Columnist Sandra Thompson: Info center helps families help themselves

IT DIDN'T TAKE long for the Family Law Self-Help Center to justify its existence.

Opened on May 3, the center handled 215 customers and 167 phone calls the first week. Last Wednesday alone, the staff serviced 76 customers, which is expected to push the second-week total above the first.

That's not surprising since 44 percent of litigants represent themselves in Family Court.

Various forms, written in easy-to-understand terms, that are used in divorce cases are available at the center. The packets, which cost a nominal $3 to cover printing costs, contain information on certain procedures and hearings, instructions on divorce petitions, and what documents and other materials litigants need to bring to court. There also is information on the Helping Children Cope With Divorce classes, which divorcing parents are mandated to attend.

The center is an informational outlet only. Rachelle Resnick, the center's manager and an attorney, says the staff can't give legal advice. The center has compiled a list of attorneys who practice family law, and who responded to the center's questionnaire. While the center can't recommend attorneys, providing the list to potential litigants is better than having them pick out names in the Yellow Pages.

The center also provides information on "unbundled" legal services. That's where an attorney may handle only one aspect of a case, such as a property settlement or custody issue. It's less costly than hiring an attorney to handle the entire case.

The county contracted with Nevada Legal Services to run the self-help center. The staff includes Resnick, a secretary and three people on contract from Nevada Legal Services who help customers with forms and discuss services. At some point, a program coordinator will be hired.

The center is patterned after a successful program in Maricopa County, Ariz., where the vast majority of litigants represent themselves in Family Court matters.

While the center will be a boon to helping litigants navigate the Family Court maze and to better understand some of the procedures, the need for affordable legal advice remains great.

To help fill that need, the State Bar of Nevada is seeking to increase the number of attorneys and firms that provide pro bono or reduced-fee work.

According to a letter from the Eighth Judicial District Pro Bono Foundation, the Nevada Supreme Court in 1996 established specific goals: Attorneys could donate $500 to a pro-bono organization, give 20 hours of pro-bono services or 60 hours of reduced-fee work. Included with the letter in a packet distributed to attorneys is a commitment form.

Comments about the new self-help center, located on the first floor of Family Court by the clerk's office, have been overwhelmingly favorable. The atmosphere is professional and pleasant.

The staff has been trained in how to deal with individual customers, some of whom are traumatized by the divorce process. Sometimes litigants' emotions cloud their reasoning powers, and they can't think as clearly as they usually do. The staff will guide them through the process, making them feel more comfortable.

Although barely out of the starting gate, the center is already proving to be a giant positive step in getting Family Court to be more responsive to litigants' needs. As the center grows, expect services to expand.

archive