Pro Se Family Law Pleadings for Individuals Without Lawyers for Use in D.C. Family Court

Table of Contents

• Annulment, Divorce, and Separation
• Custody
• Paternity and Child Support
• Request to Have Court Fees Waived
• Standby Guardianship Package
• Service of Process

Annulment, Divorce, and Separation

• Divorce

  • 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

• Legal Separation

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

• Annulment

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

• Attachments for Divorce, Legal Separation, and Annulment Pleadings

  • Attachment A (Marital Property and Marital Debt)
  • Attachment B (Child Custody)
  • Attachment C (Child Support)
  • Motion for Temporary Alimony
  • Cross Reference Intake Form

• Motions

  • Motion for Use in a Domestic Relations Case
  • Opposition to Motion (Domestic Relations Case)

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Custody

• Complaint for Custody and/or Visitation
• Consent Answer (Complaint for Custody and/or Visitation)
• Contested Answer (Complaint for Custody and/or Visitation)
• Reply to Counterclaim (Custody and/or Visitation)
• Motion to Modify Custody and/or Visitation
• Motion for Temporary Custody and/or Access to Children
• Sample Parenting Plan
• Motion for Use in a Domestic Relations Case
• Opposition to Motion (Domestic Relations Case)
• 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

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Paternity and Child Support

• Petition to Establish Paternity and/or for Child Support
• Answer to Petition to Establish Paternity 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 Paternity or Child Support Case
• Opposition to Motion (Paternity or Child Support Case)

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Motions

• Motion for Contempt (Domestic Relations Order)
• Motion for Permission to Late File
• Motion for Review of Magistrate Judge's Order
• Opposition to Motion for Review of Magistrate Judge's Order
• Motion for Services
• Motion to Consolidate Cases
• Request for Continuance

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Request to Have Court Fees Waived

• Application to Proceed Without Prepayment of Costs or Fees
• Click here to find out how much it will cost to file papers in your case.

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Standby Guardianship Package

• 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

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Service of Process

• 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 by private process server, the process server must file a sworn written statement (affidavit) as proof of service:  Affidavit of Service by Private Process Server
• If you wish to serve papers on someone in the military, but do not know where they are located:  Sample Letters to Locate Someone Who May Be in the Military
• 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:  Affidavit in Support of Default and Compliance With Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

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