Celebrating 10 Years of the Self Help Center
10 years ago, Orange County Clerk of Courts Tiffany Moore Russell opened the doors to something truly special: the Lydia Gardner Self Help Center, a place designed to provide real support for people navigating the court system without an attorney.
“As your Clerk of Courts, I believed then, as I do now, that justice should be accessible to everyone, regardless of income or background,” said Clerk Russell. “I wanted to create the Self Help Center, because I saw first-hand working in legal aid, how many people just can’t afford an attorney.”
Named in honor of the late Orange County Clerk of Courts Lydia Gardner, the Self Help Center was the first of its kind in Orange County to help people who are representing themselves. Since that grand opening on September 1, 2015, the center helped hundreds of thousands of people take important steps forward in their legal journey.
Today, thanks to your dedication, that vision is thriving, and the results speak volumes. We’ve served over 200,000 customers, completed more than 24,000 attorney appointments, and empowered thousands to take their first steps toward justice!
Whether it is getting help with cases in family law (excluding restraining orders), small claims, evictions, or scheduling a low-cost consultation with an attorney, the Self Help Center has made a difference in people’s lives when they needed it most.
Attorney consultations are only $1.00 dollar a minute. The center also helps customers with forms needed, with e-filing, printing, copying, notary, and general consultations. Earlier this year, Self Help services were expanded to a second location at the Clerk’s Office new courthouse in Winter Park. In-person consultations can be scheduled on Thursdays in Winter Park and on Tuesdays at the courthouse in downtown Orlando. Virtual appointments are held Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays.
To access Self Help Services, you can visit us at the courthouse in Orlando or our new branch location in Winter Park or go to our Self Help website