otter Creek, Williston, and Yankeetown.
Liberty County: court help from Second Circuit Self-Help Program (Liberty County), phone (850) 643-2215. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers Bristol.
Madison County: court help from Third Circuit Family Court Support Unit, phone (386) 758-2163. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Greenville, Lee, and Madison.
Manatee County: court help from Twelfth Circuit Self-Help Center, phone (941) 861-8191, email courtweb@jud12.flcourts.org. Free legal aid from Bay Area Legal Services, phone (800) 625-2257. Covers Anna Maria, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, Longboat Key, and Palmetto.
Marion County: court help from Fifth Circuit Family Court Case Management Program (Marion County), phone (352) 401-6717. Free legal aid from Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, phone (800) 405-1417. Covers Belleview, Dunnellon, McIntosh, Ocala, and Reddick.
Martin County: court help from Nineteenth Circuit Court Administration, phone (772) 807-4370. Free legal aid from Florida Rural Legal Services, phone (888) 582-3410. Covers Indiantown, Jupiter Island, Ocean Breeze, Sewall's Point, and Stuart.
Miami-Dade County: court help from Family Court Self-Help Program (Miami-Dade County), phone (305) 349-7800, email selfhelp@jud11.flcourts.org. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Greater Miami, phone (305) 576-0080. Covers Aventura, Bal Harbour, Bay Harbor Islands, Biscayne Park, Coral Gables, Cutler Bay, Doral, El Portal, Florida City, Golden Beach, Hialeah, and Hialeah Gardens.
Monroe County: court help from Family Court Self-Help (Monroe County), phone (305) 295-3643, email Janelle.Batista@keyscourts.net. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Greater Miami, phone (305) 576-0080. Covers Islamorada, Village of Islands, Key Colony Beach, Key West, Layton, and Marathon.
Nassau County: court help from Fourth Circuit Family Court Services (Nassau County), phone (904) 548-4908. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Callahan, Fernandina Beach, and Hilliard.
Okaloosa County: court help from First Circuit Self-Help Voicemail (Okaloosa and Walton Counties), phone (850) 864-8561. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers Cinco Bayou, Crestview, Destin, Fort Walton Beach, Laurel Hill, Mary Esther, Niceville, Shalimar, and Valparaiso.
Okeechobee County: court help from Nineteenth Circuit Court Administration, phone (772) 807-4370. Free legal aid from Florida Rural Legal Services, phone (888) 582-3410. Covers Okeechobee.
Orange County: court help from Orange County Self-Help Center, phone (407) 836-6300. Free legal aid from Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, phone (800) 405-1417. Covers Apopka, Bay Lake, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Lake Buena Vista, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, and Winter Garden.
Osceola County: court help from Florida Courts Help. Free legal aid from Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, phone (800) 405-1417. Covers Kissimmee and St. Cloud.
Palm Beach County: court help from Palm Beach County Self-Service Center, phone (561) 355-7048. Free legal aid from Florida Rural Legal Services, phone (888) 582-3410. Covers Atlantis, Belle Glade, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Briny Breezes, Cloud Lake, Delray Beach, Glen Ridge, Golf, Greenacres, Gulf Stream, and Haverhill.
Pasco County: court help from Sixth Circuit Self-Help Services (Pasco County), phone (727) 847-2411 ext. 2211. Free legal aid from Bay Area Legal Services, phone (800) 625-2257. Covers Dade City, New Port Richey, Port Richey, San Antonio, St. Leo, and Zephyrhills.
Pinellas County: court help from Pinellas Clerk of Court Self-Help Services, phone (727) 464-5150. Free legal aid from Bay Area Legal Services, phone (800) 625-2257. Covers Belleair, Belleair Beach, Belleair Bluffs, Belleair Shore, Clearwater, Dunedin, Gulfport, Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Kenneth City, Largo, and Madeira Beach.
Polk County: court help from Tenth Circuit Self-Help Program (Polk County), phone (863) 534-4015. Free legal aid from Florida Rural Legal Services, phone (888) 582-3410. Covers Auburndale, Bartow, Davenport, Dundee, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Highland Park, Hillcrest Heights, Lake Alfred, and Lake Hamilton.
