You are capable.
You are resilient.
And you're not alone in this fight for justice

NOT POWERLESS. JUST PRO SE

WHAT IS PRO SE?

"Pro se" is a Latin term meaning "for oneself." In legal terms, it means representing yourself in court without a lawyer.

That might sound impossible. Or scary. Or reckless. But for many mothers trying to enforce child or spousal support, it's the only path left when the system has drained their resources and failed to protect them.

  • Because you've already done everything right — and you're still being ignored. Because you can't afford another attorney retainer. Because you've spent thousands and gotten nowhere. Because your kids need you to keep going.

    And most of all — because you can.

    "Pro se doesn't mean you're alone. It means you're taking back your power."

  • Yes. Every parent in the U.S. has the legal right to self-representation. Courts must accept filings from pro se litigants and allow them to appear without an attorney.

    What they won't do is make it easy. That's where we come in.

YOUR PRO SE JOURNEY

STEP BY STEP

Justice for Mothers was founded by a mother who did it with no legal background, no money, and no formal training — just the belief that justice is worth fighting for. We've built a network of mentors, a library of tools, and a safe space to learn what the system won't teach you.

UNDERSTAND YOUR CASE

Assess your situation and what type of enforcement or legal action is needed. Identify the court orders being violated and what outcomes you’re seeking.

1

PREPARE WITH SUPPORT

Gather the resources you need — toolkits, guides, and mentorship. Learn the legal process and get help reviewing your documents and preparing for court.

2

TAKE CONFIDENT ACTION

Use our templates to file motions, attend hearings, and advocate for yourself and your children with clarity and confidence.

3

PRO SE RESOURCES YOU’LL NEED

We've developed tools and resources to help you navigate each step of your pro se journey.

MENTOR
SUPPORT

Connect with someone who can guide you through the process

PRO SE
TOOLKITS

Step-by-step guides
for preparing legal
filings

DOCUMENT TEMPLATES

Customizable legal templates that work in court

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Connect with other mothers on the same journey

DEFEND WHAT’S YOURS

READY TO BEGIN YOUR JOURNEY?

Fill out our intake form below, and we'll connect you with the right resources for your situation.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

  • The courage to get started

  • Basic knowledge of legal procedures (we'll help)

  • Court forms, templates, and examples (we provide them)

  • A community that has your back (we're here)

  • No. Many successful pro se litigants have no prior legal experience. What you need is determination, organization, and the right resources—which we provide.

  • Our resources help you present yourself professionally and make compelling arguments. We'll prepare you for common objections and how to respond effectively.

  • Our resources and mentor matching are provided at no cost. Court filing fees vary by jurisdiction, but many courts offer fee waivers for those who qualify.

  • Every case is different, but most enforcement actions take several months. We help you prepare for the long game while focusing on immediate steps.

PRO SE INTAKE FORM 

It all starts with the first step. We're here to help you begin your pro se journey with the right tools and support. Fill out the form below so we can understand where you are — and how we can help.