16 Resources
Maryland Courts Self-Help Center provides official forms, guides, and instructions for custody, visitation, and parenting plan filings for self-represented parents statewide. Access downloadable packets at mdcourts.gov or email selfhelp@mdcourts.gov. Walk-in help available at most circuit courthouses. Covers custody petitions, consent orders, and modification motions. Filing fees apply; fee waivers available for qualifying low-income individuals. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm.
410-260-1392 · Statewide Online Resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
Women's Law Center of Maryland provides free and reduced-cost family law representation for low-income women including custody, divorce, protective orders, and immigration matters. Call 410-321-8761 or email info@wlcmd.org to apply for services. Bring photo ID, proof of income, and any existing court documents. Located at 305 W Chesapeake Ave, Towson. Income eligibility required for free services. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Also provides brief legal advice and referrals for women who don't qualify for full representation.
410-321-8761 · 305 W Chesapeake Ave Suite 201, Towson, MD 21204 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Pro Bono Resource Center of Maryland connects qualifying low-income women with volunteer attorneys for custody, family law, housing, and consumer cases through its coordinated pro bono network. Call 410-837-9379 or email info@probonomd.org to apply. Bring proof of income and documentation of your legal issue. Located at 520 W Fayette St, Baltimore. Income limits apply. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Coordinates referrals from multiple pro bono programs across Maryland to find the right match for your case.
410-837-9379 · 520 W Fayette St Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21201 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website
Montgomery County Circuit Court Family Division provides a self-help center assisting self-represented parents with custody petitions, visitation motions, and family law forms. Walk-in assistance available during court hours. Call 240-773-9670 or visit the courthouse at 50 Maryland Ave, Rockville. Court clerks can explain forms but cannot provide legal advice. Filing fees apply; fee waiver forms available. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm. Interpreters available for non-English speaking petitioners with advance notice.
240-773-9670 · 50 Maryland Ave, Rockville, MD 20850 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website
Prince George's County Family Court Self-Help Center provides free assistance for self-represented parents with custody petitions, visitation motions, and family law forms. Call 301-952-3318 or visit the courthouse at 14735 Main St, Upper Marlboro. Court staff can guide you through the forms process but cannot provide legal advice. Filing fees apply; fee waivers available for qualifying individuals. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm. Spanish-language forms available. Bring your ID and relevant documentation.
301-952-3318 · 14735 Main St, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website
Anne Arundel County Family Court Services provides family law assistance including access to custody mediation, parenting plan resources, and self-help forms for self-represented parties. Call 410-222-1397 or visit the Circuit Court at 8 Church Cir, Annapolis. Staff can assist with navigating court processes and scheduling mediation. Filing fees apply with fee waivers for qualifying individuals. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm. Court-connected mediation available to help parents reach parenting agreements without full litigation.
410-222-1397 · 8 Church Cir, Annapolis, MD 21401 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website
Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office provides court-connected mediation services statewide for parents resolving custody, visitation, and parenting plan disputes. Mediation is faster and less expensive than litigation. Call 410-260-3540 or email macro@mdcourts.gov to request a referral through your court. Mediators are trained neutrals who facilitate agreement between parents. Located at 580 Taylor Ave, Annapolis. Reduced-cost mediation available for qualifying families. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm.
410-260-3540 · 580 Taylor Ave, Annapolis, MD 21401 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website
Baltimore City Family Court Self-Help Center provides walk-in assistance for self-represented parents needing help with custody forms, family law filings, and court procedures. Call 410-878-8000 or visit the courthouse at 111 N Calvert St, Baltimore. Court staff can explain forms but cannot provide legal advice. Filing fees apply with fee waivers for qualifying individuals. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm. Interpretation services available with advance notice. Bring your ID, any existing court orders, and relevant case documentation.
410-878-8000 · 111 N Calvert St, Baltimore, MD 21202 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website
Free online legal resource providing state-by-state custody and visitation guides written by attorneys specifically for women. Covers legal vs. physical custody, modification of orders, relocation, and how domestic violence affects custody decisions. Use the website to understand your rights before court dates. No account needed. Available 24/7 at womenslaw.org — also offers an email hotline staffed by advocates.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The American Bar Association Family Law Section maintains a public attorney directory and educational resources on custody, divorce, and parenting plans. Use the Find-A-Lawyer tool to locate board-certified family law attorneys in your state. Free publications explain custody standards, best-interest-of-child analysis, and modification procedures. Access the resource library at americanbar.org — no registration required.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The federal Office of Child Support Services oversees all state child support enforcement programs and coordinates interstate cases. Their website provides a directory linking directly to each state agency, information on establishing paternity, enforcing orders, and modifying support amounts. Free to access at acf.hhs.gov/css. Useful if the other parent lives in a different state from you.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
USA.gov is the official US government portal with plain-language guidance on child custody and child support, including links to every state enforcement agency. Explains how to apply for support, enforce existing orders, and modify amounts when circumstances change. Available in multiple languages. Access free at usa.gov/child-support — no account needed. A reliable starting point for understanding your rights and next steps.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
ChildWelfare.gov is a federal information gateway offering research-based guidance on custody, kinship care, foster care, and parenting plans. Resources include publications on co-parenting, grandparent rights, and trauma-informed approaches for children experiencing family transitions. Free at childwelfare.gov — no registration required. Especially useful for grandmothers, kinship caregivers, and foster parents navigating custody processes.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges provides research, best practice guides, and judicial training on custody, domestic violence, and child welfare. Their public resource library includes toolkits for understanding how courts evaluate custody and the impact of DV on custody decisions. Free at ncjfcj.org. Particularly useful for women preparing for custody hearings where abuse is involved.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Cornell Law School's Legal Information Institute offers free, authoritative legal definitions and overviews of family law topics including custody standards, visitation rights, child support guidelines, and termination of parental rights. Plain-language articles link to primary sources like statutes and case law. Available 24/7 at law.cornell.edu — no account needed. A reliable resource for understanding legal terminology before consulting an attorney.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
FindLaw provides free public legal information on child custody arrangements including sole vs. joint custody, parenting plans, custody modifications, and enforcement of orders. State-specific guides explain how courts determine best interest of the child and what to expect during hearings. Access 24/7 at family.findlaw.com — no registration needed. Also includes an attorney directory if you need to hire representation.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website