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.
Montana district courts handle family matters in each of its 56 counties across 22 judicial districts. The Child Support Services Division operates under DPHHS. Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Bozeman are the largest cities. Montana Legal Services Association and the Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence support women, with strong online self-help for pro se litigants.
Montana Courts Self-Help — Family Law is a nationwide resource where Montana women can find custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Call 406-444-2621 to start intake or ask which services you qualify for. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.
406-444-2621 · Statewide Online Resource · Online 24/7 · Visit Website
Based in Billings, Yellowstone County District Court — Family supports Montana women navigating custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Dial 406-256-2851 for an initial conversation about your situation. Hours are Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, and walk-ins may be accepted depending on staffing. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.
406-256-2851 · 217 N 27th St, Billings, MT 59101 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Based in Missoula, Missoula County District Court — Family supports Montana women navigating custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Call 406-258-4780 to start intake or ask which services you qualify for. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm — confirm by phone before driving in. Free of charge for women meeting income or program eligibility.
406-258-4780 · 200 W Broadway, Missoula, MT 59802 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Lewis and Clark County District Court — Family provides custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters for women in Helena. Reach the team at 406-447-8215 to schedule a screening. Service hours run Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Free for qualifying Montana mothers and their children.
406-447-8215 · 228 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Gallatin County District Court — Family serves women in Bozeman and surrounding Montana communities with custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Reach the team at 406-582-2165 to schedule a screening. Hours are Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, and walk-ins may be accepted depending on staffing. No fee for eligible women, with intake handled confidentially.
406-582-2165 · 615 S 16th Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Cascade County District Court — Family is the go-to family-law resource in the Great Falls area for custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Phone 406-454-6810 for case-by-case eligibility, current openings, and next steps. Available Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; the team can answer questions about documents and timing. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.
406-454-6810 · 415 2nd Ave N, Great Falls, MT 59401 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Montana State Bar — Lawyer Referral provides custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters for women in Helena. Phone 406-442-7660 for case-by-case eligibility, current openings, and next steps. Service hours run Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; ask about after-hours options if needed. Fees may apply — sliding-scale, insurance, or self-pay options are typically available.
406-442-7660 · 33 S Last Chance Gulch Suite 1A, Helena, MT 59601 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
Montana Family Mediation Services provides Montana mothers with online access to custody, parenting time, paternity, and modification matters. Reach the team at 406-444-2621 to schedule a screening. Hours are Mon-Fri 8am-5pm, and walk-ins may be accepted depending on staffing. Services are offered at no cost to women who meet program criteria.
406-444-2621 · Statewide Service · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
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