Representing Yourself

This section of the website is designed to provide you with legal information about specific legal issues you may be facing. If you must go to court, you may decide to represent yourself instead of having a lawyer. The courts call the process of representing yourself pro se. You should understand that when you come to court without a lawyer you take a risk. The court cannot act for you. Sometimes even simple matters can have legal consequences that you are not aware of or do not understand. You do not have to have a lawyer handle your legal problem, but if possible, it is best to at least get some advice about your case from a lawyer

The Alabama Access to Justice Commission website provides general legal information only. It does not provide legal advice. You should contact a lawyer if you need legal advice. The information on this website is not guaranteed to be correct, and changes are periodically added to the information.

Click on a topic at the left to find documents, forms, and other information to help you represent yourself.

Consumer
- Small Claims »
  - Consumer>Small Claims>Video
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>Get Ready for CourtGet Ready for Court
    This document will give you information about what to expect when you are going to court.
  - Consumer>Small Claims>Being Sued in Small Claims CourtBeing Sued in Small Claims Court in Alabama
    This document will give you information about what to do if you are being sued in small claims court.
  - Consumer>Small Claims>Suing in Small Claims CourtSuing in Small Claims Court in Alabama
    This document gives information about what to do if you need to sue someone in small claims court.
  - Consumer>Small Claims>Forms You May NeedForms You May Need:
  - Consumer>Small Claims>Answer to Complaint PS-19Answer to Complaint - Form PS-19
    Use this form to respond to the Complaint you received saying you were being sued. Be sure to read all instructions on this form and follow the deadlines.
  - Consumer>Small Claims>Defendant's Answer-SM-3Defendant's Answer - Form SM-3
    Use this form or Answer to Complaint Form PS-19 to respond to the Complaint you received saying you were being sued. Be sure to read the instructions at the end of the form and follow the deadlines.
  - Consumer>Small Claims>Defendant's Counterclaim-SM-6Defendant's Counterclaim - Form SM-6
    Use this form to file a counterclaim against the person suing you. Be sure to read the instructions at the end of the form and follow the deadlines.
  - Consumer>Small Claims>Subpoena Request-Form C-12Subpoena Request - Form C-12
    Use this form if you need the clerk to order a witness to come to court. For more information about bringing a witness to court see Being Sued in Small Claims Court in Alabama.
  - Consumer>Small Claims>Affidavit of Substantial Hardship-C-10AAffidavit of Substantial Hardship - Form C-10A
    Use this form if you cannot pay the filing fees required to file your forms. The judge will decide if the fees can be postponed.
  - Consumer>Small Claims>Statement of Claim-Specific Property-SM-2Statement of Claim (Complaint) for Specific Property - Form SM-2
    Use this form if you need to sue someone for specific property in small claims court. Be sure to read the instructions at the end of the form.
  - Consumer>Small Claims>Statement of Claim-General-SM-1Statement of Claim (Complaint) - General - Form SM-1
    Use this form if you need to sue someone in small claims court. Be sure to read all instructions at the end of the form.
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>Request to Continue Trial PS-18Request to Continue Trial - Form PS-18
    Use this form to ask the court for more time before trial. Be sure to read all instructions on this form.
- Bankruptcy »
  - Consumer>Bankruptcy>Bankruptcy-ASB BrochureBankruptcy - Alabama State Bar Brochure
    This brochure by the Alabama State Bar gives information on bankruptcy and the things you should consider before filing for bankruptcy.
- Debt Collection »
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>Get Ready for CourtGet Ready for Court
    This document will give you information about what to expect when you are going to court.
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>Being Sued on a Credit Card or Other DebtBeing Sued on a Credit Card or Other Debt
    This document will help you understand what to do if someone is suing you over a debt.
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>National Consumer Law CenterNational Consumer Law Center
    Browse the National Consumer Law Center's brochures on debt collection and other problems with money.
  - Forms You May Need:Forms You May Need:
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>Answer to Complaint PS-19Answer to Complaint - Form PS-19
    Use this form to respond to the Complaint you receive when you are being sued. Be sure to read all instructions on the Complaint and on this form.
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>Request to Continue Trial PS-18Request to Continue Trial - Form PS-18
    Use this form to ask the court for more time before trial. Be sure to read all instructions on this form.
