InMotion staff and volunteer attorneys give free legal advice and brief services to women with cases involving matrimonial, family and immigration law. They can answer questions about divorce, spousal support, domestic violence, orders of protection, child support or child custody and visitation.

Our attorneys also provide undocumented immigrant women who are victims of domestic violence with advice on obtaining legal residency in the United States.

• Learn about your legal rights and how the law applies to your case and unique situation
• Have your questions answered by an experienced staff attorney
• Receive detailed information about court procedures and step-by-step instructions on how to represent yourself in court
• Learn what legal papers you will need to file with the court, receive detailed instructions on the correct way to file your papers, and learn about important deadlines you may need to meet in order to avoid a default judgment. You will also learn if you are eligible for inMotion’s free brief services
• Learn about pro se services available within the courts for individuals who cannot afford to hire an attorney and need to represent themselves
• Receive additional informational materials that apply to your case
• Obtain referrals to legal or social service agencies and community organizations that might be able to help you

How to receive legal advice from inMotion

First, we ask you to call our office and complete a detailed telephone interview (called an intake). InMotion does not accept walk-ins, so please do not come to our office without making an appointment by phone.

After you complete your intake, we will ask you to fax any legal documents you may have relating to your case. When we have gathered the basic facts surrounding your case, one of our staff members will review your intake information, legal documents and assess your case.

A staff person will then call you to discuss the details of your case and may schedule an appointment for you to come to one of our offices for additional legal advice and/or brief services.

Free brief services
InMotion staff attorneys and volunteer attorneys can draft (prepare) legal papers which you can then file in Family or Supreme Court in New York City. The preparation of court papers is called brief services.

• Be asked to make an appointment to come to our office to meet with an attorney and review and sign legal documents that we will prepare on your behalf
• Receive detailed instructions on the correct way to file your papers and learn about important deadlines you may need to meet. Otherwise your case could be decided before you tell the court your side of the case (called a default judgement)
• Have an opportunity to discuss what will happen when you go to court, who will be in the court room and basic procedures you will need to follow
• Discuss the next steps involved in your case

All of inMotion’s services are free to eligible women living in New York City.

Learn more about who is eligible for inMotion's legal services.

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