Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a single mother in Alaska and need legal help, start with three places: ALSC intake for free civil legal aid, the Family Law Self-Help pages for Alaska court forms and family-law steps, and Alaska 2-1-1 if your legal problem is tied to housing, food, safety, transportation, or bills.
This guide is general information only. It is not legal advice. Legal deadlines can move fast. If you have court papers, an eviction notice, a protective order issue, a benefits denial, or a child custody hearing, contact a lawyer, legal aid, a court self-help office, or the agency listed on your notice as soon as you can.
If you need urgent help
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or safety is part of the problem, contact a local advocate before taking steps that could put you or your children at risk. Alaska’s Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault lists 24/7 crisis lines, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 and the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673, on its CDVSA page.
If you need a protective order, the Alaska Court System has a protective order wizard. The wizard says to call 911 first if you are in danger. It also warns users to print forms in a safe place if privacy is a concern.
If your landlord filed or threatened eviction, do not ignore it. Alaska courts explain that eviction is a Forcible Entry and Detainer case and that a landlord cannot legally remove a tenant without a court order. The eviction self-help page explains notice periods and the court process.
Where to start
Start with the problem that has the closest deadline. A court date, eviction hearing, benefits appeal deadline, protective order hearing, or child support notice should move to the top of your list.
You need a lawyer
Apply with Alaska Legal Services Corporation first if your case is civil, not criminal. ALSC handles many low-income civil legal issues, but it cannot accept every case.
You need court forms
Use Alaska Court System self-help pages for forms, filing steps, court fees, and hearing preparation. Court staff can explain process, but they cannot be your lawyer.
You need safety help
Talk with a domestic violence or sexual assault advocate. An advocate may help with safety planning, shelter, protective orders, and referrals for legal services.
You need basic support
Legal problems often come with rent, child care, food, medical, or transportation problems. See our Alaska community help page for more local support paths.
Quick reference table
| Problem | First place to try | What to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custody, divorce, parenting time | Self-Help Center | Ask which forms fit your case and whether there are fee-waiver options. | The center gives legal information, not legal advice or representation. |
| Low-income civil legal aid | ALSC eligibility | Ask whether your issue fits ALSC priorities and whether a conflict check is needed. | ALSC says most applicants qualify by income at or below 125% of Alaska poverty guidelines, but case acceptance is not guaranteed. |
| Child support | Alaska CSED | Ask how to open, update, or check a case in the new CSED portal. | CSED now says myAlaska is no longer used for child support services. |
| Domestic violence or sexual assault | ANDVSA support | Ask for an advocate, legal program referral, and safe housing options. | Use safe phone, email, and printing choices if someone monitors you. |
| Eviction or landlord issue | Landlord guide | Ask ALSC about eviction help and check the court notice deadline. | Deadlines can be short. Keep the notice, envelope, texts, photos, and rent records. |
| SNAP, Medicaid, or public benefits delay | Fair hearing guide | Ask how to request a hearing and how to keep proof you filed. | Many appeals have deadlines. SNAP has a longer deadline than many other benefits. |
Free legal aid in Alaska
Alaska Legal Services Corporation is the main free civil legal aid program for low-income Alaskans. ALSC says it helps with civil legal issues such as family law, housing, public benefits, health care, consumer problems, Alaska Native law, veterans issues, and seniors issues.
To start, use apply for help or call 1-888-478-2572. Be ready to explain the legal problem, the deadline, the county or court location, the other party’s name, and whether you have papers. ALSC also says it may not be able to accept every application because resources are limited.
If ALSC cannot take your case, ask for referrals. The Alaska Bar lists qualified free legal service providers and clinics on its pro bono page. Alaska Free Legal Answers may also help if you qualify and your question can be answered online. The site says users can post civil legal questions for volunteer Alaska attorneys through Free Legal Answers.
Tip
When you apply for legal aid, say the deadline first. For example: “I have an eviction hearing on June 3,” or “My benefits notice says I have 30 days to appeal.”
Custody, divorce, child support, and parenting time
Many single mothers need help with custody, paternity, divorce, parenting plans, or child support. The Alaska Court System’s family self-help pages cover case steps, court forms, service, motions, trials, final orders, enforcement, and appeals. The court’s forms catalog also lists family law, domestic violence, eviction, small claims, guardianship, and other forms.
The Family Law Self-Help Center serves people who are not represented by a lawyer. It has a statewide helpline at 907-264-0851, or 866-279-0851 from an Alaska phone outside Anchorage. The court says the center gives information and educational materials, but it does not give legal advice or represent people in court.
