elf Help Center

A Self Help Center is a free, walk-in legal information and resource center for low-income persons representing themselves in court. Representing yourself in court is not easy. Like lawyers, you are responsible to understand and follow court rules and procedures and adhere to strict time deadlines. A Self Help Center is not a substitute for professional legal advice. When you cannot afford a lawyer, however, a Self Help Center can provide legal information and resources to help you resolve a legal problem on your own.

Each Self Help Center is coordinated by the Nebraska State Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project in collaboration with the Courts, local bar associations, law schools, attorneys and legal professionals. Volunteers include Nebraska lawyers and non-lawyers who provide assistance under the supervision of a Nebraska lawyer.

Volunteers can:
• answer general questions about the civil court process and court procedures
• provide information and instructions for approved court forms and identify resources to help you complete the forms (forms are not available for every legal problem)
• review approved court forms for completeness and provide instructions for filing
• identify resources to help you find a lawyer or legal services for low-income persons

Volunteers cannot:
• meet with you if you are represented by a lawyer
• help with criminal, immigration, bankruptcy, appeals, or trial discovery documents
• provide information or resources for every case type or legal situation
• give personalized legal advice or legal strategies for your legal problem
• act as your lawyer, appear with you in court, or speak to a judge on your behalf

Important Information about Visiting a Self Help Center

The volunteer you meet with is not your lawyer. A lawyer-client relationship is not formed by meeting with a volunteer. This means your conversation with the volunteer is not confidential or privileged. The other party may visit a Self Help Center and may be helped by the same volunteer. If you want personalized legal advice or strategy, confidential communications, or representation in court, you should retain your own lawyer. There is no cost to visit a Self Help Center but there may be court filing fees and other costs associated with representing yourself. If you have limited financial resources, volunteers will provide you information about fee waivers that may be available for some or all of your court filing fees.

Self Help Center Locations and Hours

Buffalo County: First Friday of the month 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Buffalo County Courthouse at 1512 Central Avenue in Kearney, across from the Clerk of the District Court office.

Douglas County: Every Monday and Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Douglas County Courthouse at 17th & Farnam Street in Omaha, across from the Douglas County Law Library, Harney Street level.

Hall County: Every Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Hall County Courthouse at 111 West First Street in Grand Island, the lower level across from Courtroom #3.

Lancaster County: Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Lancaster County Courthouse at 575 South 10th Street in Lincoln, Third Floor Jury Room area, rear door to the office of the Clerk of the District Court.

Madison County: Third Friday of the month 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Madison County Courthouse at 313 North Main Street in Madison; check in with the Clerk of the District Court office (first office at the courthouse entrance).

Scotts Bluff County: First and third Thursday of the month 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Scotts Bluff County Courthouse at 1725 10th Street in Scottsbluff, basement level.

For more information, please visit https://supremecourt.nebraska.gov/self-help/7241/where-go-help-if-you-cannot-afford-lawyer