WHAT IS THE SELF HELP CENTER?

The self help center is a clearing house of information to assist citizens make decisions and locate resources in court related matters. The center is not intended to act as a substitute for legal advice nor can we offer you legal advice. However, the center is intended to assist those who utilize its services in finding those resources available in the legal and related disciplines which may fit the particular needs of the user

WHAT SERVICES ARE OFFERED?

The self -help center offers the following information and services:

A.  General Information Brochures for citizens related to a variety of legal matters including divorce information and forms, small claims forms, county court civil forms and domestic violence and restraining order forms. Additionally, information regarding court procedure will be made available to citizens who use the facility.

B. Information regarding mental health professionals, mediators, lawyers and other professionals who may be of assistance to citizens in marital counseling, mediation of dissolution of marriage actions, counseling for children as well as a brief explanation of potential options regarding the use of these professionals for those who seek such information.

C. A variety of publications intended to assist parties with non-legal related problems which are ancillary to the legal process.

Whether you need a lawyer or who you should use as a lawyer really is a very personal choice. Anybody who is involved in a legal action should seriously consider consulting with a lawyer to get some help. The staff of the self help center cannot help you in making this decision by giving you advice. However, the court staff will help to provide you with information and resources which may assist in making such a decision.

Due to recent changes in Colorado law, lawyers may offer limited advice and may assist you at a great financial savings. To help you decide whether this is something you would be interested in pursuing the self help center has a brochure entitled UNBUNDLED LEGAL SERVICES: A BRIEF OVERVIEW. This periodical may help you in deciding whether there is an option for legal services which you can tailor to your specific needs.

WHAT IF I WANT TO SEEK MARRIAGE COUNSELING OR COUNSELING FOR MY CHILDREN?

Again, this is an area which requires very personal choices. Each person or family should make decisions related to counseling choices after making themselves informed as to the options available.

The staff of the legal center will provide you with referral sources intended to help you make these decisions. In order to help you make these choices, you may want to review the brochure entitled NON-ADVERSARIAL OPTIONS IN DEALING WITH FAMILY AND FAMILY LAW ISSUES. This brochure will assist you in exploring choices such as family counseling, marital counseling, mediation and other non-adversarial tools to resolve family disputes, avoid divorce or in resolving your divorce in an amicable manner.

WHAT IF I WANT TO REPRESENT MYSELF?

If, after reviewing all the information available in the center, you decide that you still want to represent yourself, certain legal forms are available in the center. You will have to complete the forms, but we will check them for completeness. We cannot help you in any matter which requires legal judgment. Again, only a lawyer can give you legal advice. However, we can assist you by directing you to our interactive form service and providing you with instructions on how to go forward procedurally in certain areas.

Generally, this assistance is available in the following areas:

Dissolution of Marriage,

Allocation of Parental Responsibilities,

Guardianships

Name Changes

County Court Civil

Small Claims Cases

Protection Order Cases

Please read the brochures and directions carefully when completing your forms. Most of your questions will be answered if you follow the directions.  Additionally, our interactive on-line service center can be accessed twenty-four hours a day to help you if you need more assistance. There may also be videos or other multi-media options available at any time which are helpful to you. Please feel free to ask the director of our center if such tools and aids are available when you visit our center.

The judges and staff of the Seventeenth Judicial District hope that the self help center is of assistance in providing access to information and services to our citizens.

Return to Self-Help Center Site