A collaboration designed to offer affordable legal services to the public
Self Help Center
Self-Help Center attorney appointments are available in-person at our three (3) Self Help Center locations. Upon request, telephonic appointments are available for your convenience.
The Clerk's Legal Self Help Centers provide affordable legal assistance with court forms and documents to people who do NOT have a private attorney.
Services Available:
If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. To request such an accommodation please contact the Office of Human Rights, by written or oral request, within seven days of the date but at least three (3) business days prior to the date the service is needed, at: 400 South Fort Harrison Avenue, Suite 500, Clearwater, Florida 33756, Phone: (727) 464-4880, TDD: (727) 464-4062; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711.
Clearwater Courthouse Wednesday and Friday appointments. 315 Court St., Room 114 Clearwater, FL 33756
St. Petersburg Judicial Building Monday, Wednesday and Thursday attorney appointments. 545 First Ave. N., Room 103 St. Petersburg, FL 33701
North County Customer Information & Service Center Tuesday attorney appointments only. 3165 McMullen Booth Rd. Fessler Center Building B Clearwater, FL 33761
Self Help Center services are available to all persons who are or will be parties to a Family Law case, a Residential Landlord/Tenant case (Non-Payment Rent only), or a Small Claims case (Not for injunctions, criminal, traffic, expungement, guardianship, probate, real property, foreclosures, commercial landlord/tenant, civil claims over $8,000, appeals, bankruptcy, federal case, etc.) and are not already represented by an attorney.
The information that you give to and receive from Self Help Center personnel is NOT confidential and may be subject to disclosure at a later date. If another person involved in your case seeks assistance from this center, that person will be given the same type of assistance you receive.
Consulting with the Self Help attorney is limited to assistance with court-approved forms and procedural information. Meeting with a self help attorney is not intended to establish an attorney-client relationship. If more detailed legal assistance is required, it is best to consult with your own attorney.
Attorney appointments may only be scheduled for a minimum of 15 minutes to a maximum of one hour. All appointments must be scheduled in 15-minute increments, i.e., 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes at a rate of $1 (one dollar) per minute. Therefore payments will be $15, $30, $45 or $60 accordingly.
Attorney consultation fees must be paid at the time the appointment is scheduled. When making appointments online, you will need to pay by credit card. If you need to pay for an appointment by cash, check or money order, you will need to come into one of our offices to schedule your appointment. Refunds will not be issued for cancelled or missed appointments. Appointment times may not be changed once set.
To get started, select an appointment location from the Schedule an Appointment tab, above.
If you have any questions, please call our Clearwater office at (727) 464-5150 or our St. Petersburg office at (727) 582-7941.
Located at: 315 Court St., Room 114, Clearwater, FL 33756
Attorney does not represent litigants in court. Wednesday and Friday attorney appointments. Phone: (727) 464-5150
Located at: St. Petersburg Judicial Building 545 First Ave. N., Room 103, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Attorney does not represent litigants in court. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday attorney appointments. Phone: (727) 582-7941
Located at: 3165 McMullen Booth Rd. Fessler Center Building B Clearwater, FL 33761
Attorney does not represent litigants in court. Tuesday attorney appointments. Phone: (727) 464-5150
The price listed on the cover of the following packets corresponds to the cost of paper copies, which are available at each Self Help Center location. There is no cost to you if you wish to download any forms from this site. Please note, not all forms may be necessary for every type of action. Instructions are provided.
Use the Schedule an Appointment tab above to schedule an attorney appointment. During your appointment, the attorney will provide you with procedural advice and assist in filling out civil court forms. Appointments are made in 15-minute increments at a rate of $15.00 each, and may be scheduled up to 60 minutes for $60.00.
To purchase paper copies of any of the packets below, call (727) 464-5150.
"Pro se" means "for oneself" or, "on one's own behalf", as in pursuing legal proceedings without an attorney.
For a quick referral guide on the legal areas the Clerk’s Office may statutorily assist with, please click here.
No. The attorneys will only assist with the Florida Bar pro se forms and aid in the understanding of the overall legal process. They will assist with any pleadings the person has received. They cannot represent people in Court.
There are three ways to schedule an appointment. Schedule an appointment online Call a location - Clearwater/North County (727) 464-5150 or St. Petersburg (727) 582-7941 Visit the Clearwater, St. Petersburg or North County Self Help Center in person Payment in full is required in order to make an appointment. Refunds will not be issued for canceled or missed appointments.
There are three ways to schedule an appointment.
Payment in full is required in order to make an appointment. Refunds will not be issued for canceled or missed appointments.
It is not necessary, but we highly recommend it. We understand that some issues require immediate action and we will try to accommodate walk-ins. However, the appointment calendar can fill very quickly. It will save you time if you make an appointment in advance.
There are several free legal assistance programs in Pinellas County that you may use if you meet the eligibility requirements. For information about these programs, Pinellas County residents may visit the Bay Area Legal Services website www.bals.org or call 1-800-625-2257.
Yes. All forms/packets are available for sale at a reasonable price. You may also download them at no cost from this site. A complete list of forms and packets may be found by clicking here.
Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity.