Child support in Alaska is handled by the Child Support Enforcement Division, or CSED. The state’s CSED site says its new system is live and that myAlaska is no longer used for child support services. It lists customer service at 907-269-6900. For a deeper child support overview on our site, use Alaska child support.
If you are trying to change child custody or child support, do not rely on a verbal agreement. The court’s custody information says child support may be modified when there is a 15% change in the support amount or a parenting plan change that affects the formula. Ask the Self-Help Center which motion packet fits your situation.
For broader family support, see our Alaska child care guide if legal appointments, hearings, or work requirements are hard because you cannot find care.
Safety, protective orders, and survivor legal help
Protective orders and safety issues can involve housing, custody, child support, immigration, money, school, and work. Do not use this guide as a safety plan. A local advocate can help you think through safer next steps for your situation.
The Alaska Court System’s protective order wizard can help prepare forms for domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault protective orders. The wizard says it is not a court order and that forms still need to be filed. It also suggests safe printing if privacy is a concern.
ANDVSA says its survivor support services include civil legal help for issues such as divorce, child custody, protection orders, housing, consumer problems, and other civil matters. Contact a local member program and ask to speak to an advocate. For a local ASMOM page on related support, see Alaska safety resources.
Some survivors need housing tied to safety. Alaska Housing Finance Corporation describes an Empowering Choice program for families displaced by domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, or stalking. Ask an advocate or housing provider whether it is available where you live.
Eviction, rent, deposits, and housing problems
If you receive a Notice to Quit, court summons, or eviction hearing notice, keep every page. Take photos of posted notices. Save texts, emails, rent receipts, inspection photos, repair requests, and payment records. Then call ALSC and say you have an eviction problem.
The Alaska Department of Law publishes landlord-tenant information and says it cannot give legal advice or represent private parties. It points tenants to Alaska Legal Services if they are low-income, and to the Alaska Bar lawyer referral service if they need a private lawyer.
The Alaska Court System explains that a landlord cannot legally remove a tenant without a court order. It also lists different notice periods based on the reason for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, the court page says the tenant gets at least 7 days to move out or pay rent, with more time if the notice is mailed.
If you need rent, shelter, or utility help while dealing with the legal issue, use our Alaska housing help guide and transportation help if you cannot get to court or appointments.
SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and benefits appeals
Legal help is often needed when benefits are denied, delayed, lowered, stopped, or not processed on time. This can include SNAP, Medicaid, cash assistance, child care assistance, disability-related benefits, or other public programs.
AlaskaLawHelp has a fair hearing guide for public benefits. It says you can file if your application was denied, your benefits were lowered or stopped, or the Division of Public Assistance has not processed paperwork on time. It also says most benefit appeals must be filed within 30 days from the notice, while SNAP fair hearing requests can be filed within 90 days. A delay can be appealed anytime.
For Medicaid questions, the Alaska Medicaid member portal lists the Division of Public Assistance Virtual Contact Center at 800-478-7778 for application, eligibility, and card questions. It also lists the Medicaid member hotline at 800-780-9972.
For more help with health coverage, see our Alaska health care guide. For cash aid, see Alaska TANF help.
Special legal help paths
Some legal problems need a specific organization, not just general legal aid.
- Immigration: The Alaska Institute provides immigration legal services and support for immigrant and refugee communities, including survivors of violence and human trafficking. Immigration advice should come from a qualified immigration legal provider.
- Disability rights: The Disability Law Center is Alaska’s protection and advocacy organization for people with disabilities. It may help with disability-related legal issues.
- Alaska Native and tribal issues: The Alaska Native Justice Center works with Alaska Tribes and justice systems and lists services for tribal justice and victim support.
- Mental health and crisis support: If legal stress is affecting your health, our Alaska mental health page can help you find support.
Documents and information to gather
You may not need every item on this list. Gather what fits your issue and keep copies. If you do not have something, still ask for help.
| Issue | Helpful documents | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Custody or support | Existing orders, parenting plan, child support notices, proof of income, child care costs, school records, safe contact information | Forms often ask about income, custody schedule, child expenses, and current court orders. |
| Eviction or rent dispute | Lease, Notice to Quit, court papers, rent receipts, repair requests, photos, messages, payment plan offers | Deadlines and defenses depend on the notice, payment history, housing condition, and court papers. |
| Benefits appeal | Denial notice, case number, application date, recertification proof, screenshots, medical records if relevant, proof you submitted forms | Appeals often turn on notices, deadlines, and proof of what you sent. |
| Safety or protective order | Court forms, police reports if any, photos, messages, safe address needs, advocate notes if available | An advocate or lawyer can help you decide what is safe and useful to share. |
| Consumer debt | Court summons, debt letters, account statements, payment records, wage garnishment papers | Debt cases have court deadlines. Do not ignore a summons. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the hearing day. Call legal aid or the court as soon as you get papers.