- Garnishment »
  - Consumer>Garnishment>Declatation and Claim of Exemption for Wages PS-20Declaration and Claim of Exemption for Wages - Request to Protect Wages - Form PS-20
    Use this form to ask the Court to protect your paycheck if a garnishment has been filed against you, but you cannot pay for your basic living expenses and pay the judgment. This form is not for judgments related to child support, personal injury, or car accidents. Be sure to read all instructions on the form.
  - Consumer>Garnishment>Request to Stop Garnishment of Bank Account PS-13Request to Stop Garnishment of Bank Account - Form PS-13
    Use this form to request that the Court stop the garnishment of money from a bank account.
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>Request to Continue Trial PS-18Request to Continue Trial - Form PS-18
    Use this form to ask the court for more time before trial. Be sure to read all instructions on this form.
Family
- Child Custody and Visitation »
  - Family>Child Custody and Visitation>How to Ask for VisitationHow to Ask for Visitation
    This document will give you information about how to ask for visitation with your children for the first time.
  - Family>Child Custody and Visitation>How to Change a Custody or Visitation OrderHow to Change a Custody or Visitation Order
    This document gives you information about how to change a custody or visitation order that you already have.
  - Forms You May Need:Forms You May Need:
  - Family>Child Custody and Visitation>Petition for Visitation PS-06Petition for Visitation - Form PS-06
    Use this form to ask for visitation for the first time. Be sure to read all instructions on the form and on How to Ask for Visitation.
  - Family>Child Custody and Visitation>First Petition for Child Custody PS-05First Petition for Child Custody - Form PS-05
    Use this form to ask for a child custody order only if this is the first custody order for these children. Be sure to read all instructions on this form.
  - Family>Child Custody and Visitation>Request to Change Current Custody or Visitation Order PS-07Request to Change Current Custody or Visitation Order - Form PS-07
    Use this form to change your current custody order or visitation order. Be sure to read all instructions on the form and on How to Change a Custody or Visitation Order.
  - Family>Child Custody and Visitation>Child Support Information CS-47Child Support Obligation Income Statement Affidavit - Form CS-41 Fill out this form with the Request to Change Custody or Visitation Form PS-07. Be sure to read all instructions on the form and on How to Change a Custody or Visitation Order.
  - Family>Child Custody and Visitation>Request for Contempt Hearing PS-03Request for Contempt Hearing - Form PS-03
    Use this form to ask for a hearing if the other parent has disobeyed an order having to do with visitation or other order related to the children. Be sure to read all instructions on the form.
  - Family>Child Custody and Visitiation>Affidavit of Substantial Hardship C-10AAffidavit of Substantial Hardship - Form C-10A
    Use this form if you cannot pay the filing fees required to file your forms. The judge will decide if the fees can be postponed.
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>Request to Continue Trial PS-18Request to Continue Trial - Form PS-18
    Use this form to ask the court for more time before trial. Be sure to read all instructions on this form.
- Paternity »
  - Family>Paternity>Who is the legal father?Who is the legal father?
    This document gives information about asking the Court to determine the legal father of a child.
  - Family>Paternity>Petition to Establish Paternity PS-04Petition to Establish Paternity - Form PS-04
    Use this form to ask the Court to establish paternity of a child. Be sure to read all instructions on this form and on Who is the legal father?
  - Family>Paternity>Affidavit of Substantial Hardship C-10AAffidavit of Substantial Hardship - Form C-10A
    Use this form if you cannot pay the filing fees required to file your forms. The judge will decide if the fees can be postponed.
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>Request to Continue Trial PS-18Request to Continue Trial - Form PS-18
    Use this form to ask the court for more time before trial. Be sure to read all instructions on this form.
- Guardianship »
  - Family>Guardianship>Request to be Guardian of an Intellectually Disabled Adult PS-11Request to be Guardian of an Intellectually Disabled Adult Relative - Form PS-11
    Parents and brothers and sisters who are caring for an intellectually disabled relative in their home may use this form to ask the Court to be appointed guardian so they may continue to care for their relative.
  - Family>Guardianship>Notice of Possible Incompetency PS-17Notice of Possible Incompetency - Form PS-17
    This form serves as a notice to the Court that a person is possibly incompetent.
  - Family>Guardianship>Request to Send a Child/Minor to the Department of Mental Health PS-14Request to Send a Child/Minor to the Department of Mental Health - Form PS-14
    Use this form to ask the Court to send a person under 19 to the Department of Mental Health.
