Rhode Island Pro Se Help: Free Court Self-Help Centers and Legal Aid by County
If you are handling a divorce, custody, support or protective order case in Rhode Island on your own, start with the free help that already exists. This page lists, for each of the 5 counties, the court's self-help program and the free legal aid office that serves it, with phone numbers and websites.
Statewide: Rhode Island Judiciary Self-Help Center. Free guides on going to court, courthouse rules and case lookup for people representing themselves.
Statewide: Rhode Island State Law Library, phone (401) 222-3275, email lawlibraryinfo@courts.ri.gov. Free legal research help for self-represented litigants and the public at the main courthouse library.
Bristol County: court help from Rhode Island Judiciary Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Rhode Island Legal Services, phone (401) 274-2652. Covers Barrington, Bristol, and Warren.
Kent County: court help from Rhode Island Judiciary Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Rhode Island Legal Services, phone (401) 274-2652. Covers Warwick.
Newport County: court help from Rhode Island Judiciary Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Rhode Island Legal Services, phone (401) 274-2652. Covers Newport.
Providence County: court help from Rhode Island Judiciary Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Rhode Island Legal Services, phone (401) 274-2652. Covers Central Falls, Cranston, East Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, and Woonsocket.
Washington County: court help from Rhode Island Judiciary Self-Help Center. Free legal aid from Rhode Island Legal Services, phone (401) 274-2652. Covers Ashaway, Bradford, Carolina, Charlestown, Hope Valley, and Hopkinton.
Where can I get free help with a family court case in Rhode Island without a lawyer? Start with Rhode Island Judiciary Self-Help Center, run by Rhode Island Judiciary. It serves every county in Rhode Island. For free legal advice, contact Rhode Island Legal Services if you qualify by income.
Who gives free legal aid in Rhode Island? Rhode Island is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Rhode Island Legal Services. 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 Rhode Island without a lawyer?
Start with Rhode Island Judiciary Self-Help Center, run by Rhode Island Judiciary. It serves every county in Rhode Island. For free legal advice, contact Rhode Island Legal Services if you qualify by income.
Who gives free legal aid in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Rhode Island Legal Services. 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