Iowa Pro Se Help: Free Court Self-Help Centers and Legal Aid by County
Going to family court in Iowa without a lawyer is common, and you do not have to figure it out alone. The court runs free help for people representing themselves, and nonprofit legal aid offices give free legal help to parents who qualify. Below, every county in Iowa gets no more than two places to call, both checked in September 2026.
Statewide: Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free guidance, forms and court rules for Iowans handling their own civil case without a lawyer.
Adair County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Adair, Bridgewater, Casey, Fontanelle, Greenfield, Orient, and Stuart.
Adams County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Carbon, Corning, Lenox, Nodaway, and Prescott.
Allamakee County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Harpers Ferry, Lansing, New Albin, Postville, Waterville, and Waukon.
Appanoose County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Centerville, Cincinnati, Exline, Moravia, Moulton, Mystic, Numa, Plano, Rathbun, Udell, and Unionville.
Audubon County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Audubon, Brayton, Exira, Gray, and Kimballton.
Benton County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Atkins, Belle Plaine, Blairstown, Garrison, Keystone, Luzerne, Mount Auburn, Newhall, Norway, Shellsburg, Urbana, and Van Horne.
Black Hawk County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Cedar Falls, Dunkerton, Elk Run Heights, Evansdale, Gilbertville, Hudson, Janesville, Jesup, La Porte City, Raymond, and Waterloo.
Boone County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Beaver, Berkley, Boone, Boxholm, Fraser, Luther, Madrid, Ogden, Pilot Mound, Sheldahl, Slater, and Woodward.
Bremer County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Denver, Frederika, Janesville, Plainfield, Readlyn, Sumner, Tripoli, and Waverly.
Buchanan County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Aurora, Brandon, Fairbank, Hazleton, Independence, Jesup, Lamont, Quasqueton, Rowley, Stanley, and Winthrop.
Buena Vista County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Albert City, Alta, Lakeside, Linn Grove, Marathon, Newell, Rembrandt, Sioux Rapids, Storm Lake, and Truesdale.
Butler County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Allison, Aplington, Aredale, Bristow, Clarksville, Dumont, Greene, New Hartford, Parkersburg, and Shell Rock.
Calhoun County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Farnhamville, Jolley, Knierim, Lake City, Lohrville, Lytton, Manson, Pomeroy, Rinard, Rockwell City, Somers, and Yetter.
Carroll County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Arcadia, Breda, Carroll, Coon Rapids, Dedham, Glidden, Halbur, Lanesboro, Lidderdale, Manning, Ralston, and Templeton.
Cass County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Anita, Atlantic, Cumberland, Griswold, Lewis, Marne, Massena, and Wiota.
Cedar County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Bennett, Clarence, Durant, Lowden, Mechanicsville, Stanwood, Tipton, West Branch, and Wilton.
Cerro Gordo County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Clear Lake, Dougherty, Mason City, Meservey, Nora Springs, Plymouth, Rock Falls, Rockwell, Swaledale, Thornton, and Ventura.
Cherokee County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Aurelia, Cherokee, Cleghorn, Larrabee, Marcus, Meriden, Quimby, and Washta.
Chickasaw County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Alta Vista, Bassett, Fredericksburg, Ionia, Lawler, Nashua, New Hampton, North Washington, and Protivin.
Clarke County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Murray, Osceola, and Woodburn.
Clay County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Dickens, Everly, Fostoria, Gillett Grove, Greenville, Peterson, Rossie, Royal, Spencer, and Webb.
Clayton County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Clayton, Edgewood, Elkader, Elkport, Farmersburg, Garber, Garnavillo, Guttenberg, Luana, Marquette, McGregor, and Monona.
Clinton County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Andover, Calamus, Camanche, Charlotte, Clinton, DeWitt, Delmar, Goose Lake, Grand Mound, Lost Nation, Low Moor, and Maquoketa.
Crawford County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Arion, Aspinwall, Buck Grove, Charter Oak, Deloit, Denison, Dow City, Dunlap, Kiron, Manilla, Ricketts, and Schleswig.
