| Topic Links |
Helpline Hours & Phone Number | Español | 
Domestic Violence,
Stalking or Sexual Assault
Laws, Rules, Regulations & Supreme Court Opinions
| What is the Family Law Self-Help Center? |
The Family Law Self-Help Center is a statewide service provided by the Alaska Court System to help people represent themselves in family law cases. The Center explains court procedures and which forms are options in different situations. This information helps people to resolve their family law disputes in court and move their cases along faster.
The Center currently provides information about Divorce, Dissolution, Custody, Paternity, Child Support, Domestic Violence, and referral information about Adoption, Annulment, Change of Name, Emancipation, Grandparent Rights, Legal Separation, Powers of Attorney & Health Care Directives, and Guardianship/Conservatorship.
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READ THIS IF YOU HAVE KIDS!
The custody and visitation law has changed in family cases with any domestic violence between the parents. Under the new law, the parent who committed the domestic violence may not get custody or visitation. However, the parent may get some custody or visitation if he or she meets specific legal requirements. If there is any history of domestic violence in your relationship, you should talk with a lawyer about how this law will impact your case. For more information, please read our FAQs on How Domestic Violence Can Impact Custody Decisions. You can also read the text of the new law on our website. As is the case with any new law, there are likely to be aspects that are open to interpretation. For this reason, you are strongly urged to talk with an attorney if you have any questions. This law went into effect of July 1, 2004 and applies to divorce, dissolution, and custody cases. |
| Who can use the Family Law Self-Help Center? |
All people seeking information about Alaska family law who are NOT represented by a lawyer.
An Important CautionThe Self-Help Center does not provide legal advice or represent you in court. You are responsible for your own case. The Center is staffed by skilled neutral people who provide valuable legal information and educational materials as a public service. There is no attorney-client relationship between you and the staff. The Center does not take the place of an attorney, and cannot advise you on strategy or tell you what to say in court. You are strongly encouraged to seek the services of a private attorney for legal advice and strategy. Your communications with the staff are not confidential and the staff is available to help both parties. The Center personnel are not acting on behalf of the court or
any judge. The judge in your case may require you to change a
form or to submit a different one. The judge is not required to
grant your request. |
| How do I get help from the Family Law Self-Help Center? |
The Center provides services in 2 ways:
- this website which includes detailed information and forms for each stage of the case
- a statewide toll-free telephone Helpline which is staffed by highly trained court employees who can speak to you about your case. The Helpline is very busy. We encourage you to read the information on this website before calling - the answer to your question may be easier to find than you think. If you decide to call for help with filling out a form, be sure to print it out and have all of your other paperwork handy.
| Telephone Helpline Hours: | |
| Monday - Thursday: | 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
Statewide Telephone Helpline Number:
(907) 264-0851
Or, if you need a free call:
(866) 279-0851 (In Alaska, but outside the Municipality of Anchorage)
| What happens when I call? |
When you call, staff will describe what we can and cannot do. Then, we will ask you some basic questions to better understand what is going on in your case. This will help us give you appropriate information about forms and procedures to help you handle your case. The staff will also give you referral information to other legal and non-legal resources that might be helpful. Staff will provide follow-up assistance as appropriate.
