Maine Pro Se Help: Free Court Self-Help Centers and Legal Aid by County

Going to family court in Maine 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 Maine gets no more than two places to call, both checked in September 2026.

Statewide: Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free guides, forms help and legal aid referrals for people going to court without a lawyer.

Androscoggin County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Auburn and Lewiston.

Aroostook County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Caribou and Presque Isle.

Cumberland County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Portland, South Portland, and Westbrook.

Franklin County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Chisholm, Farmington, Kingfield, Rangeley, and Wilton.

Hancock County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Ellsworth.

Kennebec County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Augusta, Gardiner, Hallowell, and Waterville.

Knox County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Rockland.

Lincoln County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Boothbay Harbor, Damariscotta, Newcastle, Waldoboro, and Wiscasset.

Oxford County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Bethel, Dixfield, Fryeburg, Kezar Falls, Mexico, and Norway.

Penobscot County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Bangor, Brewer, and Old Town.

Piscataquis County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Brownville Junction, Dover-Foxcroft, Greenville, Guilford, and Milo.

Sagadahoc County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Bath.

Somerset County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Anson, Bingham, Fairfield, Hartland, Madison, and Norridgewock.

Waldo County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Belfast.

Washington County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Calais and Eastport.

York County: court help from Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, phone (207) 822-0792. Free legal aid from Pine Tree Legal Assistance, phone (207) 942-8322. Covers Biddeford, Saco, and Sanford.

Where can I get free help with a family court case in Maine without a lawyer? Start with Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, run by Maine Judicial Branch, Administrative Office of the Courts, phone (207) 822-0792. It serves every county in Maine. For free legal advice, contact Pine Tree Legal Assistance if you qualify by income.

Who gives free legal aid in Maine? Maine is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Pine Tree Legal Assistance. 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 Maine without a lawyer?

Start with Maine Judicial Branch Legal Help & Guides, run by Maine Judicial Branch, Administrative Office of the Courts, phone (207) 822-0792. It serves every county in Maine. For free legal advice, contact Pine Tree Legal Assistance if you qualify by income.

Who gives free legal aid in Maine?

Maine is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Pine Tree Legal Assistance. 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.