Dallas County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Adel, Bouton, Clive, Dallas Center, Dawson, De Soto, Dexter, Granger, Grimes, Linden, Minburn, and Perry.
Davis County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Bloomfield, Drakesville, Floris, and Pulaski.
Decatur County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Davis City, Decatur City, Garden Grove, Grand River, Lamoni, Le Roy, Leon, Pleasanton, Van Wert, and Weldon.
Delaware County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Colesburg, Delaware, Delhi, Dundee, Dyersville, Earlville, Edgewood, Greeley, Hopkinton, Manchester, Masonville, and Ryan.
Des Moines County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Burlington, Danville, Mediapolis, Middletown, and West Burlington.
Dickinson County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Arnolds Park, Lake Park, Milford, Okoboji, Orleans, Spirit Lake, Superior, Terril, Wahpeton, and West Okoboji.
Dubuque County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Asbury, Balltown, Bankston, Bernard, Cascade, Centralia, Dubuque, Durango, Dyersville, Epworth, Farley, and Graf.
Emmet County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Armstrong, Dolliver, Estherville, Gruver, Ringsted, and Wallingford.
Fayette County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Arlington, Clermont, Elgin, Fairbank, Fayette, Hawkeye, Maynard, Oelwein, Randalia, St. Lucas, Stanley, and Sumner.
Floyd County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Charles City, Colwell, Floyd, Greene, Marble Rock, Nashua, Nora Springs, Rockford, and Rudd.
Franklin County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Ackley, Alexander, Coulter, Dows, Geneva, Hampton, Hansell, Latimer, Popejoy, and Sheffield.
Fremont County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Farragut, Hamburg, Imogene, Randolph, Riverton, Shenandoah, Sidney, Tabor, and Thurman.
Greene County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Churdan, Dana, Grand Junction, Jefferson, Paton, Ralston, Rippey, and Scranton.
Grundy County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Beaman, Conrad, Dike, Grundy Center, Holland, Morrison, Reinbeck, Stout, and Wellsburg.
Guthrie County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Adair, Bagley, Bayard, Casey, Coon Rapids, Guthrie Center, Jamaica, Menlo, Panora, Stuart, and Yale.
Hamilton County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Blairsburg, Ellsworth, Jewell Junction, Kamrar, Randall, Stanhope, Stratford, Webster City, and Williams.
Hancock County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Britt, Corwith, Crystal Lake, Forest City, Garner, Goodell, Kanawha, Klemme, and Woden.
Hardin County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Ackley, Alden, Buckeye, Eldora, Hubbard, Iowa Falls, New Providence, Owasa, Radcliffe, Steamboat Rock, Union, and Whitten.
Harrison County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Dunlap, Little Sioux, Logan, Magnolia, Missouri Valley, Modale, Mondamin, Persia, Pisgah, and Woodbine.
Henry County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Coppock, Hillsboro, Mount Pleasant, New London, Olds, Rome, Salem, Wayland, Westwood, and Winfield.
Howard County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Chester, Cresco, Elma, Lime Springs, Protivin, and Riceville.
Humboldt County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Bode, Bradgate, Dakota City, Gilmore City, Hardy, Humboldt, Livermore, Lu Verne, Ottosen, Pioneer, Renwick, and Rutland.
Ida County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Arthur, Battle Creek, Galva, Holstein, and Ida Grove.
Iowa County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Ladora, Marengo, Millersburg, North English, Parnell, Victor, and Williamsburg.
Jackson County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Andrew, Baldwin, Bellevue, La Motte, Maquoketa, Miles, Monmouth, Preston, Sabula, Spragueville, Springbrook, and St. Donatus.
Jasper County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Baxter, Colfax, Kellogg, Lambs Grove, Lynnville, Mingo, Mitchellville, Monroe, Newton, Oakland Acres, Prairie City, and Reasnor.
Jefferson County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Batavia, Coppock, Fairfield, Libertyville, Lockridge, Maharishi Vedic City, Packwood, and Pleasant Plain.
