No money? Free and low-cost options

Handling this yourself already saves you thousands. If money is tight, use these:

• Fee waivers. If you can't afford the court's filing fee, ask the clerk for a fee-waiver (in forma pauperis) form. If you qualify, the court waives it.
• Court self-help centers. Most courts have a free self-help center or family-law facilitator who can walk you through forms and steps. They can't be your lawyer, but they help a lot.
• Legal aid. Nonprofit legal-aid offices offer free help to people under an income limit (often around 125% of the federal poverty line). Find yours at LawHelp.org.
• Law libraries. County law libraries are free and have staff who can point you to the right resources.
• Lawyer referral services. Every state bar runs one, and many offer a low-cost initial consultation (often $25–$50) if you want a professional's eyes on one specific question.

CaseForward's free tier is genuinely free — use the calculators, checklists, and state information for as long as you need, with no account required.