Self- Represented Litigant Application

EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE

SELF-REPRESENTED FAMILY LITIGANT REQUEST FOR ORDER REVIEW
The Domestic Relations Office (DRO) provides legal information and review services to self-represented litigants that assists with drafting a final order to finalize their family law matter. The Applicant's initials are required before any review services or legal information are provided. By initialing below, I understand and agree with the following DRO conditions, limitations and policies:
A. CONDITIONS, LIMITATIONS AND POLICIES
Initial* Applicant may choose to access DRO's legal information and review services or access services from a private attorney.
Initial* Self-Represented Services are not available when either party is represented by an attorney. The Applicant must consult with an attorney.
Initial* The DRO will not validate any jurisdiction, demographic, child-related, financial, or property information in your pleadings, motions, orders or supporting documents.
Initial* The DRO staff will not provide legal advice. Legal advice must be obtained from a private attorney or the applicant must make their own legal decisions.
Initial* The DRO will provide the applicant with legal information to assist them with their case. The DRO will not provide services or legal information to a nonapplicant, including a friend or relative.
Initial* The DRO recognizes Texas Law Help as a provider of Texas self-represented litigants' forms www.texaslawhelp.com, in most recently authorized version, to be eligible for services. The DRO will not review forms from other entities, unless provided by the court the petition is filed under. Litigants who have paid for services from other providers are encouraged to return to their provider for assistance.
Initial* Documents must be scanned, faxed, or emailed (Pdf format). Phone pictures of documents or documents sent a single page at a time are not acceptable.
Initial * Applicant must have a pending family lawsuit, which includes a filed petition and notice to the other party.
Initial * The Applicant must have a family law matter that will be finalized by:
1) AGREEMENT: BOTH parties agree on all terms of the case,
2) WAIVER: The defendant has waived service (see below), OR
3) DEFAULT: Requirements are met for a default judgment.
Initial * The other party must have service or notice of the lawsuit by a:
1) Notarized Waiver of Service
2) Answer with a signed final decree, OR
3) Executed return of Service by a process server.
Initial * The mandatory waiting period for the type of case review must have passed:
1) In divorce cases, the petitioner must wait 60 days after the case is filed to finalize, or
2) In other family cases, the petitioner must wait until the Monday following 20 days after service to finalize.
Initial * If the case involves a child, the final order must provide for conservatorship, rights & duties, possession/ access, child support, medical support, and dental support. The only exception is a modification case.
Initial * The following cases involving complex property matters do not qualify for services:
1) Either party owns a business; or
2) The parties have complex property issues.
Initial * Multiple closing forms may be required depending on the type of case being finalized:
1) For a child related cases, Income withholding Order, a Record of Support Order Form, a TFC Section 105.006 Form, Court Checklist and BVS 165 Form are required.
2) If a default judgment is needed, a) A certificate of Last Known Address, b) A signed and notarized Military Status Affidavit, c) An Inventory and Appraisement, d) A Record Request, and e) A Notice of Final Hearing 45 days out are required.
Initial * The DRO will attempt to contact you within 5 business days of submitting your documents.
Initial * When a DRO representative determines that your final order and support documents meet standards, a Notice of Review will be filed advising the Court that your documents appear to meet legal standards. At that time, you may request a setting on the Court's uncontested or submission docket and appear to finalize your family law matter.
Initial * You are responsible for preparing all required documents and advancing your family law matter before the Judge. The DRO will NOT prepare documents for you and will NOT appear in court.
B. INFORMATION:
Applicant Name*

First NameLast Name
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email*
example@example.com
Race

African AmericanAsian-AmericanHispanicNative AmericanWhiteOther
Annual Income (Select):*

Less than $10,000$10,000 to $25,000$25,001 to $50,000$50,001 to $75,000$75,001 and above
Cause Number: (sample numbers: 2023DCM0000 or 2023AG000)*
Type Cause
Court Number: (i.e. 65th, County Court 5, 383rd, 388th)*
Court Number
Type of lawsuit (Select):*

Divorce With No ChildrenDivorce With ChildrenModificationSuit Affecting the Parent Child Relationship (no marriage)Other
Name of the Other Party*

First NameLast Name
C. ATTACH DOCUMENTS:
Attach Final Order for Review*

PDF format
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Supporting Documents Based on Type of Lawsuit, i.e. BVS Forms, Record of Support, Affidavits, A Certificate of Last Known Address, Military Status Affidavit*

PDF format
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D. SIGNATURE
By signing below, I am requesting review of the attached final order by the DRO to ensure the forms meet standards. I understand that:

a. The DRO - nor its attorneys - represent me, the other party, or the child(ren);

b. The DRO will only provide information and review services directly to me, not any third parties;

c. Receiving information and review services from the DRO does not constitute or create a client relationship between myself and the DRO;

d. I may seek independent legal counsel at any time; and

e. If I have any questions that require legal advice, I should consult with a private attorney;

f. The DRO is not responsible for the outcome of my case;

g. What I tell the DRO Lawyers, staff, and interns is not confidential.

By signing below, I agree to the conditions, limitations and polcies of DRO services and understand the instructions as outlined above.
Signature*

Clear
Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
Should be Empty:

EL PASO COUNTY DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICE

A. CONDITIONS, LIMITATIONS AND POLICIES

B. INFORMATION:

C. ATTACH DOCUMENTS:

D. SIGNATURE