Eighth Judicial District opening self-help center for non-criminal cases

The Eighth Judicial District announced Nov. 27 the opening of a new resource center at the Larimer County Justice Center to assist self-represented litigants in non-criminal court proceedings. People representing themselves will be able to meet with a Self-Represented Litigant Coordinator for assistance with their case and obtain other information and resources at the center. The Self-Help Center is scheduled to formally open on December 4.

Located immediately adjacent to the Clerk’s Office on the first floor in the Larimer County Justice Center, 201 LaPorte Ave. in Fort Collins, the Self-Help Center is designed to help people better understand court processes and obtain forms needed in non-criminal cases, such as divorce and family matters, child support, money claims, evictions, temporary or permanent restraining orders, probate, guardianships or small claims disputes. The Self-Help Center also will have computer access for research and preparation of documents.

The Self-Help Center is part of a broader program the Colorado Judicial Branch created to help the public and the courts address the ever increasing number of cases in which parties are not represented by attorneys. The Self-Represented Litigant Coordinator cannot provide legal advice, but will be able to help self-represented parties by answering general questions, providing information about local procedures, other resources, and assisting them with use of the computers and filling out forms.

The Self-Help Center will be open Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m., and Thursday by appointment.

For additional information contact Self-Represented Litigant Coordinator Jackie Marro at [email protected] or 970-494-3581.