Mississippi 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 Mississippi on your own, start with the free help that already exists. This page lists, for each of the 82 counties, the court's self-help program and the free legal aid office that serves it, with phone numbers and websites.

Statewide: Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Court tips, forms, and rules of evidence for people who decide to represent themselves in Mississippi courts.

Adams County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Natchez.

Alcorn County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Corinth, Farmington, Glen, Kossuth, and Rienzi.

Amite County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Centreville, Crosby, Gloster, and Liberty.

Attala County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Ethel, Kosciusko, McCool, and Sallis.

Benton County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Ashland, Hickory Flat, and Snow Lake Shores.

Bolivar County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Alligator, Benoit, Beulah, Boyle, Cleveland, Duncan, Gunnison, Merigold, Mound Bayou, Pace, Renova, and Rosedale.

Calhoun County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Big Creek, Bruce, Calhoun City, Derma, Pittsboro, Slate Springs, and Vardaman.

Carroll County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Carrollton, North Carrollton, and Vaiden.

Chickasaw County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Houston, New Houlka, Okolona, and Woodland.

Choctaw County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Ackerman, French Camp, Mathiston, and Weir.

Claiborne County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Port Gibson.

Clarke County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Enterprise, Pachuta, Quitman, Shubuta, and Stonewall.

Clay County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers West Point.

Coahoma County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Clarksdale, Coahoma, Friars Point, Jonestown, Lula, and Lyon.

Copiah County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Beauregard, Crystal Springs, Georgetown, Hazlehurst, and Wesson.

Covington County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Collins, Mount Olive, and Seminary.

DeSoto County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Hernando, Horn Lake, Olive Branch, Southaven, and Walls.

Forrest County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Hattiesburg and Petal.

Franklin County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Bude, Meadville, and Roxie.

George County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Lucedale.

Greene County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Leakesville, McLain, and State Line.

Grenada County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Grenada.

Hancock County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Bay St. Louis, Diamondhead, and Waveland.

Harrison County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Biloxi, D'Iberville, Gulfport, Long Beach, and Pass Christian.

Hinds County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Bolton, Byram, Clinton, Edwards, Jackson, Learned, Raymond, Terry, and Utica.

Holmes County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Cruger, Durant, Goodman, Lexington, Pickens, Tchula, and West.

Humphreys County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Belzoni, Isola, Louise, and Silver City.

Issaquena County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Mayersville.

Itawamba County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Fulton, Mantachie, and Tremont.

Jackson County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Gautier, Moss Point, Ocean Springs, and Pascagoula.

Jasper County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Bay Springs, Heidelberg, Louin, and Montrose.

Jefferson County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Fayette.

Jefferson Davis County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Bassfield and Prentiss.

Jones County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Ellisville, Laurel, Sandersville, and Soso.

Kemper County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers De Kalb and Scooba.

Lafayette County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Abbeville, Oxford, and Taylor.

Lamar County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Hattiesburg, Lumberton, Purvis, and Sumrall.

Lauderdale County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Marion and Meridian.

Lawrence County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Monticello, New Hebron, and Silver Creek.

Leake County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Carthage, Lena, Sebastopol, and Walnut Grove.

Lee County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Baldwyn, Guntown, Nettleton, Plantersville, Saltillo, Shannon, Sherman, Tupelo, and Verona.

Leflore County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Greenwood, Itta Bena, Morgan City, Schlater, and Sidon.

Lincoln County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Brookhaven and Wesson.

Lowndes County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Artesia, Caledonia, Columbus, and Crawford.

Madison County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Canton, Flora, Jackson, Madison, and Ridgeland.

Marion County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Columbia.

Marshall County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Byhalia, Holly Springs, and Potts Camp.

Monroe County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Aberdeen, Amory, Gattman, Hatley, Nettleton, and Smithville.

Montgomery County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Duck Hill, Kilmichael, and Winona.

Neshoba County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Philadelphia and Union.

Newton County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Chunky, Decatur, Hickory, Lake, Newton, and Union.

Noxubee County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Brooksville, Macon, and Shuqualak.

Oktibbeha County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Maben, Starkville, and Sturgis.

Panola County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Batesville, Como, Courtland, Crenshaw, Crowder, Pope, and Sardis.

Pearl River County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Lumberton, Picayune, and Poplarville.

Perry County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Beaumont, New Augusta, and Richton.

Pike County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Magnolia, McComb, Osyka, and Summit.

Pontotoc County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Algoma, Ecru, Pontotoc, Sherman, Thaxton, and Toccopola.

Prentiss County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Baldwyn, Booneville, Jumpertown, and Marietta.

Quitman County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Crenshaw, Crowder, Falcon, Lambert, Marks, and Sledge.

Rankin County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Brandon, Florence, Flowood, Jackson, Pearl, Pelahatchie, Puckett, and Richland.

Scott County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Forest, Lake, Morton, and Sebastopol.

Sharkey County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Anguilla, Cary, and Rolling Fork.

Simpson County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Braxton, D'Lo, Magee, and Mendenhall.

Smith County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Mize, Polkville, Raleigh, Sylvarena, and Taylorsville.

Stone County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Wiggins.

Sunflower County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Doddsville, Drew, Indianola, Inverness, Moorhead, Ruleville, Shaw, and Sunflower.

Tallahatchie County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Charleston, Glendora, Sumner, Tutwiler, and Webb.

Tate County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Coldwater and Senatobia.

Tippah County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Blue Mountain, Dumas, Falkner, Ripley, and Walnut.

Tishomingo County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Belmont, Burnsville, Golden, Iuka, Paden, and Tishomingo.

Tunica County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Tunica.

Union County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Blue Springs, Myrtle, New Albany, and Sherman.

Walthall County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Tylertown.

Warren County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Vicksburg.

Washington County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Arcola, Greenville, Hollandale, Leland, and Metcalfe.

Wayne County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers State Line and Waynesboro.

Webster County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Eupora, Maben, Mantee, Mathiston, and Walthall.

Wilkinson County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Centreville, Crosby, and Woodville.

Winston County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Louisville and Noxapater.

Yalobusha County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, phone (800) 898-8731. Covers Coffeeville, Oakland, and Water Valley.

Yazoo County: court help from Preparing for Court, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. Free legal aid from Mississippi Center for Legal Services, phone (800) 498-1804. Covers Bentonia, Eden, Satartia, and Yazoo City.

Where can I get free help with a family court case in Mississippi without a lawyer? Start with Preparing for Court, run by Mississippi Access to Justice Commission, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. It serves every county in Mississippi. For free legal advice, contact Mississippi Center for Legal Services and North Mississippi Rural Legal Services if you qualify by income.

Who gives free legal aid in Mississippi? Mississippi is served by 2 federally funded legal aid offices: Mississippi Center for Legal Services and North Mississippi Rural Legal Services. 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 Mississippi without a lawyer?

Start with Preparing for Court, run by Mississippi Access to Justice Commission, phone (601) 974-0470, email nicole.mclaughlin@courts.ms.gov. It serves every county in Mississippi. For free legal advice, contact Mississippi Center for Legal Services and North Mississippi Rural Legal Services if you qualify by income.

Who gives free legal aid in Mississippi?

Mississippi is served by 2 federally funded legal aid offices: Mississippi Center for Legal Services and North Mississippi Rural Legal Services. 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.