Divorce Clinic - Volunteer Resources

Thank you for volunteering with VLJ’s Divorce Program!
The resources below are meant to provide information and support to you while you volunteer with our legal clinic.

things to know!

• VLJ utilizes the Zoom platform for virtual legal clinics, including the Breakout Room feature for individual client-attorney meetings

• VLJ staff preschedule clients in need of NJ divorce help and volunteers (attorney, non-attorney, and interpreters) for each clinic

  • Non-attorneys either join attorney teams to help complete paperwork or meet with clients 1:1 to help with info collection/doc completion before the client joins their attorney team

  • VLJ works to schedule interpreters for clinics when we have non-English speaking clients on the schedule

• Most volunteers will be placed in teams; all first time clinic volunteers will shadow an experienced clinic volunteer

• Teams will meet with 2-3 clients during each clinic

• Electronic CASE FILES and INDIVIDUALIZED VOLUNTEER FORMS are emailed at the start of the clinic, once volunteer teams and clients are confirmed

day of clinic

Each team must complete the following for each client
(one per team, per client):

• Limited Scope Retainer Agreement. Download HERE.

  • Obtain verbal consent from client at the start of the appointment.

  • Email back to VLJ’s Divorce team: vcarvajal@vljnj.org and jheredialopera@vljnj.org

• Volunteer Report Form.

  • Unique and individualized link provided via email once team/clients assigned.

  • Designate one member of team to complete and submit by following business day.

Pro Se Forms

Below are a few of the pro se pleadings you may need to prepare for clients.

NJ Family courts

Addresses for all NJ family courts

additional cover letters for pleadings

Filing Motion to Reinstate Divorce Complaint

Filing Proof of Service (Self)

Filing Proof of Service (Sherriff)

instruction guides for self-represented (pro se) Litigants

Handout: How to file your divorce complaint using Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS) - online portal

Instructional videos:

• Understanding divorce & custody

• How to file out your Case Information Statement (CIS)

• Process Service in New Jersey

• Service by publication

Judiciary Electronic Document Submission (JEDS)

JEDS is a new electronic drop box system created by the NJ Judiciary for self-represented litigants submitting documents or for attorneys submitting documents in cases not managed through e-Courts.  Litigants should be counseled to set up their own account (if applicable to their case, i.e., they need to file something with the court). 

Judiciary’s electronic document submission (JEDS) - https://www.njcourts.gov/selfhelp/jeds.html

VLJ has created a client-friendly guide for pro se litigants to reference for assistance in creating their own JEDS account and a FAQ HERE. Please feel free to save a copy and send it to clients if needed.

training videos for new volunteers

Whether this is your first time volunteering with VLJ’s Divorce Program, or it has been a while, below are relevant training videos we recommend.

Divorce Basics: An Introductory Course for Non-Family Law Practioners (1.5 hours)

CLE hosted by VLJ provides an overview of New Jersey matrimonial law, and will focus on common procedures in divorce cases. The goal of this program is to familiarize non-family attorneys and with the divorce process in New Jersey. The training includes best practices and an overview of the commonly-seen issues and forms utilized during the clinic. By the conclusion of the program, participants should feel comfortable assisting with completing divorce pleadings, forms, and advising pro se litigants in VLJ-run Divorce Clinics.