South Dakota Pro Se Help: Free Court Self-Help Centers and Legal Aid by County
Going to family court in South Dakota 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 South Dakota gets no more than two places to call, both checked in September 2026.
Statewide: South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free state court forms, instructions, and a form-help phone line for South Dakotans filing their own case.
Aurora County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Plankinton, Stickney, and White Lake.
Beadle County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Broadland, Cavour, Hitchcock, Huron, Iroquois, Virgil, Wessington, Wolsey, and Yale.
Bennett County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Martin.
Bon Homme County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Avon, Scotland, Springfield, Tabor, and Tyndall.
Brookings County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Arlington, Aurora, Brookings, Bruce, Bushnell, Elkton, Sinai, Volga, and White.
Brown County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Aberdeen, Claremont, Columbia, Frederick, Groton, Hecla, Stratford, Verdon, Warner, and Westport.
Brule County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Chamberlain, Kimball, and Pukwana.
Buffalo County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Fort Thompson and Gann Valley.
Butte County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Belle Fourche, Fruitdale, Newell, and Nisland.
Campbell County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Artas, Herreid, Mound City, and Pollock.
Charles Mix County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Dante, Geddes, Lake Andes, Pickstown, Platte, Ravinia, and Wagner.
Clark County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Bradley, Clark, Garden City, Naples, Raymond, Vienna, and Willow Lake.
Clay County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Irene, Vermillion, and Wakonda.
Codington County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Florence, Henry, Kranzburg, South Shore, Wallace, and Watertown.
Corson County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers McIntosh, McLaughlin, and Morristown.
Custer County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Buffalo Gap, Custer, Fairburn, Hermosa, and Pringle.
Davison County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Ethan, Mitchell, and Mount Vernon.
Day County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Andover, Bristol, Butler, Grenville, Pierpont, Roslyn, Waubay, and Webster.
Deuel County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Altamont, Astoria, Brandt, Clear Lake, Gary, Goodwin, and Toronto.
Dewey County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Eagle Butte, Isabel, and Timber Lake.
Douglas County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Armour, Corsica, and Delmont.
Edmunds County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Bowdle, Hosmer, Ipswich, and Roscoe.
Fall River County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Edgemont, Hot Springs, and Oelrichs.
Faulk County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Chelsea, Cresbard, Faulkton, Onaka, Orient, Rockham, and Seneca.
Grant County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Albee, Big Stone City, La Bolt, Marvin, Milbank, Revillo, Stockholm, Strandburg, and Twin Brooks.
Gregory County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Bonesteel, Burke, Dallas, Fairfax, Gregory, and Herrick.
Haakon County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Midland and Philip.
Hamlin County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Bryant, Castlewood, Estelline, Hayti, Hazel, and Lake Norden.
Hand County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Miller, Ree Heights, St. Lawrence, and Wessington.
Hanson County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Alexandria, Emery, Farmer, and Fulton.
Harding County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Buffalo and Camp Crook.
Hughes County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Blunt, Harrold, and Pierre.
Hutchinson County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Dimock, Freeman, Menno, Olivet, Parkston, and Tripp.
Hyde County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Highmore.
Jackson County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Belvidere, Cottonwood, Interior, and Kadoka.
Jerauld County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Alpena, Lane, and Wessington Springs.
Jones County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Draper and Murdo.
Kingsbury County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Arlington, Badger, Bancroft, De Smet, Erwin, Hetland, Iroquois, Lake Preston, and Oldham.
Lake County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Brant Lake, Madison, Nunda, Ramona, and Wentworth.
Lawrence County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Central City, Deadwood, Lead, Spearfish, and Whitewood.
Lincoln County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Beresford, Canton, Fairview, Harrisburg, Hudson, Lennox, Sioux Falls, Tea, and Worthing.
Lyman County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Kennebec, Oacoma, Presho, and Reliance.
McCook County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Bridgewater, Canistota, Montrose, Salem, and Spencer.
McPherson County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Eureka, Hillsview, Leola, Long Lake, and Wetonka.
Marshall County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Britton, Eden, Lake City, Langford, and Veblen.
Meade County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Box Elder, Buffalo Chip, Faith, Piedmont, Sturgis, and Summerset.
Mellette County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers White River and Wood.
Miner County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Canova, Carthage, Howard, and Vilas.
Minnehaha County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Baltic, Brandon, Colton, Crooks, Dell Rapids, Garretson, Hartford, Humboldt, Sherman, Sioux Falls, and Valley Springs.
Moody County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Colman, Egan, Flandreau, Trent, and Ward.
Oglala Lakota County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Batesland.
Pennington County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Box Elder, Hill City, Keystone, New Underwood, Quinn, Rapid City, Wall, and Wasta.
Perkins County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Bison and Lemmon.
Potter County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Gettysburg, Hoven, Lebanon, and Tolstoy.
Roberts County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Claire City, Corona, New Effington, Ortley, Peever, Rosholt, Sisseton, Summit, White Rock, and Wilmot.
Sanborn County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Artesian, Letcher, and Woonsocket.
Spink County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Ashton, Brentford, Conde, Doland, Frankfort, Mellette, Northville, Redfield, Tulare, and Turton.
Stanley County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Fort Pierre.
Sully County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Agar and Onida.
Todd County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Mission and St. Francis.
Tripp County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Colome, New Witten, and Winner.
Turner County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Centerville, Chancellor, Davis, Dolton, Hurley, Irene, Marion, Monroe, Parker, and Viborg.
Union County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Alcester, Beresford, Elk Point, Jefferson, and North Sioux City.
Walworth County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Akaska, Glenham, Java, Lowry, Mobridge, and Selby.
Yankton County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from East River Legal Services, phone (800) 952-3015, email info@erlservices.org. Covers Gayville, Irene, Lesterville, Mission Hill, Utica, Volin, and Yankton.
Ziebach County: court help from South Dakota UJS Self-Help, phone (855) 784-0004. Free legal aid from Dakota Plains Legal Services, phone (605) 856-4444. Covers Dupree and Eagle Butte.
Where can I get free help with a family court case in South Dakota without a lawyer? Start with South Dakota UJS Self-Help, run by South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS), phone (855) 784-0004. It serves every county in South Dakota. For free legal advice, contact East River Legal Services and Dakota Plains Legal Services if you qualify by income.
Who gives free legal aid in South Dakota? South Dakota is served by 2 federally funded legal aid offices: East River Legal Services and Dakota Plains 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 South Dakota without a lawyer?
Start with South Dakota UJS Self-Help, run by South Dakota Unified Judicial System (UJS), phone (855) 784-0004. It serves every county in South Dakota. For free legal advice, contact East River Legal Services and Dakota Plains Legal Services if you qualify by income.
Who gives free legal aid in South Dakota?
South Dakota is served by 2 federally funded legal aid offices: East River Legal Services and Dakota Plains 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.