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

Pro se means representing yourself. In Tennessee, free help for pro se parents comes from two places: the court's own self-help programs and nonprofit legal aid. Find your county below to see exactly who to call, or type your city in the search box.

Statewide: Self-Help Center. Statewide hub of court forms, a toll-free legal information line, and guides for people handling their own case.

Anderson County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Clinton, Norris, Oak Ridge, Oliver Springs, and Rocky Top.

Bedford County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Bell Buckle, Normandy, Shelbyville, and Wartrace.

Benton County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Big Sandy and Camden.

Bledsoe County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Pikeville.

Blount County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Alcoa, Friendsville, Louisville, Maryville, Rockford, Townsend, and Vonore.

Bradley County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Charleston and Cleveland.

Campbell County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Caryville, Jacksboro, Jellico, La Follette, and Rocky Top.

Cannon County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Auburntown and Woodbury.

Carroll County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Atwood, Bruceton, Clarksburg, Hollow Rock, Huntingdon, McKenzie, McLemoresville, and Trezevant.

Carter County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Elizabethton, Johnson City, and Watauga.

Cheatham County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Ashland City, Kingston Springs, Pegram, and Pleasant View.

Chester County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Enville, Henderson, Milledgeville, and Silerton.

Claiborne County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Cumberland Gap, Harrogate, New Tazewell, and Tazewell.

Clay County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Celina.

Cocke County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Newport and Parrottsville.

Coffee County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Manchester and Tullahoma.

Crockett County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Alamo, Bells, Friendship, Gadsden, and Maury City.

Cumberland County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Crab Orchard, Crossville, and Pleasant Hill.

Davidson County: court help from Circuit Court Clerk Resource Center, phone (615) 862-5207. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Belle Meade, Berry Hill, Forest Hills, Goodlettsville, Oak Hill, and Ridgetop.

Decatur County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Decaturville, Parsons, and Scotts Hill.

DeKalb County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Alexandria, Dowelltown, Liberty, and Smithville.

Dickson County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Burns, Charlotte, Dickson, Slayden, Vanleer, and White Bluff.

Dyer County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Dyersburg, Newbern, and Trimble.

Fayette County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Braden, Gallaway, Grand Junction, La Grange, Moscow, Oakland, Piperton, Rossville, Somerville, and Williston.

Fentress County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Allardt and Jamestown.

Franklin County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Cowan, Decherd, Estill Springs, Huntland, Monteagle, Tullahoma, and Winchester.

Gibson County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Bradford, Dyer, Gibson, Humboldt, Kenton, Medina, Milan, Rutherford, Trenton, and Yorkville.

Giles County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Ardmore, Elkton, Lynnville, Minor Hill, and Pulaski.

Grainger County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Bean Station, Blaine, and Rutledge.

Greene County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Baileyton, Greeneville, Mosheim, and Tusculum.

Grundy County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Altamont, Beersheba Springs, Coalmont, Gruetli-Laager, Monteagle, Palmer, and Tracy City.

Hamblen County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Morristown and White Pine.

Hamilton County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Chattanooga, Collegedale, East Ridge, Lakesite, Lookout Mountain, Red Bank, Ridgeside, Signal Mountain, Soddy-Daisy, and Walden.

Hancock County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Sneedville.

Hardeman County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Bolivar, Grand Junction, Hickory Valley, Hornsby, Middleton, Saulsbury, Silerton, Toone, and Whiteville.

Hardin County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Adamsville, Crump, Milledgeville, Saltillo, and Savannah.

Hawkins County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Bean Station, Bulls Gap, Church Hill, Kingsport, Mount Carmel, Rogersville, and Surgoinsville.

Haywood County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Brownsville and Stanton.

Henderson County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Lexington, Parker's Crossroads, Sardis, and Scotts Hill.

Henry County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Cottage Grove, Henry, McKenzie, Paris, and Puryear.

Hickman County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Centerville.

Houston County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Erin and Tennessee Ridge.

Humphreys County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers McEwen, New Johnsonville, and Waverly.

Jackson County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Gainesboro.

Jefferson County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Baneberry, Dandridge, Jefferson City, Morristown, New Market, and White Pine.

Johnson County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Mountain City.

Knox County: court help from Resources for Unrepresented Parties, phone (865) 215-2555. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Farragut and Knoxville.

Lake County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Ridgely and Tiptonville.

Lauderdale County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Gates, Halls, Henning, and Ripley.

Lawrence County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Ethridge, Lawrenceburg, Loretto, and St. Joseph.

