Asked at the Saturday table

Our work is free for people who qualify. A court may charge a filing fee, and we help you ask it to be waived. We tell you about any cost before we file.

A few simple questions about your household and what comes in each month. We don't ask for pay stubs on the first visit.

We'll say so, and tell you why. If another clinic, a private lawyer or a self-help program can help, we point you there.

No. We pull your official record and walk through it with you.

Yes. We look at each one. Some can be cleared together, some in separate petitions and some may not be eligible. We explain all of it before we file.

Each state sets its own rules. We can tell you what we can do here and refer you for the rest.

It depends on the court and on any waiting period. After we look at your record we tell you what to expect.

Often not, and sometimes yes. If there is a hearing, we prepare you and a lawyer goes with you.

The petition lists what the court requires and no more. We tell you what it contains before you sign.

Keep a copy. We help you ask background companies to update, and we tell you how to answer questions on job and housing applications.

A new case is a new case, and a cleared one can still be visible to courts in some places. We tell you where it stays visible.