Volunteer Opportunities Carol Bros –Volunteer Attorney Program Supervisor

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services SMRLS provides free, high-quality legal help to low-income people in critical civil matters. For more than 100 years, we’ve helped individuals and families secure and protect their basic needs, maintaining freedom from hunger, homelessness, sickness and abuse.

Service Area Five counties in Metro area Carver, Dakota, Ramsey, Scott and Washington 28 counties of southern Minnesota Offices in St. Paul, Albert Lea, Mankato, Moorhead, Rochester, Shakopee, Winona and Worthington

Need for Free Legal Services 2900 Number of eligible clients for each paid legal services staff attorney in Minnesota

Divorce Process One spouse files for divorce “No Fault” Other spouse must be served – notice case has started In person – by company, sheriff, acquaintance By mail By publication

Divorce Process Has 30 days to respond If agrees with terms, can sign and file with court If disagrees with terms, can file with court requesting changes If does not respond, court will give them more time Default judgment If minor children, required parenting classes Varies by county

Divorce Process Courts want couples to work out issues Custody Physical Custody – where child lives Legal Custody – who makes decisions on behalf of child Visitation Child Support Spousal Maintenance Real Estate Retirement Accounts QDRO – Qualified Domestic Relations Order Court allocates accounts Separate court filing

Information – lawhelpmn.org

Information – mncourts.gov

Do It Yourself – Online Forms

Do It Yourself -- Court Self Help Centers Answer Questions Help fill out forms No legal advice State 651-435-6535 Anoka Chisago Hennepin Isanti Kanabec Pine Ramsey Sherburne Washington Wright

Find an Attorney Includes any legal issue – not just divorce MN State Bar Association www.mnbar.org/member-directory/find-a-lawyer Search by county, legal issue, if offer a free consultation Hennepin County Bar Association hcba.org/?page=LawyerReferralHome 612-752-6666 Ramsey County Bar Association ramseybar.org/find-a-lawyer/ 651-224-1775 Includes Modest Means Panel

Free Legal Help Advice Brief Services Full Representation Fill out forms Full Representation Represent just like a retained attorney

Legal Advice -- Minnesota Advice Online -- mnlegaladvice.org

Find Help – lawhelpmn.org

Apply Online – justice4mn.org

SMRLS Staff Attorneys handle full representation cases Focus is protecting children Volunteer Attorneys take full representation cases Uncontested Divorce Clinic

Volunteer For more information: Carol Bros 651-222-5863 carol.bros@smrls.org