The following instructions and forms are provided by the Alabama State Bar Committee on Pro Se Forms. All instructions and PS forms are Copyright 2008 Alabama State Bar. Other forms are Alabama UJS forms from the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts.

* All forms marked with a star (*) are fillable - you can open them and fill them out right on your computer - just hit your Tab key to start typing in the blanks. Move your mouse arrow over the blank lines in most of the forms for tips to help fill them out.

A PDF Reader is required to open these forms.

Housing

* Form PS-01 with Instructions: Answer to Landlord's Claim - Residential Eviction/Unlawful Detainer

If your landlord is trying to evict you and you disagree with the eviction, read this form and follow the steps on it to try to stop the eviction.

Remember, the deadline is 7 days after the date you got the Statement of Claim.

Consumer Issues

Garnishment

* Form PS-13: Request to Stop Garnishment of Bank Account

Form to be used to request that a Court stop Garnishment of money from your bank account.

Form PS-20: Declaration and Claim of Exemption for Wages (Request to Protect Wages)

If a garnishment has been filed against you, but you cannot pay for your basic living expenses and pay the judgment, you may use this form to ask the Court to protect your paycheck. (This form is not for judgments related to child support, personal injury, or car accidents.)

Other Forms You May Need

* Form PS-18: Request to Continue Trial

Form to be used to request to continue or postpone or "put off" a trial.

* Form PS-19: Answer to Complaint

Do NOT use this form for Evictions OR Divorces

If you are being sued, a Plaintiff listed you in the Complaint. If you disagree with the Plaintiff's claims, you must fill out and deliver this Answer by the deadline. You must also tell the court how you want to handle the case. Please read the form for more information.

Families & Children

Child Custody

Instructions: How to Change a Custody or Visitation Order

Instructions for asking an Alabama court to change a child custody or visitation order.

* Form PS-07: Request to Change the Current Custody or Visitation Order

Please read "How to Change a Custody or Visitation Order" above before using this form.

* Form PS-05: First Petition for Child Custody

Use this form only if this is the FIRST custody order for your children. To CHANGE an order, use form PS-07 above.

Important! You MUST file this form in the same county where the children live.

Child Support

Instructions: How to Change a Child Support Order

Instructions for asking an Alabama court for a new child support order.

* Form PS-02: Request to Change Child Support

Please read "How to Change a Child Support Order" above before using this form.

Divorce

Please note: For an Uncontested Divorce in Alabama, you will probably have to file additional forms depending on where you live. You can see sample lists of the required forms at the Madison County Clerk's website and the Shelby County Clerk's website. You should always contact your local Circuit Clerk for information on what forms you need in addition to the ones below.

* Form PS-08: Divorce Complaint

This form can be used to file for Divorce when there are NO minor children and NO assets or debts for the Court to divide.

* Form PS-09: Plaintiff's Testimony

Form to be used for the Plaintiff's Testimony in a Divorce when there are NO minor children and NO assets or debts for the Court to divide.

* Form PS-10: Request for Divorce Judgment by Default

Form to be used to Request a Default Judgment in a Divorce when there are NO minor children and NO assets or debts for the Court to divide.

* Form PS-21: Answer to Divorce Complaint

This form can be used by the Defendant in a Divorce to Answer the Complaint.

Guardianship

* Form PS-11: Request to be Guardian of an Intellectually Disabled Adult Relative

Parents and brothers or sisters who care for an intellectually disabled relative in their home may use this form to ask the Court to be appointed guardian so they may continue to care for their relative. You must provide a medical report, describing your relative's intellectual disability and ability to care for himself or herself, to the Court in addition to this form.

* Form PS-17: Notice of Possible Incompetency

Notice to file with a court of possible incompetency of a person

Juveniles

* Form PS-16: Request to Be Considered an Adult (By a Minor who is 18 years old)

This form asks the court to declare an 18-year old an adult. The 18-year old minor must live in the county where the form is filed with the court.

* Form PS-14: Request to Send a Child or Minor to the Department of Mental Health

This form asks the court to send a person under the age of 19 to the Alabama Department of Mental Health.

Name Change

* Form PS-12: Request to Change Name For An Adult

You can use this form to ask a Court to change your name. You will need a certified copy of your birth certificate and a copy of your photo ID.

Visitation

Instructions: How to Ask for Visitation

Instructions for asking an Alabama court for visitation with a minor child.

* Form PS-06: Petition for Visitation

Please read "How to Ask for Visitation" above before using this form.

Instructions: How to Change a Custody or Visitation Order

Instructions for asking an Alabama court to change a child custody or visitation order.

* Form PS-07: Request to Change the Current Custody or Visitation Order

Please read "How to Change a Custody or Visitation Order" above before using this form.

Paternity

Instructions: Who is the legal father?

Instructions for asking an Alabama court to establish paternity of a child.

* Form PS-04: Petition to Establish Paternity

Please read "Who is the legal father?" above before using this form.

Families & Children - Additional Forms

* Form PS-03: Request for Contempt Hearing

If the other parent has disobeyed a court order related to the children, such as:

you may ask for a contempt hearing. This is the form to use to ask for this hearing. It also contains additional instructions.

Other Forms You May Need

* Form C-10A: Affidavit of Substantial Hardship

If you ask the court for any of the following, you also may need to file this form.

* Form CS-47: Child Support Information Sheet

If you file to change a custody or visitation order, you will also need to file this form.

* Form CS-41: Child Support Obligation Income Statement/Affidavit

If you file to change a child support order, you will also need to file this form.

Additional Forms Are Available

Additional Alabama forms are available at Alabama Administrative Office of Courts E-FORMS.

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Reviewed March 2013

AlabamaLegalHelp.org offers legal information, not legal advice. We try hard to make sure this website accurately explains your rights and options. However, the site does not apply the law to your personal facts. For this sort of legal advice, you should call a lawyer. To apply for free legal services in Alabama, call the Legal Services Alabama office that is closest to where you live OR call toll-free 1-866-456-4995. You can also apply online at intake.alsp.org.