These legal documents were created in collaboration with D.C. Superior Court’s Family Court to help people without lawyers. They can be used in D.C. court cases related to divorce, child custody, paternity, child support, or standby guardianships.
These free materials are intended for people who do not have lawyers. If you have a lawyer, your lawyer will draft the legal documents you need, tailored to your own specific case.
The information in this website is presented by the D.C. Bar as a service to its members and the public. Although the Bar attempts to keep this information current and accurate, it makes no warranty or guarantee that it is correct, complete, or up to date.
Watch Here! Step-by-Step Videos For Help With Divorce, Custody, Child Support, Fee Waivers, and More!
Watch Here! Step-by-Step Video Help for Divorce, Custody, and Child Support
- Factors for custody, property, and alimony
- Full Playlist
- Video 1: Getting a Divorce: What to Know Before You Start (including what forms you need)
- Video 2: Can I File for Divorce in D.C.?
- Video 3: How to Fill out a Complaint for Divorce
- Video 4: How to Fill out the Martial Property and Debt Form (Attachment A)
- Video 5: How to File out the Child Custody Form (Attachment B)
- Video 6: How to Fill out the Child Support Form (Attachment C)
- Video 7: How to Ask the Court to Waive the Filing Fees: In Forma Pauperis (IFP) Waiver Form (FOR ANY CASE)
- Video 8: How to File a Divorce Complaint with the Court
- Video 9: How to Prepare for Your First Court Hearing (Divorce Cases)
- Video 10: What to know Before You Start a Custody Case
- Video 11: How to Fill out a Complaint for Custody
- Video 12: How to Navigate the Online Child Support Calculator
- Video 13: What is discovery and what do I do? (Coming Soon)
- Video 14: Evidence – what is it and how to enter it (Coming Soon)
- Video 15: How to Fill out the Petition for Child Support and/or Paternity (Coming Soon)
Divorce
- Complaint for Absolute Divorce
- Consent Answer (Absolute Divorce)
- Contested Answer and Counterclaim (Absolute Divorce)
- Reply to Counterclaim (Absolute Divorce)
- Joint Waiver of Appeal of Divorce Order/Judgment
- Joint Request for Uncontested Divorce Hearing
Legal Separation
- Complaint for Legal Separation
- Consent Answer (Legal Separation)
- Contested Answer and Counterclaim (Legal Separation)
Annulment
- Complaint for Annulment of Marriage
- Consent Answer (Annulment)
- Contested Answer and Counterclaim (Annulment)
Attachments for Divorce, Legal Separation, and Annulment Pleadings
- Attachment A (Marital Property and Marital Debt)
- Attachment B (Child Custody)
- Attachment C (Child Support)
- Motion for Temporary Alimony
- Confidential Information Form
- Motion for Temporary Exclusive Use of Marital Home
Custody
- Complaint for Custody and/or Visitation
- Complaint for Third Party Custody and/or Visitation
- Consent Answer (Complaint for Custody and/or Access to Children)
- Contested Answer (Complaint for Custody and/or Visitation and Counterclaim)
- Reply to Counterclaim (Custody and/or Access to Children)
- Motion to Modify Custody and/or Visitation
- Motion for Temporary Custody and/or Access to Children
- Third Party Motion to Modify Custody and/or Access to Children
- Motion to Intervene in Custody Case as a Third Party Custodian
- Answer Consenting to Third Party Custody Order (Revocable At Will)
- Answer Consenting to Third Party Custody Order (Modifiable Only By Agreement Or By Court Order)
- Notice of Revocation and Motion to Vacate Third Party Custody Order
- Sample Parenting Plan
Parentage and Child Support
- Petition to Establish Parentage and/or for Child Support
- Answer to Petition to Establish Parentage and/or for Child Support
- Motion to Intervene in Child Support Case
- Motion to Modify Child Support Order
- Motion for Contempt (Child Support Order)
- Motion for Use in a Parentage or Child Support Case
- Opposition to Motion (Parentage or Child Support Case)
Motions and Oppositions
- Motion for Contempt (Domestic Relations Order)
- Motion for Permission to Late File
- Motion for Review of Magistrate Judge’s Order
- Opposition to Motion (Domestic Relations Case)
- Opposition to Motion for Review of Magistrate Judge’s Order
- Motion for Services
- Motion for Use in a Domestic Relations Case
- Motion for Use in a Third Party Domestic Relations Case
- Motion to Consolidate Cases
- Request for Continuance
- Motion to Vacate Default
- Motion to Appear Remotely
Request to Have Court Fees Waived
- Application to Proceed Without Prepayment of Costs
- How much it will cost to file papers in your case:
Table of Fees, Domestic Relations Branch, D.C. Superior Court
Standby Guardianship Package
Service of Process
- If you are serving papers by electronic means (text, email, social media, etc.), you must file a sworn written statement (affidavit) as proof of service – Affidavit of Service by Electronic Means
- If you are serving papers by certified mail, you must file a sworn written statement (affidavit) as proof of service – Affidavit of Service by Certified Mail
- If you are serving papers through an individual (such as a private process server), they must file a sworn written statement (affidavit) as proof of service – Affidavit of Service by Individual
- If you are having trouble serving the papers you can:
- ask for more time – Motion for Extension of Time to Serve Defendant
- ask to serve in a different way – Motion for Alternative Service
- Rule 4 Service Instructions
- Rule 5 Proof of Service Form
- If you cannot serve the papers because you cannot find the defendant: Motion to Allow Service by Publication or Posting Including Absent Defendant Locator Worksheet
- If you are seeking a default judgment because the defendant in your case never answered your initial complaint: Motion for Entry of Default Judgment and Affidavit in Compliance with SCRA
Discovery
- Pro Se Guide to Discovery in DC Family Court
- Issuing Discovery – Introduction Page
- Issuing Discovery – Requests for Interrogatories
- Issuing Discovery – Requests for Production of Documents
- Issuing Discovery – Requests for Admissions
- Response to Interrogatory Requests
- Response to Requests for Production of Documents
- Response to Request for Admissions
- Certificate of Discovery
