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You are here: Free & Low Cost Legal Help > Lawyers, Government Agencies, Nonprofit Groups > Help With Particular Kinds of Problems > Questions & Answers About Family Law Facilitators
How can I find the family law facilitator in my county?
What is a family law facilitator?
What does a family law facilitator do?
Is the family law facilitator my lawyer?
Am I eligible to see the family law facilitator?
What information do I need to show the family law facilitator?
Can I talk to the family law facilitator on the phone?
Will the family law facilitator in my county help me with a case in another county?
What if I am disabled and can't travel to my family law facilitator's office?
What if I am in jail or prison and can't travel to a family law facilitator's office?
What if I don't speak English?
How can I find the family law facilitator in my county?
Click here to find the Family Law Facilitator in Your County.
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What is a family law facilitator?
A family law facilitator is a lawyer with experience in family law who works for the superior court in your county to help parents and children involved in family law cases with child, spousal, and partner support problems.
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What does the family law facilitator do?
The family law facilitator gives you educational materials that explain how to:
- Establish parentage; and
- Get, change, or enforce child, spousal, or partner support orders.
The family law facilitator can also:
- Give you the court forms you need;
- Help you fill out your forms;
- Help you figure out support amounts; and
- Refer you to your local child support agency, family court services, and other community agencies that help parents and children.
The family law facilitator in your county may be able to help you in other ways, too. Contact your local family law facilitator to learn more.
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Is the family law facilitator my lawyer?
The family law facilitator is not your lawyer. He or she is an independent lawyer who can help parents or children who do not have their own lawyer.
Both parties can get help from the same family law facilitator. Remember: You do not have attorney-client privilege. What you say to the family law facilitator is not confidential.
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Am I eligible to see the family law facilitator?
Anyone who does not have their own lawyer can see the family law facilitator. It doesn't matter how much money you make.
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What information do I need to show the family law facilitator?
If possible, call your family law facilitator and ask what papers you should bring.
Be sure to take this information:
- Your court case number(s), and
- A copy of any orders or judgment in your case(s).
If you do not have your court documents, ask the court clerk for copies. They will charge you a copying fee (about 50 cents per page). The court clerk can also give you the court case number.
If you want help with child support, spousal support, partner support, or court fees, take:
- Your pay stubs for the last 2 months (or bank statements showing direct deposit of your paycheck),
- Proof of unemployment benefits,
- Proof of income and expenses from self-employment, and
- A copy of your most recent federal and state tax returns.
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Can I talk to the family law facilitator on the phone?
Family law facilitators usually work in person with groups of people or in walk-in clinics. They need to see your case file and will probably have you read and sign a disclosure form before they can talk to you.
To see the disclosure form in Spanish, click here.
To see the disclosure form in Chinese, click here.
To see the disclosure form in Korean, click here.
To see the disclosure form in Vietnamese, click here.
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Will the family law facilitator in my county help me with a case in another county?
Family law facilitators can help you with cases in other counties. But often they have to refer you to the facilitator in the other county because that facilitator will know more about how that court works.
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What if I am disabled and can't travel to my family law facilitator's office?
You may try to write or telephone the Family Law Facilitator. This may take more time than going to the facilitator's office for help. The family law facilitator may need copies of documents and other information from your case file.
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What if I don't speak English?
Ask for an interpreter. If your family law facilitator does not have an interpreter who can help you, bring someone to interpret for you. Do not use a child to interpret for you.
To be prepared for how the family law facilitator can help you, read the disclosure form.
To see the disclosure form in Spanish, click here.
To see the disclosure form in Chinese, click here.
To see the disclosure form in Korean, click here.
To see the disclosure form in Vietnamese, click here.
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Last modified: 03/17/2008
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