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Hennepin County Self-Help Center

Mandatory Forms Screen for Family Court Cases

Your forms MUST be reviewed by Self-Help Center staff if:
  • Your case is filed in Hennepin County Family Court; and
  • You are not represented by an attorney.
EXCEPTION: A review is not required for child support motions where the County Child Support Office is involved in the case.  These are called Expedited Process or “Ex Pro” cases.  A review is also not required for forms to start a divorce.
  • Your forms must be reviewed before a hearing date will be scheduled in your case.
  • The review process is to ensure that you are using the correct forms. 
  • The review process does not mean that the judge or referee will automatically grant your requests. The case will be decided based on the law, the evidence, and the legal arguments of all of the parties involved in the case.
How do I get my forms reviewed? 
Steps to get your court forms reviewed:
  • Get the paperwork that you plan to file with the court and fill it out to the best of your ability.
    • If you have questions as you are filling out the forms, write them down and they will be answered during the review, or you can call the Family Court Self-Help Center at (651) 478-8757, option 1 Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
  • Get a copy of the latest court orders on your case, including any court orders that you want to change or enforce.
  • If you are responding to forms served on you, make sure you have all the forms you received from the other party.
For an in-person review, come to the Family Justice Center, 110 S 4th St, Minneapolis, MN 55401. We do in-person reviews on a walk-in basis, Monday through Friday, 8 to 11 a.m. and 1:30 to 3 p.m., or until full. For a remote review, scan and email your forms to 4thshcweb@courts.state.mn.us. The remote review process may take up to a week.

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Self-Help Centers

A Self-Help Center is a place where you can find helpful information, services and resources about your legal problem if you are not represented by a lawyer.

Self-Help Center Locations

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State Law Library

Room G25
Minnesota Judicial Center
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

(651) 297-7651

mn.gov/law-library