- Using old forms. Use court pages and official portals, not random form sites.
- Missing appeal deadlines. Benefits notices may give only a short time to ask for a hearing.
- Relying on verbal deals. Custody, support, rent, and payment agreements should be handled carefully and kept in writing.
- Using an unsafe email. If abuse or stalking is involved, ask an advocate about safer communication choices.
What to do if you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
| What happened | Next step | What to keep |
|---|---|---|
| ALSC cannot take your case | Ask for referrals to a clinic, Free Legal Answers, the Alaska Bar, or another legal program. | Intake date, staff name, referrals, and your case deadline. |
| Court form is confusing | Call the Self-Help Center and ask which packet fits your case. | Case number, form name, and notes from the call. |
| Benefits are delayed | Ask DPA about status and consider a fair hearing request if deadlines have passed. | Proof of application, notices, upload receipts, and call log. |
| You cannot get to court | Ask the court about your options before the hearing date. | Transportation barriers and any written request you submit. |
Phone scripts
Calling ALSC
“Hi, I am a single mother in Alaska and I need help with a civil legal problem. My issue is [custody/eviction/benefits/safety/debt]. My next deadline is [date]. Can I complete intake today, and what documents should I have ready?”
Calling the Family Law Self-Help Center
“Hi, I am not represented by a lawyer. I need to know which Alaska court forms fit my situation. My case is about [custody/support/divorce]. I have [new case/existing case] and my case number is [number, if any].”
Calling CSED
“Hi, I need help with an Alaska child support case. I want to [open a case/check payments/ask about modification/update contact information]. Can you tell me how to use the new portal and what information I need?”
Calling about benefits
“Hi, I received a notice about [SNAP/Medicaid/TANF/child care]. I disagree with it or my paperwork is delayed. What is my deadline to ask for a fair hearing, and how can I get proof that I filed?”
Backup options
If you cannot get a lawyer right away, still protect the deadline. Read the court notice, call the court clerk or Self-Help Center for procedure questions, and ask legal aid about clinics or brief advice.
If the legal issue is connected to food, rent, utilities, baby items, or household goods, you may need nonlegal help too. See our Alaska assistance guide and household help page for support that may reduce pressure while the legal issue is pending.
Resumen en español
Si necesita ayuda legal en Alaska, empiece con Alaska Legal Services Corporation para ayuda legal civil gratuita, el Centro de Ayuda de Derecho de Familia de la corte para formularios e información, y Alaska 2-1-1 si también necesita ayuda con vivienda, comida, transporte o seguridad.
Si está en peligro ahora, llame al 911. Si hay violencia doméstica, abuso sexual o acecho, hable con un programa local de apoyo antes de tomar pasos que puedan aumentar el riesgo. Este artículo es información general y no es consejo legal.
FAQ
Can single mothers get a free lawyer in Alaska?
Sometimes. Alaska Legal Services Corporation provides free civil legal help to eligible people, but it cannot accept every case. Apply as early as possible and tell them your deadline first.
Can the Alaska court help me fill out custody forms?
The Family Law Self-Help Center can give legal information, forms, and procedure help to people without lawyers. It cannot give legal advice, represent you, or tell you the best strategy.
Where do I apply for child support in Alaska?
Use the Alaska Child Support Enforcement Division. The state says its new CSED system is live and myAlaska is no longer used for child support services.
What should I do if I get an eviction notice?
Keep the notice, save proof of rent and repairs, and call ALSC quickly. Alaska courts say a landlord cannot legally remove a tenant without a court order.
Can I appeal a SNAP or Medicaid denial in Alaska?
Yes. AlaskaLawHelp says you can ask for a fair hearing if benefits are denied, reduced, stopped, or delayed. Many programs have a 30-day deadline, while SNAP has a 90-day deadline.
What if I am scared to file for a protective order?
Call 911 if you are in danger. If it is safe to do so, contact a local domestic violence or sexual assault advocate for safety-aware support before filing or printing forms.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.