The State of Nevada Judicial Branch is proud to announce that the state-wide legal self-help website selfhelp.nvcourts.gov now includes features aimed at providing free resources to empower individuals who are navigating the legal system.
The Supreme Court of Nevada Administrative Office of the Courts enlisted the help of technology company CiviLaw.Tech to develop innovative online tools including instructional step-by-step guides and informative videos. These resources address many common topics including divorce, custody, paternity, child support, separate maintenance, annulment, guardianship, adoption, termination of parental rights, name changes, and more.
“Access to justice is, and always will be, of paramount concern to the Supreme Court of Nevada and I am confident that our efforts to increase the resources available to the people of our state through our Self-Help website will be tremendously impactful,” said Supreme Court of Nevada Chief Justice Douglas Herndon. “I am grateful to everyone involved in our Administrative Office of the Courts for their innovative efforts to bring this tool to all Nevadans.”
The Self-Help Center features an AI-powered chatbot offering multilingual support. As legal self-help resources become increasingly vital nationwide, the Supreme Court of Nevada is at the forefront, utilizing an artificial intelligence chatbot that provides tailored legal information and resources based on an individual's needs, available in more than 50 languages.
Guided interviews, similar to those used in tax preparation software, are available to assist users in navigating legal processes.
Additionally, the Self-Help Center offers a portal to file protection orders, information on court basics, finding legal assistance, and self-representation in court. A list of resources for individuals experiencing issues such as domestic violence, child support enforcement, missing children, and senior services is also available.
"Everyone deserves access to justice and the resources necessary to navigate the legal system,” added State Court Administrator, Katherine Stocks. "This portal reflects our unwavering commitment to supporting Nevada residents in their legal needs, regardless of their ability to pay."
Visitors can access information on court fees and fee waivers in various languages, along with details on free and low-cost legal assistance.
Legal Aid providers throughout Nevada are hosting Ask-A-Lawyer events in which members of the public can consult with a licensed attorney. The first three events are:
- Fallon: Thursday, March 13 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Churchill County Library
- Yerington: Thursday, April 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lyon County Yerington Branch Library
- Pahrump: Thursday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the NYE Communities Coalition
For more information about the State of Nevada Self-Help Center, please visit https://selfhelp.nvcourts.gov.