The Family Law Court Program

Please note:  you do not need to be a family law paralegal to volunteer for this program!  There is a real need for Spanish-speaking paralegals right now, especially for Denver County.  HOWEVER, attendance at a training program is required prior to volunteering.

THE NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS ARE FEBRUARY 2ND AND FEBRUARY 6TH.
CLICK ON TRAINING DATES AND LOCATIONS IN THE ADDITIONAL INFO BOX
ON THE RIGHT!

The Family Law Court Program ("FLC Program") at Metro Volunteer Lawyers ("MVL") helps low-income clients with simple, UNCONTESTED dissolution of marriage (divorce) and allocation of parental responsibility (custody) cases.  The program operates in 4 jurisdictions every month:

• Denver County
• Jefferson County
• Adams County
• Arapahoe County

On the scheduled day, MVL is at the courthouse the entire day (except in Denver where First and Second Meetings are held at the MVL office) from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, holding "First Meetings," "Second Meetings," and "Third Meetings/Permanent Orders Hearings."  The FLC Program staff and volunteers meet with clients on three occasions:

First and Second Meetings
Once a month in each jurisdiction

• Denver:  3rd Tuesday of the month
  Client Appointment Time:  In the morning and the afternoon
  Location:  MVL Offices, 1905 Sherman St., 6th Floor Conference room
  Volunteer time:  4 hours or 8 hours
• Jefferson:  2nd Friday of the month
  Client Appointment Time:  1:00 pm and 2:30 pm
  Location:  Jefferson County Courthouse, 1st Floor, Jury Assembly Room
  Volunteer time:  4 hours
• Arapahoe:  4th Friday of the month
  Client Appointment Time:  1:00 pm and 2:30 pm
  Location:  Arapahoe District Courthouse, 4th Floor, Jury Room 404B
  Volunteer time:  4 hours
• Adams:  3rd Thursday of the month
  Client Appointment Time:  9:00 am and 10:30 am
  Location:  Adams District Courthouse, 5th Floor, Meeting room[s] outside Courtroom 502
  Volunteer time:  4 hours

First Meetings:  Clients are scheduled to meet with MVL staff and volunteers who guide them through the documents needed to file the case, and to answer any legal questions.  The documents include a Statement of Understanding, a Motion to Waive Filing Fees, Summons and Petition for Dissolution of Marriage or Custody, and a service of process questionnaire.  The documents are not difficult to fill out; many are fill-in-the-blank.  But they do require an attention to detail which can be difficult for some clients.  This is where a paralegal can be very helpful – sitting with a client to answer basic questions about the documents.  MVL staff then files the case and arranges for service of process on the other party (the respondent).

Second Meetings:  After the respondent has been served, clients are scheduled for a second meeting.  Here MVL staff and volunteers will help them complete a Financial Affidavit.

Third Meetings/Permanent Orders
Once a month in Denver, Arapahoe, and Adams
May, July, September and November ONLY in Jefferson County

• Denver:  4th Tuesday of the month
  Client Appointment Time:  9:00 am
  Location:  Denver City and County Building, Basement, Grand Jury Room 9H
  Volunteer time:  4 hours
• Jefferson:  2nd Friday of the month May, July, September and November ONLY
  Client Appointment Time:  9:00 am
  Location:  Jefferson County Courthouse, 1st Floor, Jury Assembly Room
  Volunteer time:  4 hours
• Arapahoe:  4th Friday of the month
  Client Appointment Time:  9:00 am
  Location:  Arapahoe District Courthouse, 4th Floor, Jury Room 404B
  Volunteer time:  4 hours
• Adams:  3rd Thursday of the month
  Client Appointment Time:  1:00 pm
  Location:  Adams District Courthouse, 5th Floor, Meeting room[s] outside Courtroom 502
  Volunteer time:  4 hours

Third Meetings/Permanent Orders:  Clients are paired with a volunteer attorney (and a paralegal or student, if available) who will represent them in court for that day only.  The volunteers will meet with the client )and respondent, if they appear), possibly negotiate an agreement between the parties, and complete the Decree for Dissolution of Marriage, Permanent Orders or a Separation Agreement, which includes custory and parenting time determinations, and a Support Order, if necessary.

If you are able to assist with just one meeting, it would be a huge help!  If you are interested in volunteering but can't attend one of the training sessions on the calendar, or no training sessions are currently scheduled, please contact Anna Paschke or Dianne Van Voorhees at (303) 830-8210.