Custody and visitation cases for women are handled in state and county family courts under each state's 'best interest of the child' standard. Mothers seeking sole, joint, or primary physical custody can use free self-help centers inside most courthouses to file petitions, parenting plans, and modification requests without an attorney. The ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence and the Women's Law Project track state-by-state custody trends, and organizations like the Battered Mothers Custody Conference advocate where abuse intersects with custody. This directory combines official state court self-help portals, county family law facilitators, women-focused family law firms, and maternal advocacy organizations.
Michigan family courts (a division of circuit court) handle custody and related matters in each of its 83 counties, with Friend of the Court offices providing investigation, mediation, and enforcement support. The Office of Child Support runs statewide enforcement. Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, and Sterling Heights are the largest metros. Michigan Legal Help and the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence support women.
Michigan Courts — Family Law Self-Help is a Michigan family-law resource helping mothers with custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Dial (517) 373-0130 for an initial conversation about your situation. Service hours run Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Free for qualifying Michigan mothers and their children.
(517) 373-0130 · 925 W Ottawa St, Lansing, MI 48915 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Wayne County Family Court — Detroit provides custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters for women in Detroit. Dial (313) 224-5266 for an initial conversation about your situation. Service hours run Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.
(313) 224-5266 · 2 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
Oakland County Family Court works with women across Michigan on custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Contact (248) 858-0344 to ask about appointments, documents to bring, and waitlist status. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Free for qualifying Michigan mothers and their children.
(248) 858-0344 · 1200 N Telegraph Rd, Pontiac, MI 48341 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website
Kent County Family Court — Grand Rapids serves women in Grand Rapids and surrounding Michigan communities with custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Dial (616) 632-5480 for an initial conversation about your situation. Available Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.
(616) 632-5480 · 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Free online legal information and self-help tools for family law. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Hours 24/7 online — free for qualifying women.
Online resource · 24/7 online · Visit Website
Legal Aid of Western Michigan serves women in Grand Rapids and surrounding Michigan communities with custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Call (888) 783-8190 to start intake or ask which services you qualify for. Service hours run Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.
(888) 783-8190 · 89 Ionia Ave NW Suite 400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website
MI State Bar — Lawyer Referral works with women across Michigan on custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Call (800) 968-0738 to start intake or ask which services you qualify for. Service hours run Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Paid service with sliding-scale or insurance billing for qualifying women.
(800) 968-0738 · 306 Townsend St, Lansing, MI 48933 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Macomb County Family Court provides custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters for women in Mt Clemens. Phone (586) 469-5150 for case-by-case eligibility, current openings, and next steps. Available Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.
(586) 469-5150 · 40 N Main St, Mt Clemens, MI 48043 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm
Comprehensive state-by-state custody and visitation legal information specifically for women, written in plain language by attorneys. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
American Bar Association family law section with attorney directory, public resources, and custody guidance. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
OCSS coordinates state child support and custody enforcement. State agency directory and program information for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Official federal portal for custody and support information with links to every state agency for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Federal child welfare information gateway. Custody, kinship care, and parenting plan guidance for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
NCJFCJ — research, training, and resources on family court including custody best practices. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Free legal reference on custody, visitation, and family law from Cornell Law School. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Free public legal information on custody arrangements, modifications, and enforcement for mothers and families. Access the resource library, directory, and any helpline information directly at the website — no account is typically required. Useful for mothers and families who need vetted, plain-language information on custody petitions, visitation schedules, child support, paternity, and protective orders. Available online 24/7 — free for qualifying women.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website