Warning: Talk to An Attorney, If Possible
The materials and assistance you receive at the Court Assistance Office are not a substitute for legal advice. The laws and court rules are complex. Following instructions and using the forms provided to you will not guarantee a favorable result. It is always advisable to talk to a lawyer about your problem before proceeding on your own.
If you cannot afford to hire an attorney to represent you, you may be able to pay a lawyer to give you advice and review your paperwork for a lesser cost. Contact one of the attorneys listed on the Court Assistance Office Attorney Roster for assistance. Or, contact the Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service (208-334-4500) for the name of an attorney in your area who will provide an initial consultation for no more than $35. Also, contact the Idaho State Bar or your Court Assistance Office for information about limited services representation. The Court Assistance Office maintains a "Legal Services Directory" with information about resources for low-income people. Even if you do not hire a lawyer to represent you throughout the proceeding, a lawyer can look over your paperwork, give you advice on how to present your evidence, and tell you whether this type of action is right for you.
These forms have been reviewed or approved by the Idaho Supreme Court pursuant to the Order issued February 26, 2004, February 23, 2005 and September 18, 2005 and June 15, 2006. Individual judges may not accept certain forms, or may require them to be modified. A court assistance officer or court clerk may be able to give you additional information as to whether the judge assigned to your case has indicated approval or disapproval of the usage of any of these forms. However, neither the court assistance officer nor court clerk can advise you how to fill out the forms. Some information on filling out the forms can be found in the instructions. For more information you should either arrange to attend a workshop conducted by an attorney, call the Idaho Law Foundation's Legal Resource Line (1-877-228-6601), or consult a private attorney.
