JDC's Family Law Project assists low-income individuals and families with family law and related probate matters including custody, divorce, legal separation, domestic abuse, guardianship and conservatorship cases. We also assist with related issues such as domestic violence restraining orders.
Guardianships
JDC receives referrals for uncontested guardianships from the Superior Court's ACCESS Center. JDC assists low-income clients obtain a guardianship of the person (we do not help with guardianships of the estate). Through this project, we assign cases to volunteer attorneys and provide a mentor if necessary. Cases generally require meeting with the client and then filling out the necessary forms and filing them with the court. After filing, there will be a hearing in the probate court and then the letters of guardianship are issued. Before you volunteer with this project, you must complete an online training and attend our free CLE training.
Conservatorships
JDC assists low-income individuals in petitioning for conservatorship of a dependent adult. We do not assist with conservatorships of the estate. Through this project, we assign cases to volunteer attorneys and provide them with mentorship. Cases generally require meeting with the client, completing the necessary pleadings and filing them with the court. After filing, there will be a hearing where Letters of Conservatorship are issued. Before you volunteer with this project, you must attend our free CLE training.
Volunteering
Full scope and limited scope representation opportunities are available. Attorneys without experience are provided CLE training before being invited to work on a case.
To volunteer, please fill out our Volunteer Attorney Application. If you have questions, email us on probono@sfbar.org.