The following information provides an overview of Maryland's Family Law Self-Help Centers. The hours of operation listed for each program are subject to change; call first to confirm hours.

ALLEGANY

The Allegany Law Foundation operates the Pro Se Clinic for Allegany County. Local, private attorneys rotate staffing and assist clients with filling out domestic relations court forms. Walk-in services are available every Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Circuit Court at 30 Washington Street, Cumberland, and usually on the 3rd Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Frostburg Public Library, 65 E. Main, Frostburg. This legal service is free, and there is no income screening. The contact agency is Allegany Law Foundation 301-722-3390.

ANNE ARUNDEL 

The Annapolis office of the Legal Aid Bureau, Inc. operates the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Pro Se Program.  Two attorneys and two legal assistants provide assistance to pro se litigants.  The Program is open for walk-in service on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 9 am to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays and Fridays 9 am to 1 pm.  Phone assistance is available Monday through Friday from 9 am to noon, by calling 410-280-5374. 

BALTIMORE CITY 

The Pro Se Project at Baltimore City Circuit Court is open 5 days per week from 9 am to 3 pm.  They occasionally have monthly training sessions for pro se litigants on the techniques of litigation.  The Legal Aid Bureau operates the project and nine attorneys rotate staffing the Circuit Court during the hours of operation.   The staff does screen for income eligibility.  The contact person is Sue German 410-396-3648. 

BALTIMORE COUNTY

The Family Division at the Baltimore County Circuit Court operates the Pro Se Program by contracting with private attorneys to provide assistance to pro se litigants in domestic cases. The Program  provides assistance on Monday and Friday from 9 am to 2 pm and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Thursdays 2 pm to 7 pm. There is no income screening.  The contact person is Richard Abbott 410-887-3446.

CALVERT

The Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Service provides assistance for the Calvert County Circuit Court's Pro Se Program.  They do screen for income eligibility.  Walk-in services are available at the courthouse on Wednesdays from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm.  The contact person is Patricia Veitch 410-535-1600 x2516.

CAROLINE

The Caroline County Circuit Court Pro Se Clinic provides assistance on Mondays from 9 am to noon at the courthouse. The staff does screen for income eligibility.  The contact person is John Cambardella 410-479-4162.

CARROLL

The Carroll County Circuit Court Pro Se Program provides assistance Tuesdays from 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm.  Sixteen attorneys donate time to the program on a rotating basis.  They do screen for income.  The contact person is Powel Welliver 410-386-2401.

CECIL

The Legal Aid Bureau operates the Cecil County Pro Se Program on Mondays from 1 pm to 4:30 pm.  They do screen for income eligibility.  General assistance with forms is available during court operating hours through Family Services.  The contact person is Jessica Hagan 410-996-1157.

CHARLES

Charles County Circuit Court Pro Se Program operates on Tuesdays from 9 am to 12:30 p.m.  Attorneys donate their time to the program.  The contact person is Ann McFadden 301-932-3426.

DORCHESTER

Dorchester County Circuit Court Pro Se Program operates on Mondays from 12 to 3:30 pm.  The staff does screen for income eligibility.  The contact person is Amy Craig 410-228-1395.

FREDERICK

Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Service operates the Frederick County Pro Se Program on Tuesdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.   Assistance is provided to "income eligible" litigants. An interpreter is available for hearing-impaired litigants.  The contact person is Lynn MacPherson - 301-600-2023.

GARRETT

The Garrett County Program is offered at Oakland City Hall and Grantsville Community Building on a bi-weekly basis.  Additional assistance is provided by the Family Support Services Coordinator during court business hours.   The contact person is Randy Whitaker 301-334-7602.

HARFORD

Harford County Circuit Court Family Services Program operates the Pro Se Project, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  A satellite office is open in Aberdeen Wednesday mornings from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Assistance is provided by telephone, appointment or walk-in.  The contact person is Lynn Reppar 410-638-4916.

HOWARD

Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Service operates the Howard County Circuit Court Pro Se Program  - Wednesdays from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm.  Staff does screen for income eligibility. The contact person is Lisa Mohink 410-313-2225.

KENT

The Kent County Pro Se Program operates every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon and the  2nd Monday of each month from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.  Staff does screen for income eligibility.  The contact person is Rebecca Taylor 410-810-1059.

MONTGOMERY

The Family Division of the Montgomery County Circuit Court operates their Pro Se Program with three full time attorneys and a full time paralegal (fluent in Spanish).  Legal information is available to everyone, but only qualified, low income parties may receive legal advice.   The contact person is Avi Sickel 240-777-9060.

PRINCE GEORGE'S

The Prince George's County Law Foundation operates the Pro Se Program for the Prince George's County Circuit Court. The Program operates Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon.    The court also offers Pro Se Orientation classes twice monthly from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and staffs a Family Division Information and Referral Center.  The contact person is Linda Morris 301-780-8000.

QUEEN ANNE'S

Family Law Assistance Clinic: Volunteer lawyers are available in the courthouse every Monday from 1:30 - 4:00; every Wednesday from 9:00 - Noon; and Thursdays at the Queen Anne's County Public Library from 5:30 - 6:30, 1st and 2nd week of the month at the Kent Island Branch and 3rd and 4th week of the month at the Centreville Branch, for consultation on how to represent yourself and complete forms for divorce, custody, visitation and modification of child support. The contact person is Shelly Coleman 410-758-1773 x 128.

SOMERSET

Somerset County Pro Se Litigants Assistance Program is available every Tuesday at the Somerset County Circuit Court Annex, 11770 Somerset Avenue, Princess Anne, MD from 9:00 a.m. to 12 noon.  Parties are served on a first come, first serve basis.  The contact person is Karen Brimer 410-651-4618.

ST. MARY'S

St. Mary's County Circuit Court has contracted with a private attorney to provide assistance for three days per month.   Beginning July, 2004 all three days will be Mondays.  The contact person is Linda Grove 301-475-4689.

TALBOT

The Talbot County Circuit Court Pro Se Program operates on Mondays from 9 a.m. to noon.  The contact person is Patricia Jordan 410-822-3718.

WASHINGTON

Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Service operates the Washington County Circuit Court's Pro Se Program on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m..  Staff does screen for income eligibility.  The contact person is Patricia Witmer 240-313-2580.

WICOMICO

The Wicomico County Circuit Court has contracted with a private attorney to operate their Pro Se Program on Mondays from 9 am to noon.  The contact person is Ellen White 410-548-7107.

WORCESTER

The Worcester County Circuit Court has contracted with two private attorneys to provide assistance with the Pro Se Clinic.  The Clinic operates on Mondays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.   Each litigant must sign a "waiver of understanding" that the project is not "legal representation".  The contact person is Anne Turner 410-632-5638.