Johnson County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Coralville, Hills, Iowa City, Lone Tree, North Liberty, Oxford, Shueyville, Solon, Swisher, Tiffin, University Heights, and West Branch.
Jones County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Anamosa, Cascade, Martelle, Monticello, Morley, Olin, Onslow, Oxford Junction, and Wyoming.
Keokuk County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Delta, Gibson, Harper, Hayesville, Hedrick, Keota, Keswick, Kinross, Martinsburg, North English, Ollie, and Richland.
Kossuth County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Algona, Bancroft, Burt, Fenton, Lakota, Ledyard, Lone Rock, Lu Verne, Swea City, Titonka, Wesley, and West Bend.
Lee County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Donnellson, Fort Madison, Franklin, Houghton, Keokuk, Montrose, St. Paul, and West Point.
Linn County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Alburnett, Bertram, Cedar Rapids, Center Point, Central City, Coggon, Ely, Fairfax, Hiawatha, Lisbon, Marion, and Mount Vernon.
Louisa County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Columbus City, Columbus Junction, Cotter, Fredonia, Grandview, Letts, Morning Sun, Oakville, and Wapello.
Lucas County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Chariton, Derby, Lucas, Russell, and Williamson.
Lyon County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Alvord, Doon, George, Inwood, Larchwood, Lester, Little Rock, and Rock Rapids.
Madison County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Bevington, Earlham, East Peru, Macksburg, Patterson, St. Charles, Truro, West Des Moines, and Winterset.
Mahaska County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Barnes City, Beacon, Eddyville, Fremont, Keomah Village, Leighton, New Sharon, Oskaloosa, Pella, Rose Hill, and University Park.
Marion County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Bussey, Hamilton, Harvey, Knoxville, Marysville, Melcher-Dallas, Pella, Pleasantville, and Swan.
Marshall County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Albion, Clemons, Ferguson, Gilman, Haverhill, Laurel, Le Grand, Liscomb, Marshalltown, Melbourne, Rhodes, and St. Anthony.
Mills County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Emerson, Glenwood, Hastings, Henderson, Malvern, Pacific Junction, Silver City, and Tabor.
Mitchell County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Carpenter, McIntire, Mitchell, Orchard, Osage, Riceville, St. Ansgar, and Stacyville.
Monona County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Blencoe, Castana, Mapleton, Moorhead, Onawa, Rodney, Soldier, Turin, Ute, and Whiting.
Monroe County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Albia, Eddyville, Lovilia, Melrose, and Moravia.
Montgomery County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Coburg, Elliott, Grant, Red Oak, Stanton, and Villisca.
Muscatine County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Atalissa, Blue Grass, Conesville, Durant, Fruitland, Muscatine, Nichols, Stockton, Walcott, West Liberty, and Wilton.
O'Brien County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Archer, Calumet, Hartley, Paullina, Primghar, Sanborn, Sheldon, and Sutherland.
Osceola County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Ashton, Harris, Melvin, Ocheyedan, and Sibley.
Page County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Blanchard, Braddyville, Clarinda, Coin, College Springs, Essex, Hepburn, Northboro, Shambaugh, Shenandoah, and Yorktown.
Palo Alto County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Ayrshire, Curlew, Cylinder, Emmetsburg, Graettinger, Mallard, Rodman, Ruthven, and West Bend.
Plymouth County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Akron, Brunsville, Craig, Hinton, Kingsley, Le Mars, Merrill, Oyens, Remsen, Sioux City, Struble, and Westfield.
Pocahontas County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Fonda, Gilmore City, Havelock, Laurens, Palmer, Plover, Pocahontas, Rolfe, and Varina.
Polk County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Alleman, Altoona, Ankeny, Bondurant, Carlisle, Clive, Des Moines, Elkhart, Granger, Grimes, Johnston, and Mitchellville.
Pottawattamie County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Avoca, Carson, Carter Lake, Council Bluffs, Crescent, Hancock, Macedonia, McClelland, Minden, Neola, Oakland, and Shelby.
