Court clerks to furnish petitioners with uniform forms and information to litigants having no counsel on procedure, filing forms and pleadings
When someone files for a child order of protection, the court clerk helps them with the paperwork for free. The clerk explains how to fill out and file the forms. Signs in the courthouse tell people where to go and that clerks will help. No filing fees or court costs are charged. If a guardian ad litem or special advocate is appointed to help the child, the clerk must quickly give them a copy of the petition and contact information for everyone involved.
455.504. Court clerks to furnish s with forms and to having no on procedure, forms and — services of clerks and location of office to file to be posted — rules — no fees required — or CASA to be provided copy of petition. — 1. The shall make available to the petitioner the uniform forms adopted by the supreme court section 455.073. Except as provided in section 455.510, clerks under the supervision of a shall explain to litigants not represented by counsel the procedures for filing all forms and pleadings necessary for the presentation of their petition filed pursuant to the of sections 455.500 to 455.538 to the court. Notice of the fact that clerks will provide such assistance shall be posted in the clerks' offices. The location of the office where a petition can be filed shall be conspicuously posted in the court building. The performance of duties prescribed in this section shall not constitute the as defined in section 484.010. All duties of the clerk prescribed in this section shall be performed without cost to the litigants. The supreme court may as necessary to govern conduct of court clerks under sections 455.500 to 455.538, and shall provide forms for petitions and written instructions on filling out all forms and pleadings necessary for the presentation of the petition to the court.
2. No filing fees, , or shall be assessed to the petitioner in an commenced under sections 455.500 to 455.538.
3. The clerk shall immediately notify the guardian ad litem or of appointment and shall provide such or advocate with a copy of the petition for the for the child. The clerk shall provide such guardian or advocate with the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the parties within twenty-four hours of entry of the appointing the guardian ad litem or court-appointed special advocate.
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Source & history notes
(L. 1995 S.B. 174, A.L. 2002 H.B. 1814, A.L. 2003 H.B. 613)
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