SELF-HELP CLINICS

Self-help divorce packets and clinics are available for simple, uncomplicated divorces. The clinic does not provide legal representation.

The Self-Help Divorce Clinic locations served: Clinic participants must be able to attend the divorce clinic, which is held ONLY in Carson City. Participants are generally from Carson City, Douglas, Storey, Lyon, Mineral, and Churchill counties. If you live outside of these counties, please contact our office at 775-883-8278 to see if the Divorce clinic might be right for you.

What does the Self-Help Divorce Clinic do?

The Clinic provides self-help packets and instructions for individuals representing themselves because they cannot afford to retain an attorney. You will be required to attend the Self-Help Divorce Clinic, held once per month in our office in Carson City. At the Clinic, volunteer attorneys will provide instructions and information on completing and filing legal documents with the Court. Volunteer attorneys will also provide instructions on serving your spouse with the legal documents and instructions on how to obtain a final decree of divorce.

Who can apply for assistance?

If you are a low-income resident of Carson City, Storey County, Churchill County, Douglas County or Lyon County, you may apply for assistance by contacting VARN.

Will an attorney represent me?

NO. The Clinic does not provide legal representation. The Clinic provides self-help packets and instructions for individuals representing themselves because they cannot afford to retain an attorney.

If you need legal representation, you should contact a private attorney.

Is the Clinic appropriate for all divorces?

NO. The Clinics are for simple, uncomplicated divorces. If your case involves complicated issues concerning minor children, large assets, property or debt division, this Clinic may not be for you.

Other important information

*If you are eligible for assistance, an initial interview will be conducted and you will be provided with an informational packet. You will be required to complete and return a Clinic Worksheet at which time you will be scheduled for the next available Clinic.

*At the Clinic you will be provided with a self-help packet which contains information, instructions and forms. You will need to complete and file the legal documents with the court. Volunteer attorneys at the Clinic will provide you with important information concerning divorce and will provide instructions on how the legal documents should be completed before they are filed with the
court.

*After the Clinic, you will need to finalize your documents, file them with the court and have them served on your spouse. If you do not know your spouse’s whereabouts, you can obtain service of process on your spouse by publication in a newspaper. Publication costs are approximately $150 and cannot be waived. If your spouse files a legal response with the court contesting the divorce, the
Clinic will no longer be able to help you and you would be advised to consult with or retain a private
attorney for representation.

*If your spouse does not respond within 20 days after being served, you will be provided with another self-help packet which contains the information, instructions and forms you will need to file in order to obtain a final decree of divorce. If your spouse does not contest the matter there will probably not be a court hearing. After you have finalized these documents, you will need to file them with the court. Your divorce will become final on the day the Judge signs the Decree of Divorce.

NOTICE! IT IS GENERALLY IN YOUR BEST INTEREST TO HAVE LEGAL REPRESENTATION IN A DIVORCE. WHETHER OR NOT YOU BELIEVE THE CLINIC MAY BE APPROPRIATE FOR YOU, YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH A PRIVATE ATTORNEY.

To apply for assistance through the SELF-HELP DIVORCE CLINIC click here