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America Family Law Center FAQs

Below is a list of questions and answers to address topics or questions people may have about America Family Law Center. This list is not all-inclusive, but it is a good start to getting a fundamental understanding of the organization. If you have additional questions, please contact the organization for further information.

What is America Family Law Center’s mission?

America Family Law Center strives to enhance the lives of children and families through education, assistance, and access to justice.  For more information, see our Mission Page.

Is America Family Law Center a nonprofit?

Yes. America Family Law Center is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization.  For more information, see the Mission Page.

What does America Family Law Center do?

America Family Law Center provides various services to help families resolve family-related situations. Some are social services, while others involve legal services. Call for more information or see the Services Page.

What is Pro Se?

Pro Se is a term typically used by the courts to identify someone who is representing himself/herself. Being Pro Se does not mean you cannot work with an attorney to get sound legal advice about your situation or case. Self-represented is another term that typically means the same thing as Pro Se. Consult with an attorney to get legal advice for your specific case or situation.

Why does America Family Law Center exist?

Many people with family law situations and family law legal matters cannot find resources to help them, cannot afford to hire a traditional attorney, and do not receive free legal aid – America Family Law Center strives to help these people. America Family Law Center provides both nonlegal-related services and legal-related services. For clients who need help with a legal matter, America Family Law Center has attorneys who can provide legal guidance and advice so these clients can better understand their rights, what they may and may not do, and navigate their legal matter to a better resolution. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

What services does America Family Law Center provide?

America Family Law Center provides an array of social-type services as well as legal-type services. The organization recognizes that some family situations do not require legal intervention or legal assistance, while other situations do. America Family Law Center has attorneys who assist its clients when their situation requires legal advice or guidance. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

In a nutshell, America Family Law Center helps pro-se litigants be better pro-se litigants. If you can afford a traditional attorney to represent you – great. If you get an attorney to take your case pro-bono or get free legal aid – great. Then there is everyone else, people the organization refers to as those in the justice gap. When a person represents themself in a family law-related legal matter as a Pro-Se or self-represented litigant, America Family Law Center and its attorneys can work with them to basically make them a better pro-se litigant. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Does America Family Law Center follow ABA rules or guidance?

When America Family Law Center was founded, it was modeled using the same guiding principles that are fundamental to the American Bar Association (ABA) Standard for the Provision of Civil Legal Aid. America Family Law Center tracks closely with the ABA on limited-scope representation (see ABA Standard 3.4), legal advice (see ABA Standard 3.4-1 & 3.4-2), and assistance to pro-se or self-represented litigants (see ABA Standard 3.5) in family law matters and incorporates this with the effective use of technology (see ABA Standard 2.10). Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Does America Family Law Center provide free services?

Yes, several free services are available to the public and other services are available for a fee. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Since America Family Law Center is a nonprofit, does that mean its services are free?

It is a common misconception that all services provided by a nonprofit are free.  America Family Law Center, offers both free services and services that may require a fee. All public colleges and universities are nonprofit, but they are not free. The National Football League (NFL) is a nonprofit, but we don’t get to attend football games for free. A church may have a fee for some programs, such as the missionary program, while another program, such as the Praying for the Sick and Elderly program, is free. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Does America Family Law Center charge a fee?

Sometimes. America Family Law Center strives to provide as many services as possible free to the public.  Other services are part of our Client Services Program, for which there is often a small fee for most people.  For more information, please contact us to discuss your particular situation or see the Services Page.

How do people find their way to contact America Family Law Center?

People find America Family Law Center primarily through referrals, online, and flyers. Many people are referred to America Family Law Center by family or friends who have used the service or are familiar with the organization. America Family Law Center has many former happy clients. In addition, people may find the organization online or by picking up a flyer from any of many locations.

Why does America Family Law Center have various programs?

Like many nonprofit organizations, America Family Law Center has various programs that often focus on different needs, interests or segments of the community. Some churches, for example, often have various programs (for youth, for new members, for single parents, for missionaries, etc.). Much about how programs operate and engage with the community has changed since COVID. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Why does America Family Law Center list phone numbers at different locations?

America Family Law Center has been around for a long time and strives to help people as much as possible. As such, it has local phone numbers at various locations to help people avoid long-distance charges. None of the organization’s locations are open to the public.

Can I come into America Family Law Center’s office?

No. Since COVID, America Family Law Center’s offices have not been open to the public. The organization performs all communications and provides all services online, by phone, or by text messaging.

Will I have to approve or sign any documents before becoming a client of America Family Law Center?

Yes. As part of America Family Law Center’s intake and enrollment process, every applicant must approve and electronically sign various documents containing terms of service, understanding of services, and other items before they are allowed to enroll as a client. America Family Law Center strives to be sure that every applicant understands what the organization’s services do and do not include. America Family Law Center’s online enrollment process will not allow an applicant to enroll as a client without going through the required enrollment process. A client’s documents will be available in a secure portal, similar to accessing documents on many district clerk websites. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Legal advice from an attorney: yes. Unlimited attorney consultations: yes. Assistance from staff: yes. Online access to administrative documents: yes. Maintain control of your case: yes. Draft legal documents: no. Attorney representation: no. An attorney going to court: no. Service of process: no. Filing legal documents: no. Services may not be available until all fees are paid and will terminate upon termination of your client status. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Does America Family Law Center go to court with people?

No. America Family Law Center does not go to court with people or represent people in court or legal matters. America Family Law Center will not be your attorney of record. America Family Law Center’s clients will typically remain Pro Se or self-represented unless they choose to hire a lawyer outside of America Family Law Center. For more information, see the Services Page.

