Connecticut Pro Se Help: Free Court Self-Help Centers and Legal Aid by County
Pro se means representing yourself. In Connecticut, 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: Connecticut Judicial Branch Self-Help Section. Free forms, FAQs and guides for people representing themselves in Connecticut court cases without a lawyer.
Statewide: Connecticut Court Service Centers, phone (203) 965-5288, email Court.ServiceCenter@jud.ct.gov. Statewide network of courthouse centers that help self-represented parties with forms and case paperwork.
Fairfield County: court help from Bridgeport Court Service Center, phone (203) 579-7210. Free legal aid from Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, phone (800) 453-3320. Covers Bridgeport, Danbury, Newtown, Norwalk, Shelton, and Stamford.
Hartford County: court help from Hartford Family Court Service Center, phone (860) 706-5064. Free legal aid from Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, phone (800) 453-3320. Covers Bristol, Hartford, and New Britain.
Litchfield County: court help from Litchfield Court Service Center, phone (860) 626-2529. Free legal aid from Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, phone (800) 453-3320. Covers Bantam, Litchfield, and Torrington.
Middlesex County: court help from Middlesex Court Service Center, phone (860) 343-6499. Free legal aid from Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, phone (800) 453-3320. Covers Fenwick and Middletown.
New Haven County: court help from New Haven Court Service Center, phone (203) 503-6819. Free legal aid from Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, phone (800) 453-3320. Covers Ansonia, Derby, Meriden, Naugatuck, New Haven, Waterbury, West Haven, and Woodmont.
New London County: court help from Norwich Court Service Center, phone (860) 823-0857. Free legal aid from Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, phone (800) 453-3320. Covers Groton, Groton Long Point, Jewett City, New London, Norwich, and Stonington.
Tolland County: court help from Tolland Court Service Center, phone (860) 896-4945. Free legal aid from Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, phone (800) 453-3320. Covers Coventry Lake, Crystal Lake, Mansfield Center, Rockville, Somers, and South Coventry.
Windham County: court help from Windham Court Service Center, phone (860) 928-7749 ext. 4022. Free legal aid from Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut, phone (800) 453-3320. Covers Danielson.
Where can I get free help with a family court case in Connecticut without a lawyer? Start with Connecticut Judicial Branch Self-Help Section, run by Connecticut Judicial Branch. 8 of 8 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut if you qualify by income.
Does every Connecticut county have its own self-help center? No. 8 of 8 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Connecticut Judicial Branch Self-Help Section, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Connecticut.
Who gives free legal aid in Connecticut? Connecticut is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut. 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 Connecticut without a lawyer?
Start with Connecticut Judicial Branch Self-Help Section, run by Connecticut Judicial Branch. 8 of 8 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut if you qualify by income.
Does every Connecticut county have its own self-help center?
No. 8 of 8 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by Connecticut Judicial Branch Self-Help Section, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in Connecticut.
Who gives free legal aid in Connecticut?
Connecticut is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut. 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.
Free co-parent text messaging with evidence organization and behavior pattern tools
Preparing for a family court conversation often starts with finding the right information. Free co-parent text messaging, evidence organization and behavior pattern tools help you connect selected messages, supporting records and dated observations so you can review the details and prepare questions for your attorney.
Free co-parent text messaging
Keep everyday discussions about your child's schedule, school and appointments in a time-stamped message history. A clear question and the replies that follow can be easier to review than scattered screenshots. Include the surrounding conversation when selecting messages for your records. Free direct text messaging gives you a starting point; optional calls and other tools have separate plan details.
Evidence Builder for case preparation
Organize selected messages, notes and supporting files with dates, clear titles and source descriptions. Keep original files available and distinguish what a record says from your explanation of it. Evidence Builder helps you assemble exhibits and find the material you want to discuss. It does not submit evidence to a court or determine whether any item will be accepted.
Review behavior patterns in context
Use behavior pattern tools to review communication over time and connect dated observations to their supporting records. Response timing, unanswered questions and member-added notes can provide starting points for your review. Check automated findings against the full conversation, including later replies or explanations. The tools do not establish intent, diagnose a parent or replace an attorney's assessment of your circumstances.
Direct text messaging is free. Optional tools, calls, reports and downloads may require a paid plan. Review the current pricing for what is included. See plans and pricing