Pro Se Family Law Pleadings

Watch Here! Step-by-Step Video Help for Divorce, Custody, and Child Support

• Factors for custody, property, and alimony
• Full Playlist
• Video 1: Getting a Divorce: What to Know Before You Start (including what forms you need)
  • Video 1: Cómo divorciarse: lo que debe saber antes de comenzar
• Video 2: Can I File for Divorce in D.C.?
  • Video 2: ¿Puedo solicitar el divorcio en D.C.?
• Video 3: How to Fill out a Complaint for Divorce
• Video 4: How to Fill out the Martial Property and Debt Form (Attachment A)
• Video 5: How to File out the Child Custody Form (Attachment B)
• Video 6: How to Fill out the Child Support Form (Attachment C)
• Video 7: How to Ask the Court to Waive the Filing Fees: In Forma Pauperis (IFP) Waiver Form (FOR ANY CASE)
• Video 8: How to File a Divorce Complaint with the Court
• Video 9: How to Prepare for Your First Court Hearing (Divorce Cases)
• Video 10: What to know Before You Start a Custody Case
• Video 11: How to Fill out a Complaint for Custody
• Video 12: How to Navigate the Online Child Support Calculator
• Video 13: What is discovery and what do I do?
• Video 14: Evidence – What Is It and How to Enter It
• Video 15: How to Fill out the Petition for Child Support and/or Paternity (Coming Soon)

• Complaint for Absolute Divorce
• Consent Answer (Absolute Divorce)
• Contested Answer and Counterclaim (Absolute Divorce)
• Reply to Counterclaim (Absolute Divorce)
• Joint Waiver of Appeal of Divorce Order/Judgment
• Joint Request for Uncontested Divorce Hearing

• Complaint for Legal Separation
• Consent Answer (Legal Separation)
• Contested Answer and Counterclaim (Legal Separation)

• Complaint for Annulment of Marriage
• Consent Answer (Annulment)
• Contested Answer and Counterclaim (Annulment)

• Attachment A (Marital Property and Marital Debt)
• Attachment B (Child Custody)
• Attachment C (Child Support)
• Motion for Temporary Alimony
• Confidential Information Form
• Motion for Temporary Exclusive Use of Marital Home

• Complaint for Custody and/or Visitation
• Complaint for Third Party Custody and/or Visitation
• Consent Answer (Complaint for Custody and/or Access to Children)
• Contested Answer (Complaint for Custody and/or Visitation and Counterclaim)
• Reply to Counterclaim (Custody and/or Access to Children)
• Motion to Modify Custody and/or Visitation
• Motion for Temporary Custody and/or Access to Children
• Third Party Motion to Modify Custody and/or Access to Children
• Motion to Intervene in Custody Case as a Third Party Custodian
• Answer Consenting to Third Party Custody Order (Revocable At Will)
• Answer Consenting to Third Party Custody Order (Modifiable Only By Agreement Or By Court Order)
• Notice of Revocation and Motion to Vacate Third Party Custody Order
• Sample Parenting Plan

• Petition to Establish Parentage and/or for Child Support
• Answer to Petition to Establish Parentage and/or for Child Support
• Motion to Intervene in Child Support Case
• Motion to Modify Child Support Order
• Motion for Contempt (Child Support Order)
• Motion for Use in a Parentage or Child Support Case
• Opposition to Motion (Parentage or Child Support Case)

• Motion for Contempt (Domestic Relations Order)
• Motion for Permission to Late File
• Motion for Review of Magistrate Judge’s Order
• Opposition to Motion (Domestic Relations Case)
• Opposition to Motion for Review of Magistrate Judge’s Order
• Motion for Services
• Motion for Use in a Domestic Relations Case
• Motion for Use in a Third Party Domestic Relations Case
• Motion to Consolidate Cases
• Request for Continuance
• Motion to Vacate Default
• Motion to Appear Remotely

• Application to Proceed Without Prepayment of Costs
• How much it will cost to file papers in your case:
  Table of Fees, Domestic Relations Branch, D.C. Superior Court

• Petition for Appointment of Standby Guardian (by Parent or Legal Custodian)
• Petition for Appointment of Standby Guardian (by Standby Guardian Designate)
• Standby Guardian Designation Form
• UPDATED – Standby Guardianship Package

• If you are serving papers by electronic means (text, email, social media, etc.), you must file a sworn written statement (affidavit) as proof of service – Affidavit of Service by Electronic Means
• If you are serving papers by certified mail, you must file a sworn written statement (affidavit) as proof of service – Affidavit of Service by Certified Mail
• If you are serving papers through an individual (such as a private process server), they must file a sworn written statement (affidavit) as proof of service – Affidavit of Service by Individual
• If you are having trouble serving the papers you can:
  • ask for more time – Motion for Extension of Time to Serve Defendant
  • ask to serve in a different way – Motion for Alternative Service
• Rule 4 Service Instructions
• Rule 5 Proof of Service Form
• If you cannot serve the papers because you cannot find the defendant: Motion to Allow Service by Publication or Posting Including Absent Defendant Locator Worksheet
• If you are seeking a default judgment because the defendant in your case never answered your initial complaint: Motion for Entry of Default Judgment and Affidavit in Compliance with SCRA

• Pro Se Guide to Evidence in DC Family Court

• Pro Se Guide to Discovery in DC Family Court
• Issuing Discovery – Introduction Page
• Issuing Discovery – Requests for Interrogatories
• Issuing Discovery – Requests for Production of Documents
• Issuing Discovery – Requests for Admissions
• Response to Interrogatory Requests
• Response to Requests for Production of Documents
• Response to Request for Admissions
• Certificate of Discovery

• Confidential Information Form