Domestic Violence Self-Help Forms

Introduction
FAQ
Forms

Technology Safety Statement

Use of your home computer to visit this site can be tracked by someone in your home. You may want to use a computer in a public library or internet café. Or contact us through the Idaho Domestic Violence Advice Line:
1-877-500-2980.

Interactive forms are available for free to low income individuals. We currently have an interactive form for a Protection Order Petition for Adults If you are looking for different forms you can visit the Court Assistance Office (CAO) website to print forms and complete them by hand.

Links to the interactive Self-Help Form is available either by scrolling further down the page or by clicking on the Forms tab above.

You must have Adobe Flash Player to view the interactive interviews. Download it for free by clicking HERE! Then click “Install Now”.
Note: You do not need the free McAfee Security Scan Plus and should uncheck the box if you do not wish to install it.

Microsoft Word is used for developing these documents. If the computer you are using uses Notepad, WordPad or some other program for word processing, you mayhave difficulties with your documents. If you do not have Microsoft Word, you can download Microsoft Word Viewer for free from Microsoft.com.

Check the list below to make sure the interactive protection order petition can be used in your situation. You can use this interactive form packet if:

You are seeking a protection order for yourself OR for both you and your minor children.
Note: You cannot use this interview to apply for a protection order on behalf of a family or household member, or a child alone.
Your relationship with the respondent (the person you are seeking a protection order against) must be one of the following- current or former spouse, currently living together or previously lived together, child in common, currently dating or previously dated.
The respondent has acted on or threatened violence against you.
If you are also applying for your minor child/ren, they MUST have lived in Idaho for the past six (6) months.

Domestic Violence Interactive Court Form

Protection Order Petetion for Adults Packet - Use this interactive form packet if you are seeking a protection order for yourself OR for both you and your minor children.

To learn more about the project, safety and security of the interactive forms, and what to expect, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.

These forms are not for commercial use and charging for use in any way is prohibited.

Why can’t I see the interview? (Permalink)

I Keep Getting an Error Message: “There’s a problem. Could not find question. Unable to proceed.”

Download the Interactive Forms brochure by clicking here!

Adobe Flash Player MUST be installed on the computer you are using in order to view the interviews. If Flash is not installed, you will get an error message at the beginning of your interview indicating there’s a problem. If you are using your own computer it’s safe, easy to install, and free.

To download the latest version of Flash, click here: Adobe Flash Player
Scroll down and click “Install Now”. You do not need the free McAfee Security Scan Plus and should uncheck that box if you don't want to install it.

Please Note: If you are using a public computer, check with the organization to find out if Adobe Flash Player is already installed. You may need to restart your computer after installation.
What Software is Needed to Download and Print the Forms? (Permalink)

The interactive court forms download for printing in Rich Text Format (.rtf), which can be opened only in Microsoft Word. Make sure when downloading the documents your computer chooses that program to download the documents. Otherwise you will likely experience formatting or other errors such as getting nonsense or "gibberish" rather than a document. Note: Microsoft WordPad is NOT the same as Microsoft Word. Using WordPad WILL cause problems with your documents.

If you do not have Microsoft Word, you can download Microsoft Word Viewer for free from Microsoft.com.
Do I Need a Specific Browser to Access the Interactive Forms? (Permalink)

To access the interactive court forms, make sure to use an updated, Flash-enabled internet browser such as Internet Explorer or Mozilla. You may want to check for the latest version of the browser by visiting their website.
When I click the link to complete the forms, I'm taken to the LawHelp Interactive server. What is this? (Permalink)

The LawHelp Interactive server was donated by Lexis Nexis to Legal Service programs throughout the US to host online documents for low-income individuals. This server hosts all of the Idaho interactive court forms. It is an encrypted, secure server. Click here to read the LawHelp Interactivefrequently asked questions.
How can I learn more about the security of the server that hosts the documents? (Permalink)

Click here to read the full privacy policy.
Why should I sign up for a user-name and password on the server? (Permalink)

Signing up for a user-name and password allows you to save your answers each time you complete an interactive court form. The benefit comes when you need to come back and make changes to your documents or when you are completing documents with a two or more step process. For example, if you were completing documents to file for divorce, if you saved your answers when you completed the first set of documents, you could come back, access your saved answer file and use those answers to complete the documents needed to finalize your divorce, thus saving you time. Your answers are stored on a secure, encrypted server and are not accessible to anyone but you, unless you have shared your username and password. Click here to read about the server privacy policy.

The interactive court forms project is designed to help individuals representing themselves in court complete the forms they need easily and accurately online.
What Should I Expect? (Permalink)

You will answer questions in an interview format and your answers will be used to fill in Idaho court approved forms relevant to your court case. Links to the interviews (interactive forms) are on both the Idaho Legal Aid Services website and the Idaho Supreme Court’s Court Assistance Office website. Once you click the link to the form you need, you will taken to our partnering site, LawHelp Interactive, to complete the interview for the interactive forms. At the end of the interview, you will “submit” your answers, wait for your documents to be assembled, and then download your documents for printing. Instructions about what to do next will be included in your printed form packet.
Who Can Use This Program? (Permalink)

This program is designed for low income Idaho residents, or advocates assisting them, who are representing themselves in a non-criminal court case.
What Do I Need To Get Started? (Permalink)

First, select the type of forms needed for your legal situation (eg. Family Law, Landlord/Tenant, or Name Change). Each section will provide you with a list of information you will need to complete the interview and corresponding court forms.
How Much Does It Cost? (Permalink)

There is no cost for using this program. However, please note there are fees for filing most court documents. The instructions will include fee information or you can contact your local Court Assistance Office for more details.
Where Can I Find An Attorney If I Decide I Need One? (Permalink)

You can contact the Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service at (208) 334-4500 or online by clicking HERE for a referral to a licensed attorney.

Domestic Violence - Protection Order

Protection Order Petition for Adults
Check the list below to make sure the interactive protection order petition can be used in your situation. You can use this interactive form packet if you are seeking a protection order for yourself OR for both you and your minor children.

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Domestic Violence - Protection Order

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