NEW PHILADELPHIA (Tusco TV) - Area law groups are teaming up to make it easier for married couples to legally separate in Tuscarawas County. 

Common Pleas Court Administrator Elizabeth Stephenson says the Tuscarawas County Bar Association and Southeastern Ohio Legal Services are offering another series of free monthly family law clinics. The first scheduled for this Tuesday from 2 to 4 pm at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church in New Philadelphia. Stephenson says these sessions are designed to help low-income residents navigate the process of filing for divorce or dissolution. 

"What we’re noticing here at the court is more than half of our domestic relations filings are coming from people who are representing themselves, whether they’re choosing to or they feel as though they have to because of the expense of an attorney," she says.

Stephenson says those participating in the free sessions will get help filling out the required paperwork with licensed attorneys on to hand answer any questions. 

"It’s basically a program designed for low-income individuals to learn about the divorce and dissolution process and also the forms that we have available on our website," she says. "Part of the day is going to be everybody who is there will get to meet with an attorney or lawyer licensed who does that kind of work in a confidential setting."

Additional sessions are scheduled for the same location and time on June 18th, July 16th, August 20th, September 17th, October 15th, November 19th, and December 17th. Stevenson says people should plan to arrive 30 minutes early so they can get signed in. The church is located at 202 East High Avenue, across from the police station. 

TUSCO TV