The 10th Judicial District Self-Help Center offers assistance to self-represented litigants (people who are representing themselves in court) by providing:

• Information on pro bono and low cost legal services
• Information on legal referral services and information about mediation services
• Forms and instructions on completing existing and approved statewide forms. Some fees may apply to forms.
• Information on court procedures
• Help with calculating guideline child support

Self-Help Center staff CANNOT provide legal advice.  If an individual chooses to be self-represented, that individual will have the same responsibility as an attorney to follow court rules and procedures to move the case forward.  Self-Help Center staff are not responsible for the outcome of the case.  This website is not a substitute for legal advice.  Talk with a lawyer if you need legal advice.
 

Walk-in Services

The Self-Help Center has computers with access to online resources available on a first-come first-served basis.  The Self-Help Center has forms and can perform a review of forms for completeness relating to:

• Civil pleadings        
• Conciliation court
• Landlord/tenant cases
• Change of name
• Dissolution of marriage actions
• Custody proceedings
• Child support matters

The Self-Help Center can also provide some limited assistance with probate matters and criminal matters, such as criminal expungements.
 
The Self-Help Center DOES NOT currently provide assistance with orders for protection (“OFPs”) or harassment restraining orders (“HROs”) (contact your Court Administration office for assistance with OFPs and HROs) or the following case types:  appealing a decision to the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court; annulment of marriage; legal separation; third-party custody; grandparent visitation; adoptions; termination of parental rights; wills; estates; trusts; juvenile matters; immigration issues; bankruptcy issues or emergency motions.  There may be other areas in which the Self-Help Center is unable to provide assistance, depending on the particular case type. 
 
The Self-Help Center cannot:

• Do legal research for self-represented litigants
• Recommend one option over another
• Predict or guarantee an outcome
• Offer legal strategy, advice or theory
• Interpret or analyze an aspect of a statute, rule or order
• Advise someone to file a case or of a particular action to take
• Offer an opinion on the merits of a case
• Assist with forms that have not been properly approved

The 10th District Self-Help clinic serves all of the counties in the 10th District.  The hours for service in Washington County are:

Thursday and Friday
8:30 a.m.  - 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The clinic sees clients on a first-come first-served basis based on availability.  Note: Based on staffing, hours/days are subject to change.  If you are planning to visit the Self-Help Center in person, please call (763) 279-4325 (voicemails not currently accepted) to confirm the Center is open the day you plan to visit. 

You can also contact the 10th District Self-Help Center via email at 10CourtHelp@courts.state.mn.us.