Poweshiek County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Barnes City, Brooklyn, Deep River, Grinnell, Guernsey, Hartwick, Malcom, Montezuma, Searsboro, and Victor.
Ringgold County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Beaconsfield, Benton, Clearfield, Diagonal, Ellston, Kellerton, Maloy, Mount Ayr, Redding, Shannon City, and Tingley.
Sac County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Auburn, Early, Lake View, Lytton, Nemaha, Odebolt, Sac City, Schaller, and Wall Lake.
Scott County: court help from Iowa Court Navigator - Scott County Courthouse. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Bettendorf, Blue Grass, Buffalo, Davenport, Dixon, Donahue, Durant, Eldridge, Le Claire, Long Grove, Maysville, and McCausland.
Shelby County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Defiance, Earling, Elk Horn, Harlan, Irwin, Kirkman, Panama, Portsmouth, Shelby, Tennant, and Westphalia.
Sioux County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Alton, Boyden, Chatsworth, Granville, Hawarden, Hospers, Hull, Ireton, Matlock, Maurice, Orange City, and Rock Valley.
Story County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Ames, Cambridge, Collins, Colo, Gilbert, Huxley, Kelley, Maxwell, McCallsburg, Nevada, Roland, and Sheldahl.
Tama County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Chelsea, Clutier, Dysart, Elberon, Garwin, Gladbrook, Le Grand, Lincoln, Montour, Tama, Toledo, and Traer.
Taylor County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Bedford, Blockton, Clearfield, Conway, Gravity, Lenox, New Market, and Sharpsburg.
Union County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Afton, Arispe, Creston, Cromwell, Lorimor, Shannon City, and Thayer.
Van Buren County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Birmingham, Bonaparte, Cantril, Farmington, Keosauqua, Milton, and Stockport.
Wapello County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Agency, Blakesburg, Chillicothe, Eddyville, Eldon, Kirkville, and Ottumwa.
Warren County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Ackworth, Bevington, Carlisle, Cumming, Des Moines, Hartford, Indianola, Lacona, Martensdale, Milo, New Virginia, and Norwalk.
Washington County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Ainsworth, Brighton, Coppock, Crawfordsville, Kalona, Keota, Riverside, Washington, Wellman, and West Chester.
Wayne County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Allerton, Clio, Corydon, Humeston, Lineville, Millerton, Promise City, and Seymour.
Webster County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Badger, Barnum, Callender, Clare, Dayton, Duncombe, Farnhamville, Fort Dodge, Gowrie, Harcourt, Lehigh, and Moorland.
Winnebago County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Buffalo Center, Forest City, Lake Mills, Leland, Rake, Scarville, and Thompson.
Winneshiek County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Calmar, Castalia, Decorah, Fort Atkinson, Jackson Junction, Ossian, Ridgeway, and Spillville.
Woodbury County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Anthon, Bronson, Correctionville, Cushing, Danbury, Hornick, Lawton, Moville, Oto, Pierson, Salix, and Sergeant Bluff.
Worth County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Fertile, Grafton, Hanlontown, Joice, Kensett, Manly, and Northwood.
Wright County: court help from Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself. Free legal aid from Iowa Legal Aid, phone (800) 532-1503. Covers Belmond, Clarion, Dows, Eagle Grove, Galt, Goldfield, Rowan, and Woolstock.
Where can I get free help with a family court case in Iowa without a lawyer? Start with Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself, run by Iowa Judicial Branch. 1 of 99 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Iowa Legal Aid if you qualify by income.
Does every Iowa county have its own self-help center? No. 1 of 99 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Iowa.
Who gives free legal aid in Iowa? Iowa is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Iowa Legal Aid. 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 Iowa without a lawyer?
Start with Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself, run by Iowa Judicial Branch. 1 of 99 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Iowa Legal Aid if you qualify by income.
Does every Iowa county have its own self-help center?
No. 1 of 99 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Iowa Judicial Branch - Representing Yourself, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Iowa.
Who gives free legal aid in Iowa?
Iowa is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Iowa Legal Aid. 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.