Wisconsin Pro Se Help: Free Court Self-Help Centers and Legal Aid by County
Pro se means representing yourself. In Wisconsin, 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: Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free online help finding court forms and instructions for people handling their own case without a lawyer.
Adams County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Adams, Friendship, and Wisconsin Dells.
Ashland County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Ashland, Butternut, and Mellen.
Barron County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Almena, Barron, Cameron, Chetek, Cumberland, Dallas, Haugen, New Auburn, Prairie Farm, Rice Lake, and Turtle Lake.
Bayfield County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Ashland, Bayfield, Mason, and Washburn.
Brown County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, De Pere, Denmark, Green Bay, Hobart, Howard, Pulaski, Suamico, and Wrightstown.
Buffalo County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Alma, Buffalo City, Cochrane, Fountain City, Mondovi, and Nelson.
Burnett County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Grantsburg, Siren, and Webster.
Calumet County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Appleton, Brillion, Chilton, Harrison, Hilbert, Kaukauna, Kiel, Menasha, New Holstein, Potter, Sherwood, and Stockbridge.
Chippewa County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Bloomer, Boyd, Cadott, Chippewa Falls, Cornell, Eau Claire, Lake Hallie, New Auburn, and Stanley.
Clark County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Abbotsford, Colby, Curtiss, Dorchester, Granton, Greenwood, Loyal, Neillsville, Owen, Stanley, Thorp, and Unity.
Columbia County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Arlington, Cambria, Columbus, Doylestown, Fall River, Friesland, Lodi, Pardeeville, Portage, Poynette, Randolph, and Rio.
Crawford County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Bell Center, De Soto, Eastman, Ferryville, Gays Mills, Lynxville, Mount Sterling, Prairie du Chien, Soldiers Grove, Steuben, and Wauzeka.
Dane County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Belleville, Black Earth, Blue Mounds, Brooklyn, Cambridge, Cottage Grove, Cross Plains, Dane, DeForest, Deerfield, Edgerton, and Fitchburg.
Dodge County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Beaver Dam, Brownsville, Clyman, Columbus, Fox Lake, Hartford, Horicon, Hustisford, Iron Ridge, Juneau, Kekoskee, and Lomira.
Door County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Egg Harbor, Ephraim, Forestville, Sister Bay, and Sturgeon Bay.
Douglas County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Lake Nebagamon, Oliver, Poplar, Solon Springs, and Superior.
Dunn County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Boyceville, Colfax, Downing, Elk Mound, Knapp, Menomonie, Ridgeland, and Wheeler.
Eau Claire County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Altoona, Augusta, Eau Claire, Fairchild, and Fall Creek.
Florence County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Florence and Long Lake.
Fond du Lac County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Brandon, Campbellsport, Eden, Fairwater, Fond du Lac, Kewaskum, Mount Calvary, North Fond du Lac, Oakfield, Ripon, Rosendale, and St. Cloud.
Forest County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Crandon.
Grant County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Bagley, Bloomington, Blue River, Boscobel, Cassville, Cuba City, Dickeyville, Fennimore, Hazel Green, Lancaster, Livingston, and Montfort.
Green County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Albany, Belleville, Brodhead, Brooklyn, Browntown, Monroe, Monticello, and New Glarus.
Green Lake County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Berlin, Green Lake, Kingston, Markesan, Marquette, and Princeton.
Iowa County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Arena, Avoca, Barneveld, Blanchardville, Cobb, Dodgeville, Highland, Hollandale, Linden, Livingston, Mineral Point, and Montfort.
Iron County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Hurley and Montreal.
Jackson County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Alma Center, Black River Falls, Hixton, Melrose, Merrillan, and Taylor.
Jefferson County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Cambridge, Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lac La Belle, Lake Mills, Palmyra, Sullivan, Waterloo, Watertown, and Whitewater.
Juneau County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Camp Douglas, Elroy, Hustler, Lyndon Station, Mauston, Necedah, New Lisbon, Union Center, Wisconsin Dells, and Wonewoc.
Kenosha County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Bristol, Genoa City, Kenosha, Paddock Lake, Pleasant Prairie, Salem Lakes, Somers, and Twin Lakes.
Kewaunee County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Algoma, Casco, Kewaunee, and Luxemburg.
La Crosse County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Bangor, Holmen, La Crosse, Onalaska, Rockland, and West Salem.
Lafayette County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Argyle, Belmont, Benton, Blanchardville, Cuba City, Darlington, Gratiot, Hazel Green, Shullsburg, and South Wayne.
Langlade County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Antigo and White Lake.
Lincoln County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Merrill and Tomahawk.
Manitowoc County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Cleveland, Francis Creek, Kellnersville, Kiel, Manitowoc, Maribel, Mishicot, Reedsville, St. Nazianz, Two Rivers, Valders, and Whitelaw.
Marathon County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Abbotsford, Athens, Birnamwood, Colby, Dorchester, Edgar, Elderon, Fenwood, Hatley, Kronenwetter, Maine, and Marathon City.
Marinette County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Coleman, Crivitz, Marinette, Niagara, Peshtigo, Pound, and Wausaukee.
Marquette County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Endeavor, Montello, Neshkoro, Oxford, and Westfield.
Menominee County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Keshena, Legend Lake, Middle Village, Neopit, and Zoar.
Milwaukee County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Bayside, Brown Deer, Cudahy, Fox Point, Franklin, Glendale, Greendale, Greenfield, Hales Corners, Milwaukee, Oak Creek, and River Hills.
