West Virginia 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 West Virginia on your own, start with the free help that already exists. This page lists, for each of the 55 counties, the court's self-help program and the free legal aid office that serves it, with phone numbers and websites.

Statewide: Family Court Forms. The state courts' official family court forms, including step-by-step divorce packets for people filing without a lawyer.

Barbour County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Belington, Junior, and Philippi.

Berkeley County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Hedgesville and Martinsburg.

Boone County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Danville, Madison, Sylvester, and Whitesville.

Braxton County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Burnsville, Flatwoods, Gassaway, and Sutton.

Brooke County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Beech Bottom, Bethany, Follansbee, Weirton, Wellsburg, and Windsor Heights.

Cabell County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Barboursville, Huntington, and Milton.

Calhoun County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Grantsville.

Clay County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Clay.

Doddridge County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers West Union.

Fayette County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Ansted, Fayetteville, Gauley Bridge, Meadow Bridge, Montgomery, Mount Hope, Oak Hill, Pax, Smithers, and Thurmond.

Gilmer County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Glenville and Sand Fork.

Grant County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Bayard and Petersburg.

Greenbrier County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Alderson, Falling Spring, Lewisburg, Quinwood, Rainelle, Ronceverte, Rupert, and White Sulphur Springs.

Hampshire County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Capon Bridge and Romney.

Hancock County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Chester, New Cumberland, and Weirton.

Hardy County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Moorefield and Wardensville.

Harrison County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Anmoore, Bridgeport, Clarksburg, Lost Creek, Lumberport, Nutter Fort, Salem, Shinnston, Stonewood, and West Milford.

Jackson County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Ravenswood and Ripley.

Jefferson County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Bolivar, Charles Town, Harpers Ferry, Ranson, and Shepherdstown.

Kanawha County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Belle, Cedar Grove, Charleston, Chesapeake, Clendenin, Dunbar, East Bank, Glasgow, Handley, Marmet, Montgomery, and Nitro.

Lewis County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Jane Lew and Weston.

Lincoln County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Hamlin and West Hamlin.

Logan County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Chapmanville, Logan, Man, Mitchell Heights, and West Logan.

McDowell County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Anawalt, Bradshaw, Davy, Gary, Iaeger, Keystone, Kimball, Northfork, War, and Welch.

Marion County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Barrackville, Fairmont, Fairview, Farmington, Grant Town, Mannington, Monongah, Pleasant Valley, Rivesville, White Hall, and Worthington.

Marshall County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Benwood, Cameron, Glen Dale, McMechen, Moundsville, and Wheeling.

Mason County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Hartford City, Henderson, Leon, Mason, New Haven, and Point Pleasant.

Mercer County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Athens, Bluefield, Bramwell, Matoaka, Oakvale, and Princeton.

Mineral County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Carpendale, Elk Garden, Keyser, Piedmont, and Ridgeley.

Mingo County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Delbarton, Gilbert, Kermit, Matewan, and Williamson.

Monongalia County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Blacksville, Granville, Morgantown, Star City, and Westover.

Monroe County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Alderson, Peterstown, and Union.

Morgan County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Bath (Berkeley Springs) and Paw Paw.

Nicholas County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Richwood and Summersville.

Ohio County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Bethlehem, Clearview, Triadelphia, Valley Grove, West Liberty, and Wheeling.

Pendleton County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Franklin.

Pleasants County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Belmont and St. Marys.

Pocahontas County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Durbin, Hillsboro, and Marlinton.

Preston County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Albright, Brandonville, Bruceton Mills, Kingwood, Masontown, Newburg, Reedsville, Rowlesburg, Terra Alta, and Tunnelton.

Putnam County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Bancroft, Buffalo, Eleanor, Hurricane, Nitro, Poca, and Winfield.

Raleigh County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Beckley, Lester, Mabscott, Rhodell, and Sophia.

Randolph County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Beverly, Elkins, Harman, Huttonsville, Mill Creek, Montrose, and Womelsdorf (Coalton).

Ritchie County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Auburn, Cairo, Ellenboro, Harrisville, Pennsboro, and Pullman.

Roane County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Reedy and Spencer.

Summers County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Hinton.

Taylor County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Flemington and Grafton.

Tucker County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Davis, Hambleton, Hendricks, Parsons, and Thomas.

Tyler County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Friendly, Middlebourne, Paden City, and Sistersville.

Upshur County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Buckhannon.

Wayne County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Ceredo, Fort Gay, Huntington, Kenova, and Wayne.

Webster County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Addison (Webster Springs), Camden-on-Gauley, and Cowen.

Wetzel County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Hundred, New Martinsville, Paden City, Pine Grove, and Smithfield.

Wirt County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Elizabeth.

Wood County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers North Hills, Parkersburg, Vienna, and Williamstown.

Wyoming County: court help from Family Court Forms. Free legal aid from Legal Aid of West Virginia, phone (866) 255-4370. Covers Mullens, Oceana, and Pineville.

Where can I get free help with a family court case in West Virginia without a lawyer? Start with Family Court Forms, run by West Virginia Judiciary. It serves every county in West Virginia. For free legal advice, contact Legal Aid of West Virginia if you qualify by income.

Who gives free legal aid in West Virginia? West Virginia is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Legal Aid of West Virginia. 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 West Virginia without a lawyer?

Start with Family Court Forms, run by West Virginia Judiciary. It serves every county in West Virginia. For free legal advice, contact Legal Aid of West Virginia if you qualify by income.

Who gives free legal aid in West Virginia?

West Virginia is served by one federally funded legal aid office: Legal Aid of West Virginia. 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.