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Self-Help: Free Legal Aid

Free legal aid organizations, self-help centers, and legal clinics in Phila. and/or PA

Help Centers (Philadelphia)

"The Elder Justice & Civil Resource Center (the “Center”) is a court-operated resource center located in City Hall. The Center provides assistance for all Philadelphians in civil court matters, with a focus on serving individuals 60 and older and self represented litigants. Managed by the First Judicial District Office of Judicial Records, Civil Division..."

Location: Room 278, City Hall, Philadelphia

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Assistance Provided: 

  • Provides information on court processes and procedures
  • Refers seniors and self-represented litigants to legal service providers
  • Connects individuals with volunteer attorney and law student programs (by appointment only and subject to availability)
  • Guides beginners through Civil and Orphans’ Court e-filing systems
  • Assists newly appointed guardians with annual and inventory report filing
  • Shares forms and information 

Volunteers at the Philadelphia Family Court Help Center offer free legal information services about Child Custody.

Note: The volunteers at the Help Center can provide information and forms, but are not able to provide legal advice. If you need legal advice about your particular circumstances you should contact an attorney. If you do not have an attorney, you may be able to obtain one by contacting the Philadelphia Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service at 215.238.6333.

Location: 1501 Arch Street, 11th Floor

Hours: Monday - Thursday, 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Services Provided:

  • Child custody basics
  • How to file for custody (Sole, Primary, Shared, Partial, or Supervised Physical Custody)
  • How to file other custody petitions, including:
    • Petition to Modify Custody Order
    • Petition for Contempt of Custody
    • Motion for Expedited Listing
    • Emergency Petition for Custody
    • Motion for Home Investigation
    • Motion for Mental Health Assessment
    • Motions About Section 5329 Criminal Offenses
    • Motion for Reconsideration
    • Custody Stipulation
    • Relocation
  • How to properly serve petitions/motions
  • How to prepare for custody conferences and hearings
  • A list of other resources

Volunteers at the Philadelphia Family Court Help Center offer free legal information services about simple (no property or assets), no-fault divorces.

Note: The divorce volunteers are from Jenkins Law Library. They are NOT attorneys. Volunteers can provide information and forms, but are not able to provide legal advice. Additionally, the volunteers can NOT help if parties own property or assets (like a house, car, loans, retirement benefits, etc.) or if parties are requesting alimony or other forms of economic relief. It's recommended that people talk to an attorney for those types of situations. If you do not have an attorney, you may be able to obtain one by contacting the Philadelphia Bar Association Lawyer Referral and Information Service at 215-238-6333.

Location: 1501 Arch Street, 11th Floor

Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Services Provided: 

  • Divorce basics
  • How to file for a simple, no-fault divorce (mutual consent or date of separation)
  • How to properly serve divorce documents
  • How to finalize a divorce