Putnam County: court help from Seventh Circuit Family Court Self-Help Program (Putnam County), phone (386) 329-1911. Free legal aid from Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, phone (800) 405-1417. Covers Crescent City, Interlachen, Palatka, Pomona Park, and Welaka.
Santa Rosa County: court help from First Circuit Pro Se Office (Santa Rosa County), phone (850) 981-5588. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers Gulf Breeze, Jay, and Milton.
Sarasota County: court help from Twelfth Circuit Self-Help Center, phone (941) 861-8191, email courtweb@jud12.flcourts.org. Free legal aid from Bay Area Legal Services, phone (800) 625-2257. Covers Longboat Key, North Port, Sarasota, and Venice.
Seminole County: court help from Self-Represented Litigant Coordinator (Seminole County), phone (407) 665-4200. Free legal aid from Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, phone (800) 405-1417. Covers Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Longwood, Oviedo, Sanford, and Winter Springs.
St. Johns County: court help from Seventh Circuit Self-Help Program (St. Johns County), phone (904) 827-5631. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Marineland, St. Augustine, and St. Augustine Beach.
St. Lucie County: court help from Nineteenth Circuit Court Administration, phone (772) 807-4370. Free legal aid from Florida Rural Legal Services, phone (888) 582-3410. Covers Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and St. Lucie Village.
Sumter County: court help from Fifth Circuit Family Court Case Management Program (Sumter County), phone (352) 569-6949. Free legal aid from Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, phone (800) 405-1417. Covers Bushnell, Center Hill, Coleman, Webster, and Wildwood.
Suwannee County: court help from Third Circuit Family Court Support Unit, phone (386) 758-2163. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Branford and Live Oak.
Taylor County: court help from Third Circuit Family Court Support Unit, phone (386) 758-2163. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Perry.
Union County: court help from Eighth Circuit Family Court Case Management Program, phone (352) 548-3781. Free legal aid from Three Rivers Legal Services, phone (866) 256-8091. Covers Lake Butler, Raiford, and Worthington Springs.
Volusia County: court help from Seventh Circuit Family Court Self-Help Program (Volusia County), phone (386) 626-6615. Free legal aid from Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, phone (800) 405-1417. Covers Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, DeBary, DeLand, Deltona, Edgewater, Flagler Beach, Holly Hill, Lake Helen, New Smyrna Beach, Oak Hill, and Orange City.
Wakulla County: court help from Second Circuit Self-Help Program (Wakulla County), phone (850) 926-0300. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers Sopchoppy and St. Marks.
Walton County: court help from First Circuit Self-Help Voicemail (Okaloosa and Walton Counties), phone (850) 864-8561. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers DeFuniak Springs, Freeport, and Paxton.
Washington County: court help from Fourteenth Circuit Family Law Self-Help (Holmes, Jackson, Washington, Calhoun, Gulf Counties), phone (850) 718-0480. Free legal aid from Legal Services of North Florida, phone (850) 385-9007. Covers Caryville, Chipley, Ebro, Vernon, and Wausau.
Where can I get free help with a family court case in Florida without a lawyer? Start with Florida Courts Help, run by Florida State Courts System. 66 of 67 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Three Rivers Legal Services, Legal Services of North Florida, Florida Rural Legal Services, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Bay Area Legal Services, Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, and Legal Services of Greater Miami if you qualify by income.
Does every Florida county have its own self-help center? No. 66 of 67 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Florida Courts Help, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Florida.
Who gives free legal aid in Florida? Florida is served by 7 federally funded legal aid offices: Three Rivers Legal Services, Legal Services of North Florida, Florida Rural Legal Services, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Bay Area Legal Services, Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, and Legal Services of Greater Miami. 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 Florida without a lawyer?
Start with Florida Courts Help, run by Florida State Courts System. 66 of 67 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Three Rivers Legal Services, Legal Services of North Florida, Florida Rural Legal Services, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Bay Area Legal Services, Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, and Legal Services of Greater Miami if you qualify by income.
Does every Florida county have its own self-help center?
No. 66 of 67 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Florida Courts Help, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Florida.
Who gives free legal aid in Florida?
Florida is served by 7 federally funded legal aid offices: Three Rivers Legal Services, Legal Services of North Florida, Florida Rural Legal Services, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida, Bay Area Legal Services, Coast to Coast Legal Aid of South Florida, and Legal Services of Greater Miami. 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.