New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire on your own, start with the free help that already exists. This page lists, for each of the 10 counties, the court's self-help program and the free legal aid office that serves it, with phone numbers and websites.

Statewide: New Hampshire Judicial Branch Self-Help, phone (855) 212-1234. Free court information, forms and FAQs for people representing themselves, plus a phone line staffed by court clerks.

Belknap County: court help from New Hampshire Judicial Branch Self-Help, phone (855) 212-1234. Free legal aid from 603 Legal Aid, phone (603) 224-3333. Covers Laconia.

Carroll County: court help from New Hampshire Judicial Branch Self-Help, phone (855) 212-1234. Free legal aid from 603 Legal Aid, phone (603) 224-3333. Covers Bartlett, Center Ossipee, Center Sandwich, Conway, Melvin Village, and North Conway.

Cheshire County: court help from New Hampshire Judicial Branch Self-Help, phone (855) 212-1234. Free legal aid from 603 Legal Aid, phone (603) 224-3333. Covers Keene.

Coos County: court help from New Hampshire Judicial Branch Self-Help, phone (855) 212-1234. Free legal aid from 603 Legal Aid, phone (603) 224-3333. Covers Berlin.

Grafton County: court help from New Hampshire Judicial Branch Self-Help, phone (855) 212-1234. Free legal aid from 603 Legal Aid, phone (603) 224-3333. Covers Lebanon.

Hillsborough County: court help from New Hampshire Judicial Branch Self-Help, phone (855) 212-1234. Free legal aid from 603 Legal Aid, phone (603) 224-3333. Covers Manchester and Nashua.

Merrimack County: court help from New Hampshire Judicial Branch Self-Help, phone (855) 212-1234. Free legal aid from 603 Legal Aid, phone (603) 224-3333. Covers Concord and Franklin.

Rockingham County: court help from New Hampshire Judicial Branch Self-Help, phone (855) 212-1234. Free legal aid from 603 Legal Aid, phone (603) 224-3333. Covers Portsmouth.

Strafford County: court help from New Hampshire Judicial Branch Self-Help, phone (855) 212-1234. Free legal aid from 603 Legal Aid, phone (603) 224-3333. Covers Dover, Rochester, and Somersworth.

Sullivan County: court help from New Hampshire Judicial Branch Self-Help, phone (855) 212-1234. Free legal aid from 603 Legal Aid, phone (603) 224-3333. Covers Claremont.

Where can I get free help with a family court case in New Hampshire without a lawyer? Start with New Hampshire Judicial Branch Self-Help, run by New Hampshire Judicial Branch, phone (855) 212-1234. It serves every county in New Hampshire. For free legal advice, contact 603 Legal Aid if you qualify by income.

Who gives free legal aid in New Hampshire? New Hampshire is served by one federally funded legal aid office: 603 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 New Hampshire without a lawyer?

Start with New Hampshire Judicial Branch Self-Help, run by New Hampshire Judicial Branch, phone (855) 212-1234. It serves every county in New Hampshire. For free legal advice, contact 603 Legal Aid if you qualify by income.

Who gives free legal aid in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire is served by one federally funded legal aid office: 603 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.