Lewis County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Hohenwald.

Lincoln County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Ardmore, Fayetteville, and Petersburg.

Loudon County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Farragut, Greenback, Lenoir City, Loudon, and Philadelphia.

McMinn County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Athens, Calhoun, Englewood, Etowah, Niota, and Sweetwater.

McNairy County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Adamsville, Bethel Springs, Eastview, Enville, Finger, Guys, Michie, Milledgeville, Ramer, Selmer, and Stantonville.

Macon County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Lafayette and Red Boiling Springs.

Madison County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Humboldt, Jackson, Medon, and Three Way.

Marion County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Jasper, Kimball, Monteagle, New Hope, Orme, Powells Crossroads, South Pittsburg, and Whitwell.

Marshall County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Chapel Hill, Cornersville, Lewisburg, and Petersburg.

Maury County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Columbia, Mount Pleasant, and Spring Hill.

Meigs County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Decatur.

Monroe County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Madisonville, Sweetwater, Tellico Plains, and Vonore.

Montgomery County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Clarksville.

Moore County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Lynchburg, Moore County.

Morgan County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Harriman, Oakdale, Oliver Springs, Sunbright, and Wartburg.

Obion County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Hornbeak, Kenton, Obion, Rives, Samburg, South Fulton, Trimble, Troy, Union City, and Woodland Mills.

Overton County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Livingston.

Perry County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Linden and Lobelville.

Pickett County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Byrdstown.

Polk County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Benton, Copperhill, and Ducktown.

Putnam County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Algood, Baxter, Cookeville, and Monterey.

Rhea County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Dayton, Graysville, and Spring City.

Roane County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Harriman, Kingston, Oak Ridge, Oliver Springs, and Rockwood.

Robertson County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Adams, Cedar Hill, Coopertown, Cross Plains, Greenbrier, Millersville, Orlinda, Portland, Ridgetop, Springfield, and White House.

Rutherford County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Eagleville, La Vergne, Murfreesboro, and Smyrna.

Scott County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Huntsville, Oneida, and Winfield.

Sequatchie County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Dunlap.

Sevier County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Pittman Center, and Sevierville.

Shelby County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Arlington, Bartlett, Collierville, Germantown, Lakeland, Memphis, and Millington.

Smith County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Carthage, Gordonsville, and South Carthage.

Stewart County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Cumberland City and Dover.

Sullivan County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Bluff City, Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport.

Sumner County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Gallatin, Goodlettsville, Hendersonville, Millersville, Mitchellville, Portland, Westmoreland, and White House.

Tipton County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Atoka, Brighton, Burlison, Covington, Garland, Gilt Edge, Mason, and Munford.

Trousdale County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Hartsville/Trousdale County.

Unicoi County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Erwin and Unicoi.

Union County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Luttrell, Maynardville, and Plainview.

Van Buren County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Spencer.

Warren County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Centertown, McMinnville, Morrison, and Viola.

Washington County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, phone (865) 637-0484. Covers Johnson City, Jonesborough, and Watauga.

Wayne County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Clifton, Collinwood, and Waynesboro.

Weakley County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from West Tennessee Legal Services, phone (731) 423-0616. Covers Dresden, Gleason, Greenfield, Martin, McKenzie, and Sharon.

White County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Doyle and Sparta.

Williamson County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Brentwood, Eagleville, Fairview, Franklin, Nolensville, Smyrna, Spring Hill, and Thompson's Station.

Wilson County: court help from Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, phone (800) 238-1443. Covers Lebanon, Mount Juliet, and Watertown.

Where can I get free help with a family court case in Tennessee without a lawyer? Start with Self-Help Center, run by Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts. 2 of 95 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, West Tennessee Legal Services, and West Tennessee Legal Services if you qualify by income.

Does every Tennessee county have its own self-help center? No. 2 of 95 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Self-Help Center, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Tennessee.

Who gives free legal aid in Tennessee? Tennessee is served by 4 federally funded legal aid offices: Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, West Tennessee Legal Services, and West Tennessee 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 Tennessee without a lawyer?

Start with Self-Help Center, run by Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts. 2 of 95 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, West Tennessee Legal Services, and West Tennessee Legal Services if you qualify by income.

Does every Tennessee county have its own self-help center?

No. 2 of 95 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Self-Help Center, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Tennessee.

Who gives free legal aid in Tennessee?

Tennessee is served by 4 federally funded legal aid offices: Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, West Tennessee Legal Services, and West Tennessee 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.