After a successful pilot run, Hamilton County Juvenile Court officially opened its first Custody and Companionship Clinic this week.

Over the past five years, Juvenile Court has experienced an increase in filings related to custody and visitation matters. The free legal clinic was created to enhance the support available for low-income individuals filing on their own for changes in custody or visitation.

"As a juvenile court judge, my top priority is considering the best interest of each child in custody and visitation matters. Providing access to free legal advice to those who cannot afford a lawyer enhances hearings by giving the court better information and evidence," Judge John M. Williams said.

The Clinic is the most recent self-help legal clinic to open and is a partnership between the courts, Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati, the Volunteer Lawyers Project and the Hamilton County Law Library.

"Our expectation is that this new Clinic will improve access to and knowledge of the juvenile justice system for low-income individuals," Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society Mary Asbury said.

During the first month of the pilot program, more than 200 individuals were served. The clinics are designed to offer support to self-represented filers in civil cases.

"There is a growing need in Hamilton County for this kind of assistance. For example, we are seeing grandparents seeking custody of their grandchildren due to a parent’s death or medical crisis. The services available at the Clinic will help them file correctly and completely the first time," Asbury said.

At the clinic, volunteer lawyers offer brief, on-the-spot legal advice, including explanations on court procedures, guidance on the evidence they will need in court, and assistance in drafting agreements and pleadings.

The Custody and Companionship Clinic will be open Mondays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. A.M. to 1 p.m. on the first floor of 800 Broadway.

For more information, the public is encouraged to call the clinic's hotline at 513-946-9440.

Attorneys interested in volunteering can contact Anne Lucas, Managing Attorney of the Volunteer Lawyers Project.