Monroe County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Cashton, Kendall, Melvina, Norwalk, Oakdale, Ontario, Rockland, Sparta, Tomah, Warrens, Wilton, and Wyeville.
Oconto County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Gillett, Lena, Oconto, Oconto Falls, Pulaski, and Suring.
Oneida County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Rhinelander.
Outagamie County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Appleton, Bear Creek, Black Creek, Combined Locks, Hortonville, Howard, Kaukauna, Kimberly, Little Chute, New London, Nichols, and Seymour.
Ozaukee County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Bayside, Belgium, Cedarburg, Fredonia, Grafton, Mequon, Newburg, Port Washington, Saukville, and Thiensville.
Pepin County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Durand, Pepin, and Stockholm.
Pierce County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Bay City, Ellsworth, Elmwood, Maiden Rock, Plum City, Prescott, River Falls, and Spring Valley.
Polk County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Amery, Balsam Lake, Centuria, Clayton, Clear Lake, Dresser, Frederic, Luck, Milltown, Osceola, St. Croix Falls, and Turtle Lake.
Portage County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Almond, Amherst, Amherst Junction, Junction City, Milladore, Nelsonville, Park Ridge, Plover, Rosholt, Stevens Point, and Whiting.
Price County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Catawba, Kennan, Park Falls, Phillips, and Prentice.
Racine County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Burlington, Caledonia, Elmwood Park, Mount Pleasant, North Bay, Racine, Raymond, Rochester, Sturtevant, Union Grove, Waterford, and Wind Point.
Richland County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Boaz, Cazenovia, Lone Rock, Richland Center, Viola, and Yuba.
Rock County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Beloit, Brodhead, Clinton, Edgerton, Evansville, Footville, Janesville, Milton, and Orfordville.
Rusk County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Bruce, Conrath, Glen Flora, Hawkins, Ingram, Ladysmith, Sheldon, Tony, and Weyerhaeuser.
St. Croix County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Baldwin, Deer Park, Glenwood City, Hammond, Hudson, New Richmond, North Hudson, River Falls, Roberts, Somerset, Spring Valley, and Star Prairie.
Sauk County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Baraboo, Cazenovia, Ironton, La Valle, Lake Delton, Lime Ridge, Loganville, Merrimac, North Freedom, Plain, Prairie du Sac, and Reedsburg.
Sawyer County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Couderay, Exeland, Hayward, Radisson, and Winter.
Shawano County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Aniwa, Birnamwood, Bonduel, Bowler, Cecil, Eland, Gresham, Marion, Mattoon, Pulaski, Shawano, and Tigerton.
Sheboygan County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Adell, Cascade, Cedar Grove, Elkhart Lake, Glenbeulah, Howards Grove, Kohler, Oostburg, Plymouth, Random Lake, Sheboygan, and Sheboygan Falls.
Taylor County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Gilman, Lublin, Medford, Rib Lake, and Stetsonville.
Trempealeau County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Arcadia, Blair, Eleva, Ettrick, Galesville, Independence, Osseo, Pigeon Falls, Strum, Trempealeau, and Whitehall.
Vernon County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Chaseburg, Coon Valley, De Soto, Genoa, Hillsboro, La Farge, Ontario, Readstown, Stoddard, Viola, Viroqua, and Westby.
Vilas County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Eagle River.
Walworth County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Bloomfield, Burlington, Darien, Delavan, East Troy, Elkhorn, Fontana-on-Geneva Lake, Genoa City, Lake Geneva, Mukwonago, Sharon, and Walworth.
Washburn County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Birchwood, Minong, Shell Lake, and Spooner.
Washington County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Germantown, Hartford, Jackson, Kewaskum, Milwaukee, Newburg, Richfield, Slinger, and West Bend.
Waukesha County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Big Bend, Brookfield, Butler, Chenequa, Delafield, Dousman, Eagle, Elm Grove, Hartland, Lac La Belle, Lannon, and Menomonee Falls.
Waupaca County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Big Falls, Clintonville, Embarrass, Fremont, Iola, Manawa, Marion, New London, Ogdensburg, Scandinavia, Waupaca, and Weyauwega.
Waushara County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Berlin, Coloma, Hancock, Lohrville, Plainfield, Redgranite, Wautoma, and Wild Rose.
Winnebago County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Appleton, Fox Crossing, Menasha, Neenah, Omro, Oshkosh, and Winneconne.
Wood County: court help from Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center. Free legal aid from Legal Action of Wisconsin, phone (855) 947-2529. Covers Arpin, Auburndale, Biron, Hewitt, Marshfield, Milladore, Nekoosa, Pittsville, Port Edwards, Rudolph, Vesper, and Wisconsin Rapids.
Where can I get free help with a family court case in Wisconsin without a lawyer? Start with Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center, run by Wisconsin Court System. It serves every county in Wisconsin. For free legal advice, contact Legal Action of Wisconsin and Legal Action of Wisconsin if you qualify by income.
Who gives free legal aid in Wisconsin? Wisconsin is served by 2 federally funded legal aid offices: Legal Action of Wisconsin and Legal Action of Wisconsin. 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 Wisconsin without a lawyer?
Start with Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Law Center, run by Wisconsin Court System. It serves every county in Wisconsin. For free legal advice, contact Legal Action of Wisconsin and Legal Action of Wisconsin if you qualify by income.
Who gives free legal aid in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin is served by 2 federally funded legal aid offices: Legal Action of Wisconsin and Legal Action of Wisconsin. 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.