  - Family>Guardianship>Request to Be Considered an Adult PS-16Request to Be Considered an Adult - Form PS-16
    Use this form to ask the court to declare an 18-year old an adult.
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>Request to Continue Trial PS-18Request to Continue Trial - Form PS-18
    Use this form to ask the court for more time before trial. Be sure to read all instructions on this form.
- Name Change »
  - Family>Name Change>Request to Change Name PS-12Request to Change Name - Form PS-12
    Use this form to change your name. Be sure to read all instructions of the form and bring all required attachments listed on the form.
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>Request to Continue Trial PS-18Request to Continue Trial - Form PS-18
    Use this form to ask the court for more time before trial. Be sure to read all instructions on this form.
- Divorce »
  - Family>Divorce>Legal Aspects of Divorce ASB BrochureLegal Aspects of Divorce - Alabama State Bar Brochure
    This brochure will explains divorce in Alabama. It may help you understand what questions to ask and things you should consider if you plan to file for divorce.
  - Forms You May Need:Forms You May Need:
  - Family>Divorce>Divorce Complaint PS-08DivorceComplaint - Form PS-08 Use this form to file for divorce when there are no minor children, no assets, no debts, and you have already divided the personal property.
  - Family>Divorce>Answer to Divorce Complaint PS-21Answer to Divorce Complaint - Form PS-21
    This form can be used to answer the Divorce Complaint your spouse filed against you. Be sure to read all instructions on the forms and follow the deadlines.
  - Family>Divorce>Plaintiffs Testimony Divorce PS-9Plaintiffs Testimony Divorce - Form PS-09 This form can be used as the Plaintiff's testimony if you are filing for divorce when there are no minor children, no assets, and no debts for the Court to divide. Be sure to read all instructions on the form.
  - Family>Divorce>Request for Divorce Judgment by Default PS-10Request for Divorce Judgment by Default - Form PS-10
    Use this form to request a divorce judgment by default when you are the Plaintiff and your spouse has not filed an answer to your Divorce Complaint by the deadline or did not show up in court.
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>Request to Continue Trial PS-18Request to Continue Trial - Form PS-18
    Use this form to ask the court for more time before trial. Be sure to read all instructions on this form.
- Child Support »
  - Family>Child Support>How to Change a Child Support OrderHow to Change a Child Support Order
    This document gives you information about how to change your current child support order.
  - Forms You May Need:Forms You May Need:
  - Family>Child Support>Request to Change Child Support PS-02Request to Change Child Support - Form PS-02
    Use this form to request changes to your current child support order. Be sure to read all instructions on the form and on How to Change a Child Support Order.
  - Family>Child Support>Child Support Obligation Income Statement Affidavit CS-41Child Support Obligation Income Statement Affidavit - Form CS-41
    This form is required if you are filing a Request to Change Child Support - Form PS-02.
  - Family>Child Support>Request for Contempt Hearing PS-03Request for Contempt Hearing - Form PS-03
    Use this form to ask for a hearing if the other parent has disobeyed a child support order or other order related to the children. Be sure to read all instructions on the form.
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>Request to Continue Trial PS-18Request to Continue Trial - Form PS-18
    Use this form to ask the court for more time before trial. Be sure to read all instructions on this form.
Housing
- Eviction »
  - Housing>Eviction>Answer to Landlords Claim PS-01Answer to Landlords Claim - Form PS-01
    Use this form to answer the Statement of Claim you were served saying your landlord is trying to evict you. Be sure to read all instructions on the form. Once you receive the Statement of Claim, you must act quickly because the deadline is 7 days after the date you were served the Statement of Claim.
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>Request to Continue Trial PS-18Request to Continue Trial - Form PS-18
    Use this form to ask the court for more time before trial. Be sure to read all instructions on this form.
  - Housing>Eviction>Statement of ClaimStatement of Claim Eviction, Unlawful Detainer - Form C-59
- Foreclosure »
  - Housing>Foreclosure>Worried About Foreclosure?Worried About Foreclosure? - Alabama Sate Bar Brochure
    This brochure by the Alabama State Bar gives you information about what to do if you are facing foreclosure.
  - Consumer>Debt Collection>Request to Continue Trial PS-18Request to Continue Trial - Form PS-18
    Use this form to ask the court for more time before trial. Be sure to read all instructions on this form.