What is the Help Center?

The Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Help Center opened in September 2017. The Clerk of Courts Help Center’s mission is to increase access to justice by providing self-represented people with education, information and limited legal advice to help them become better equipped to understand their legal issues and navigate the court system.

The Clerk of Courts Help Center was developed through a partnership between the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts, Municipal Court, Juvenile Court, the First District Court of Appeals, the Court of Common Pleas, the County Commission, and the University of Cincinnati College of Law. It is staffed with full-time attorneys and paralegals, and is supported by volunteer law students and volunteer attorneys in the community.

What can the Help Center do?

How can it help me?

The Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Help Center is open to self-represented litigants (people without lawyers representing them) in Hamilton County Courts with specific issues in: Municipal Civil Court, Juvenile Court, Court of Common Pleas, First District Court of Appeals. The Clerk of Courts Help Center provides general information and, in some instances, limited legal advice consultations on areas including:

• Municipal Civil Court: Small Claims; Landlord/Tenant; Evictions; Debt collection cases
• Juvenile Court: Custody Issues such as: Shared parenting (custody between both parents); Shared Custody (custody between a parent and non-parent, for example, a relative); Parenting Time (Parent's visitation with a child); Companionship Time (Non-parent's visitation with a child)
• First District Court of Appeals: Limited legal advice (by referral through the court) to unrepresented appeals litigants
• Court of Common Pleas: Foreclosure defense - initial responsive pleadings only

How can the Clerk of Courts Help Center assist you?

1. Legal Information: We can help you understand the law, the court process and how to complete legal paperwork. Visit the Clerk of Courts Help Center for help.
2. Limited Legal Advice: Call the Clerk of Courts Help Center to schedule a free 40-minute limited legal advice consultation to discuss your issue with an attorney. The attorney can suggest ways to resolve your issues and help you prepare for court hearings. The attorney cannot represent you in court or provide ongoing services. Some issues may be too complicated for limited legal advice. Appointments are subject to availability.

What can the Clerk of Courts Help Center NOT do?

The Clerk of Courts Help Center’s staff and volunteers do not represent you in court or provide ongoing legal representation, advice, or services. Clerk of Courts Help Center paralegals and volunteer law students cannot provide legal advice. Additionally, the Clerk of Courts Help Center does not replace the representation of an attorney in your case. There may be instances where Clerk of Courts Help Center attorneys determine that your case is too complex for the Clerk of Courts Help Center to assist you.

We are unable to provide assistance with criminal cases. If you have a criminal case, please contact the Hamilton County Public Defender at 513-946-3700.  

Visit the Clerk of Courts Help Center - General Division in person:

Hamilton County Courthouse, Room 113

1000 Main Street

Cincinnati, OH 45202

General Division Opening Hours (except holidays):

Monday – Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Visit the Clerk of Courts Help Center - Juvenile Court Division in person:

Hamilton County Juvenile Court

800 Broadway St., First Floor

Cincinnati, OH 45202

Juvenile Division Opening Hours (except holidays):

Monday—Wednesday & Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Call the Clerk of Courts Help Center:

General Division: 513-946-5650

Juvenile Division: 513-946-9440

When you visit the Clerk of Courts Help Center, come prepared.

To help us help you, please bring all relevant documents related to your case or legal issue, including court papers, documents (leases, contracts, receipts, etc.), and other evidence, including photos.

Clerk of Courts Help Center lawyers will not represent you in court. This service is provided to help you represent yourself.