Montana 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 Montana on your own, start with the free help that already exists. This page lists, for each of the 56 counties, the court's self-help program and the free legal aid office that serves it, with phone numbers and websites.
Statewide: Court Help Program. Montana Supreme Court program that helps people without a lawyer with divorce, parenting plans and other civil cases.
Beaverhead County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Dillon and Lima.
Big Horn County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Hardin and Lodge Grass.
Blaine County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Chinook and Harlem.
Broadwater County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Townsend.
Carbon County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Bearcreek, Bridger, Fromberg, Joliet, and Red Lodge.
Carter County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Ekalaka.
Cascade County: court help from Cascade County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 899-7109, email cascadecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Belt, Cascade, Great Falls, and Neihart.
Chouteau County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Big Sandy, Fort Benton, and Geraldine.
Custer County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Ismay and Miles City.
Daniels County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Flaxville and Scobey.
Dawson County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Glendive and Richey.
Deer Lodge County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Anaconda-Deer Lodge County.
Fallon County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Baker and Plevna.
Fergus County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Denton, Grass Range, Lewistown, Moore, and Winifred.
Flathead County: court help from Flathead County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 758-3397, email flatheadcountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Columbia Falls, Kalispell, and Whitefish.
Gallatin County: court help from Gallatin County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 582-2158, email gallatincountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Belgrade, Bozeman, Manhattan, Three Forks, and West Yellowstone.
Garfield County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Jordan.
Glacier County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Browning and Cut Bank.
Golden Valley County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Lavina and Ryegate.
Granite County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Drummond and Philipsburg.
Hill County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Havre and Hingham.
Jefferson County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Boulder and Whitehall.
Judith Basin County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Hobson and Stanford.
Lake County: court help from Flathead County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 758-3397, email flatheadcountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Polson, Ronan, and St. Ignatius.
Lewis and Clark County: court help from State Law Library Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 444-9300, email statelawlibraryselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers East Helena and Helena.
Liberty County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Chester.
Lincoln County: court help from Flathead County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 758-3397, email flatheadcountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Eureka, Libby, Rexford, and Troy.
McCone County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Circle.
Madison County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Ennis, Sheridan, Twin Bridges, and Virginia City.
Meagher County: court help from Gallatin County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 582-2158, email gallatincountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers White Sulphur Springs.
Mineral County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Alberton and Superior.
Missoula County: court help from Missoula County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 258-3428, email missoulacountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Missoula.
Musselshell County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Melstone and Roundup.
Park County: court help from Gallatin County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 582-2158, email gallatincountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Clyde Park and Livingston.
Petroleum County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Winnett.
Phillips County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Dodson, Malta, and Saco.
Pondera County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Conrad and Valier.
Powder River County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Broadus.
Powell County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Deer Lodge.
Prairie County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Terry.
Ravalli County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Darby, Hamilton, Pinesdale, and Stevensville.
Richland County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Fairview and Sidney.
Roosevelt County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Bainville, Culbertson, Froid, Poplar, and Wolf Point.
Rosebud County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Colstrip and Forsyth.
Sanders County: court help from Flathead County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 758-3397, email flatheadcountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Hot Springs, Plains, and Thompson Falls.
Sheridan County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Medicine Lake, Outlook, Plentywood, and Westby.
Silver Bow County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Walkerville.
Stillwater County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Columbus.
Sweet Grass County: court help from Gallatin County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 582-2158, email gallatincountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Big Timber.
Teton County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Choteau, Dutton, and Fairfield.
Toole County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Kevin, Shelby, and Sunburst.
Treasure County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Hysham.
Valley County: court help from Court Help Program. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Fort Peck, Glasgow, Nashua, and Opheim.
Wheatland County: court help from Gallatin County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 582-2158, email gallatincountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Harlowton and Judith Gap.
Wibaux County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Wibaux.
Yellowstone County: court help from Yellowstone County Self-Help Law Center, phone (406) 869-3531, email yellowstonecountyselfhelp@mt.gov. Free legal aid from Montana Legal Services Association, phone (800) 666-6899. Covers Billings, Broadview, and Laurel.
Where can I get free help with a family court case in Montana without a lawyer? Start with Court Help Program, run by Montana Supreme Court. 29 of 56 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Montana Legal Services Association if you qualify by income.
Does every Montana county have its own self-help center? No. 29 of 56 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Court Help Program, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Montana.
Who gives free legal aid in Montana? Montana is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Montana Legal Services Association. 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 Montana without a lawyer?
Start with Court Help Program, run by Montana Supreme Court. 29 of 56 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Montana Legal Services Association if you qualify by income.
Does every Montana county have its own self-help center?
No. 29 of 56 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Court Help Program, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Montana.
Who gives free legal aid in Montana?
Montana is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Montana Legal Services Association. 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.