For those whose eyes glaze -- or brows sweat -- at the mere thought of maneuvering the legal morass of divorce, alimony, child support and custody, help is at hand.
Monday, 40 law students from the University of Maryland and the University of Baltimore began staffing four of the state's circuit courthouses, offering help to those who want a lawyer but can't afford one. Dubbed the Pro Se Project -- named for the legal term for those who act as their own lawyers -- it is funded by a $750,000 grant from the legislature.
A healthy turnout, about 15 people in the first two hours, surprised the law students at the Baltimore courthouse Monday. The four third-year law students who showed up for Pro Se's inaugural session found plenty of work.
"It gave me a good opportunity to think on my feet. I was pleased that I knew the answers to the questions they asked," said University of Baltimore law student Nancy Williamson.
At least one of her clients appreciated the service.
"I was surprised to find out I didn't need a lawyer," said Patricia Helmick. The 31-year-old Canton resident estimated that the service saved her about $500. She was filing limited divorce and child custody proceedings. "They made sure I was filling out all the forms correctly," she said.
The project staffers are in Room 232 of the Baltimore courthouse east building. It is open Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursday noon to 4 p.m.
Other clinics are in the circuit courthouses in Baltimore, Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties.
One side effect of the project is to release circuit court clerks from a legal straitjacket imposed several years ago by Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr.
In an advisory from Mr. Curran, clerks were told to stop dispensing advice that might be interpreted as unauthorized lawyering.
Judges and courthouse workers have chafed at the prohibition and the resulting public perception that they are unfeeling or unresponsive, one judge said.
"We get a lot of inquiries. People ask where to go, what to do and how to do it, and they don't understand that we can't tell them because we can't give legal advice," said Circuit Judge Kathleen O'Ferrall Friedman.
Judge Friedman said the project will ease the burden on clerks and judges and better prepare clients who wish to represent themselves.
The law schools have developed do-it-yourself forms for divorces and domestic law proceedings that will be distributed by circuit court clerks statewide beginning this week. The forms will include instruction sheets, but in Baltimore, Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties and in Baltimore City, the Pro Se law students will be available for advice.
One of the program's founders, Bonnie Butler, a University of Baltimore law professor, said she did not expect opposition from lawyers in private practice, because the Maryland Bar Association was consulted during the project's design.
But one family law specialist said the issues can be too complex for law students. "When I was a law student, I didn't always know enough to advise clients," said Rebecca A. Bryant.
Ms. Bryant, a Pikesville lawyer, said clients are often unaware of their rights, citing as an example the fact that a portion of a spouse's pension can be distributed in a divorce case.
Ms. Butler said the students, who are supervised by legal professionals, will be able to guide clients to attorney referral services or legal clinics in contested or complicated cases.
Prince George's County declined the opportunity to play host to the students because its lawyers already provide adequate representation under a pro bono system, said Frank Broccolina, the deputy state court administrator.
Residents in the state's other 19 jurisdictions can call a toll-free hot line operated by the Women's Law Center Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The number is (800) 818-9888.
The project is being funded by the legislature to assist family law operations in the state's five largest jurisdictions. The plan is an alternative to a court reorganization bill that would have created a separate family court.
Each law school is receiving $60,000 to operate the Pro Se clinics through May 1. An additional $14,000 funds the hot line, Mr. Broccolina said.
Bell Atlantic donated video conferencing equipment that allows law professors to supervise the students from a remote site.
Court administrators are investigating other ways to improve access. Judges are undergoing sensitivity training, and the courts are considering a computerized courthouse lobby kiosk at which court patrons could get answers to questions and get forms printed.