Legal Services
House of Ruth Maryland’s Domestic Violence Legal Clinic provides free legal aid to help victims of intimate partner violence navigate the legal system and their rights. Our team can assist survivors in obtaining protective orders, divorce decrees, custody of their children, child support and more.
Where and How to Access Legal Help
You can access legal assistance by calling our 24 hour, confidential hotline at 410-889-7884, or by contacting one of the numbers below based on your location:
Baltimore City District Court: 410-235-7670
Catonsville District Court: 410-235-6370
Hyattsville District Court: 301-358-3761
Upper Marlboro Court: 240-206-6440
Montgomery County Circuit Court: 240-777-9077
Silver Spring District Court: 301-830-8098
Administration Building: 410-554-8463
Free Legal Services for Victims of Intimate Partner Violence
Our licensed attorneys can give you legal advice and may be able to represent you in court. The law offers various forms of protection to victims of intimate partner violence.
Through our legal clinic, you can seek help with:
- Legal information and advice
- Safety planning
- Help filling out petitions for protective orders and other court documents
- Information about how to prepare for a protective order hearing
- Representation in protective order and family law cases
- Preparation of Qualified Third Party Reports (document needed to break a residential list as a result of domestic violence)
- Assistance registering for Maryland’s Address Confidentiality Program
- Custody, divorce, child support, and/or alimony
- When dealing with domestic violence interferes with your job
- Pressing criminal charges against your abuser
Additional Legal Resources
People’s Law Library: A hub of legal information, self-help resources and referrals to legal aid
Judiciary Children & Family Video Library: Educational videos exploring the specific court processes of family law issues, such as custody, welfare, and domestic violence
Judiciary Family Court Help Centers: List of centers that can provide free support through and answer questions about family law processes
Judiciary Protective Order: Explains common questions about Protective Orders, from what they are to filing one and beyond
Commissioner’s Office: For filing interim protective orders and criminal charges
MAIN OFFICE
2201 Argonne Dr.
Baltimore, MD 21218
Phone: (410) 889-0840
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CENTER
2521 North Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21218