How does America Family Law Center communicate with applicants and clients?

America Family Law Center communicates with applicants and clients by phone, text messaging, and online. Since COVID, the organization no longer provides for in-person communications with applicants or clients.

Although online reviews are intended to be helpful, you must remember that reviews of judges, attorneys, or service organizations are often heavily influenced by each person’s individual situation.  Sometimes, people badmouth a judge, attorney, or service simply because they didn’t get what they wanted.  Sometimes, people might not get what they want due to their own fault but try to blame others by posting negative reviews rather than being accountable themselves. It is not uncommon for judges, attorneys, and legal organizations to have a mixed bag when it comes to reviews.  The most significant indicator of the service is going to be your personal experience.  Were they helpful?  Did they seem knowledgeable?  Did I do my part? It is your case, so you should make your own evaluation based on your needs.

In what areas of the United States does America Family Law Center provide services?

America Family Law Center has clients in all 50 states. If you have a legal case in a state for which America Family Law Center does not have an attorney, the organization may not be able to provide you with legal assistance for that legal case. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Do I have to live near America Family Law Center to get services?

No. Our online and technology-based services allow us to help clients regardless of where they live. For more information, see the Services Page.

Will my family situation result in a court case?

Not necessarily. America Family Law Centers strives to help people resolve their family law situations without court intervention and is often successful at this. Many of the situations that America Family Law Center assists with are resolved without court involvement or a contested hearing, and many may not require an attorney’s involvement or legal services. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

No. Process of Servcies requires a certified process server and that is not a service that America Family Law Center provides. See here for Process Server Certification and here for the National Association of Professional Process Servers listed by city in Texas.

How many times am I allowed to consult with an attorney at America Family Law Center?

Unlimited – as a client in good standing and subject to availability. As a client under the Client Services Program Plan, there is no limit to the number of times you may consult with an attorney at America Family Law Center. All attorney consultations are subject to availability – an attorney may not be available to call you at the precise time you desire. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Do you help Spanish-speaking people?

Yes. America Family Law Center has bilingual staff.  The organization’s text messaging and online tools are multi-lingual. Written administrative documents are often in both English and Spanish.

Does immigration status matter with regard to being a client of America Family Law Center?

No. Immigration status is not a consideration as to whether or not America Family Law Center will be able to help you. Consult with an attorney for advice on your specific situation.

Can America Family Law Center refer me to an attorney who can represent me in a court case?

If you need or request an attorney to represent you, America Family Law Center can provide you with resources that can help you, depending on your situation and what you want. America Family Law Center does not represent people in court.

What is expected of me to be a client of America Family Law Center?

Many things are expected of a client of America Family Law Center, and this is reviewed during the intake process. America Family Law Center reserves the right to decline any applicant if the organization determines that the applicant is not a good fit for its service model. The client’s willingness to work to resolve their situation and follow the direction and advice of the attorneys and staff at America Family Law Center is almost always vital to a satisfactory outcome. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Only attorneys can give legal advice. Other staff may assist you with various nonlegal services, but only the attorneys can provide you with legal advice.

Do I get a Pro Bono attorney?

No, not from the America Family Law Center. The term “pro bono attorney” is often a myth or misused. Sometimes, an attorney may take a case at no charge or pro bono. Staff attorneys at the America Family Law Center do not take cases pro bono. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Does America Family Law Center have a staff attorney to work with its clients?

Yes. Some clients may need legal assistance, while others may not. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Do I need to have a copy of my court papers?

Probably. If you have an existing case, the attorney will almost certainly want to review your court papers. Regardless, it is always a good idea to have a copy for your own reference. America Family Law Center is not responsible for gathering your court papers for you. Consult with an attorney to learn what your particular case or situation requires.

How do I get a copy of a prior court order?

In most situations, an opposing party or the court should have provided you with a copy. If you need a copy, go online or to the District Clerk’s Office in the county of your case, typically at the courthouse, and ask the clerk’s office personnel for assistance.

Will the America Family Law Center help me if I have more than one case?

Yes. Remember, America Family Law Center’s services are centered around helping people with family law-related situations, not litigating cases. If you have multiple cases involving family law matters, America Family Law Center will assist you with them.

Yes. Remember, America Family Law Center’s services are centered around helping people with family law-related situations, not litigating cases. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Maybe. An attorney can advise you whether or not you will need legal documents.

No. America Family Law Center does not draft legal documents for its clients. However, the organization can provide you with referrals to resources that may draft legal documents for you or resources to forms that you may consider using.

You have many options available for legal documents. America Family Law Center can refer you to resources for legal documents. Such resources may include a law firm, law library, or online forms. If you use online forms, it is always advised that you have them reviewed by an attorney. America Family Law Center can help. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Can I provide copies of my documents to America Family Law Center?

Yes. America Family Law Center clients can upload documents through a file upload portal, similar to how the e-file system works for Texas courts. Clients receive assistance and instructions with this as part of their onboarding process. Documents an applicant provides will be available in a secure portal, like accessing documents on many district clerk websites. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Will America Family Law Center review and assist me with forms?

Yes, the attorneys at America Family Law Center can assist clients with questions regarding family law-related legal forms. The attorneys may recommend legal forms or may help with questions completing legal forms. Call for more information, or see the Services Page.

Will I need to have the other party served?

That question is to be answered by an attorney and may vary from case to case.

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