Many Probate and Family Courts have lawyers who give information and assistance free of charge to low income people. Call and check if your local Probate and Family Court does. These lawyers are usually called the "Lawyer for the Day." You can find the telephone number of your local Probate and Family Court at by going to Massachusetts Court System website. Click on "Probate and Family Court" and then on "Courthouses by County."
Lawyers for the Day can:
- provide basic legal information about how the court handles child support cases, and
- help you to fill out the forms
They will not go into the courtroom and speak for you, however. If you talk to an "attorney for the day," be sure to ask for help about the Affidavit of Indigency. See, "What are the fees and costs when you file a complaint for modification of a child support order?"
The Department of Revenue Child Support Enforcement Division provides assistance to people seeking to modify a child support order. There is information available at the DOR/CSED website, http://www.cse.state.ma.us. Click on "Parents". Then click on "Brochures, Forms and Information". Then click on "Request for Review and Adjustment." At the website you can get a copy of the form for requesting a review along with instructions for filling out the form. You can also get this information by calling DOR/CSED's Customer Service line, 1-800-332-2733.
Effective September 1, 2003, parents can file a Joint Petition for Modification of a Child Support Judgment.
