About the Clinic
Every month at the District of Columbia Superior Court, volunteer attorneys and paralegals present a two-session workshop to help individuals file for child custody without an attorney.
The clinic provides information on how the law in the District of Columbia addresses child custody, visitation, and child support arrangements. This clinic does not provide any legal advice.
Clinic Topics
In order to cover all of the information and best prepare you to handle
your custody case on your own, the clinic has been divided into two
sessions. During Session I, you will get an introduction to the laws
related to child custody in the District of Columbia. During Session
II, instructors will assist you in filling out required forms and
answering individual questions.
Clinic instructors will discuss the following topics during Session I:
- Jurisdiction—who can file for custody in the District of Columbia
- Filing requirements—what you must do to get started
- Court forms—completing necessary court forms to properly request custody or respond to someone else’s request for custody
- Resolving issues—the laws on custody, visitation, and child support
- Fastest way to proceed if both parties agree
- Service of process—ensuring the other parent is notified of the custody case
- Absent defendants—what to do if you cannot find the child’s other parent
- Default proceedings—what to do if the other parent does not respond to your request for custody
- The hearing—what to expect when you appear before the judge
Clinic Times
Clinics are held during nonbusiness hours, usually on Saturday mornings
from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., or on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. Upcoming
clinics include:
