Divorce Program
If you are looking for free legal help in New Jersey regarding a divorce, please click here.
VLJ’s Divorce Program provides assistance to self-represented litigants filing for divorce in New Jersey. Attorney and non-attorney volunteers generally work in teams to discuss the circumstances of the client’s case, help prepare pleadings, collect necessary documentation, and file cases using courts’ online filing system (JEDS).
Court/Docket: Family Court
Format: The Divorce Program primarily operates as a Virtual Clinic via Zoom. Volunteers work in teams to meet with pro se litigants to discuss their case and move them along in the divorce process. Some clients need help with the initial complaint paperwork, (templates provided by VLJ), while others need help responding to a complaint, serving their spouse, completing a Case Information Statement, or preparing for a default hearing. Clients regularly need help with this paper-intensive docket. Interested volunteers also have the opportunity to take on compelling divorce matters for full-representation.
Time Commitment: Virtual Clinic (4 hours); Divorce case (~ 25+ hours)
Experience NOT Required: Prior experience in family law or divorce is not required to volunteer for the legal clinic, and attorneys who provide ongoing representation in divorce matters are provided extensive training and support. Volunteer attorneys with family law/divorce experience are encouraged to serve as mentors to new volunteers on a case or via remote support during the 4-hour virtual clinic.
Training Available: VLJ has training materials (written & video) on divorce law in New Jersey, as well as sample pleadings and forms. Volunteers without prior experience are required to review the training materials before volunteering for the first time.
Mentoring: A VLJ staff attorney is present at all legal clinics to provide assistance and support to volunteers. VLJ will also try to secure a mentor for volunteer attorneys handling their first pro bono divorce case with VLJ.
How to sign up?
Complete VLJ’s Volunteer Form (click or tap button below).
If you work at Merck or Prudential, please talk to your pro bono coordinator about how to get involved.