Custody and Companionship Clinic Provided Free Legal Services to over 2,265 Individuals

The Custody and Companionship Clinic has served over 2,265 individuals seeking safe, permanent homes for children since it first opened on September 25, 2017. The Clinic offers free, brief legal advice and assistance to those who cannot afford traditional legal services. Many of these individuals are single mothers or older relatives and grandparents who are seeking help in custody or companionship (visitation) issues.

Legal Aid Society and volunteer staff attorneys answer questions and guide self-represented litigants through custody and visitation proceedings. The Clinic continued services via telephone during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that these services were available.

The Custody and Companionship Clinic is open three days a week thanks to support from a variety of contributors. Hamilton County Juvenile Court dedicated accessible office space on the first floor of the 800 Broadway building to accommodate self-filers seeking the Clinic’s services.

The space is decorated with colorful and educational artwork created by residents of the Hamilton County Youth Center, under the direction of  Cincinnati Public Schools art teacher Ms. Penelope Harris. Girl Scout Troop 1756 of Highlands Middle School donated a reading library for the children who accompany parents and relatives.