Pro Se Resource Center
Representing yourself in court is stressful enough. These free guides help you organize your evidence—so you can walk in prepared, not panicked. Each includes document checklists, common mistakes to avoid, and courtroom preparation tips.
Important: These guides are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. For legal advice about your specific case, consult with a licensed attorney or your local court's self-help center.
Choose Your Case Type
TCPA Robocall Claims
Sue for unwanted robocalls, recover $500-$1,500 per violation
Protective Orders
Restraining orders, orders of protection, domestic violence hearings
Insurance Claim Denials
Health, auto, home, and disability claim denial appeals
VA Disability Claims
Service-connected disability ratings, nexus letters, BVA appeals
HOA/Condo Disputes
Fine hearings, selective enforcement, CC&R violations, board disputes
Social Security Disability
SSDI/SSI denials, ALJ hearings, RFC opinions, five-step evaluation
Lemon Law Claims
Vehicle defect documentation, repair records, warranty disputes
Property Tax Appeals
Assessment challenges, comparable sales, tax board hearings
Professional License Defense
Board complaint responses, character references, remediation evidence
Code Enforcement
Violation responses, property photos, repair documentation, zoning disputes
Elder Abuse & Guardianship
APS reports, medical records, financial exploitation evidence, guardianship petitions
ADA Accessibility Claims
Barrier photos, accommodation requests, EEOC filings, web accessibility evidence
Whistleblower & Retaliation
Protected activity records, retaliation timeline, qui tam filings, SEC tips
What's in Each Guide
Document Checklist
Comprehensive list of documents you may need for your case type, organized by category.
Common Mistakes
Learn from others' mistakes. We cover the most common errors pro se litigants make with evidence.
Organization Tips
How to arrange your exhibits logically so judges can easily follow your case.
Courtroom Preparation
What to expect in court, how to present your exhibits, and general hearing tips.
How ExhibitPrep Helps Pro Se Litigants
Once you've gathered your documents using our guides, ExhibitPrep makes it easy to add professional exhibit labels.
Upload Your PDFs
Drag and drop your documents into ExhibitPrep
Choose Your Labels
Select letter or number labels, pick a style
Download & Print
Get professionally labeled exhibits instantly
See exactly how your exhibits look—pay only when you're ready to download
Cost Comparison
| Option | Cost | Time |
|---|---|---|
| ExhibitPrep Day Pass | $14.99 | Instant |
| Paralegal Services | $100-300 | 1-2 days |
| Attorney | $500+ | 3-5 days |
| Your Savings | $85-$485+ | Same day |
Additional Resources
Court Self-Help Centers
Many courts have free self-help centers with staff who can answer procedural questions (not legal advice).
Legal Aid Organizations
Free or low-cost legal help for people who qualify based on income. Search "[your state] legal aid".
Law Libraries
County law libraries are open to the public and often have librarians who can help you find resources.
Court Websites
Check your specific court's website for local rules about exhibit formatting and filing requirements.
Related Resources
Free Exhibit Stamping
3 free stamps for self-represented litigants
How to Label Exhibits
Numbers vs letters, state rules explained
Batch Exhibit Stamping
Label multiple documents at once
How to Stamp Exhibits
Step-by-step stamping tutorial
Plaintiff Exhibit Stamps
Yellow labels for plaintiffs
Defendant Exhibit Stamps
Gray labels for defendants
Label Your Documents
Use ExhibitPrep to add exhibit stamps
State-Specific Requirements
Each state has different rules for exhibit marking. Find your state's specific requirements:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pro se litigant?
A pro se litigant is someone who represents themselves in court without a lawyer. The term "pro se" comes from Latin meaning "for oneself." In federal courts, approximately 25% of civil cases involve at least one pro se party. Pro se litigants are responsible for following the same court rules and procedures as attorneys, including properly marking and organizing exhibits.
Do I need a lawyer or can I represent myself?
Whether to hire a lawyer depends on your case complexity, the amount of money involved, and your comfort with court procedures. Simple cases like small claims (under $5,000-$10,000 depending on state), uncontested divorces, or traffic appeals are commonly handled pro se. Complex cases involving significant assets, contested custody, or potential criminal penalties typically benefit from legal representation. Many courts offer free legal aid clinics where you can get advice even if you cannot afford a lawyer.
Which pro se guide should I use for my case?
Choose the guide that matches your case type: Small Claims Court for money disputes under your state limit, DIY Divorce for uncontested divorces, Custody & Support for child-related modifications, Eviction Defense if you received an eviction notice, Tenant Rights to sue landlords, Wage Claims for unpaid wages, Debt Defense for collection lawsuits, Traffic Appeals to contest tickets, TCPA Robocall Claims to sue for unwanted robocalls, Protective Orders for restraining orders and domestic violence hearings, Unemployment Appeals for benefit denial hearings, Insurance Claim Denials for coverage denial appeals, Workers' Compensation for workplace injury claims, VA Disability Claims for service-connected disability ratings, HOA/Condo Disputes for fine hearings and selective enforcement, Social Security Disability for SSDI/SSI denials and ALJ hearings, Lemon Law Claims for vehicle defect arbitration, Property Tax Appeals for assessment challenges, Professional License Defense for licensing board complaints and hearings, Code Enforcement for municipal violation notices and zoning disputes, Elder Abuse & Guardianship for APS reports and financial exploitation cases, ADA Accessibility Claims for disability discrimination and barrier complaints, or Whistleblower & Retaliation for qui tam, SOX, and Dodd-Frank claims. If you are unsure which category your case falls into, contact your local court clerk for guidance.
Are ExhibitPrep pro se guides completely free?
Yes. All pro se guides are completely free to download with no account required. Each guide includes a document checklist, organization tips, common mistakes to avoid, and courtroom preparation advice. ExhibitPrep only charges when you use the exhibit stamping tool to download labeled documents. The guides are provided free to help self-represented litigants prepare organized evidence for court.
How do I use a pro se guide effectively?
Start by downloading the guide for your case type and reading it completely before gathering documents. Use the checklist to identify which documents you have and which you need to obtain. Organize documents chronologically or by category using the tips provided. Follow the courtroom preparation section to understand how to present your exhibits to the judge. After gathering documents, use ExhibitPrep to add professional exhibit labels that make your evidence easy to follow. Bring 3 copies to court: one for you, one for the judge, and one for the other party.
Ready to Organize Your Exhibits?
Download a guide for your case type, gather your documents, and use ExhibitPrep to add professional labels. Preview free—pay only when you're ready to download.
Preview Your Exhibits Free →ExhibitPrep is a document labeling tool, not a law firm. For legal advice, consult a licensed attorney.