The Family Court decides cases of divorce, custody, visitation, paternity and child support. If you need legal information in a family matter, links to useful resources are listed on the self representation page.on the DC Courts website. You may also call the Family Self Help Center at 202-879-0096 to speak to someone about your family court issue.
Please see the interactive interviews below to assist you in creating forms related to family cases.
For additional information on the filing process, please click here.
Please click here to complete a Confidential Information form. Once completed, you can attach it at the end of the online interactive interview that you are completing. Once you attach the Confidential Information form, it will be submitted with your completed online interactive interview forms.
Complaint for Custody and/or Visitation
Motion for Temporary Custody and/or Visitation
You may use this free program to ask the court for the temporary custody/visitation arrangement you think is best for your family until the court can make a final decision.
Click Here to Start Your Online Interview
Answer to Complaint for Custody and/or Visitation
Someone has asked for Custody and/or Visitation of your child/ren. You may use this program to tell the court that:
- You agree with their request, or
- You do NOT agree with their request and you ask the court for a different custody/visitation arrangement.
Click Here to Start Your Online Interview
Domestic Relations Motion
General Opposition to Motion
If someone files a legal paper with the Court requesting something that you disagree with, you may use this free program to tell the court that you disagree with their request.
Click Here to Start Your Online Interview
Answer to Complaint for Divorce
Use this to create a consent or contested answer to a complaint for divorce. The answer may include matters relating to property, debts, alimony, custody and child support.
Click Here to Start Your Online Interview
Motion To Modify Child Support
Motion for Contempt of a Child Support Order
You may use this free program to create a Motion for Contempt. This motion is appropriate when the opposing party is not paying child support as ordered by the court. If you do not have an attorney, you can contact the Self-Help Center at 202-879-0096 for assistance.
Click Here to Start Your Online Interview
Motion for Default Judgment
If you have filed a case and the person you filed your case against has not filed an answer yet, and the court has entered a default in the case, you can use this free program to complete the process and ask the court for a default judgment. This will allow the court to hold a hearing and address the issues you raised in your complaint.
Click Here to Start Your Online Interview
CCAN Appointment of Counsel Eligibility Form
Notice to Appear in Person for a Remote Hearing
Motion to Appear Remotely for an In Person Hearing
Form to Generate Reports for Advocates in Mental Health Cases
