Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center

I am horrified at my experience working with the people at the Upper Cumberland Family Justice Center. I came here to file an Order of a protection against my abuser and it was a fairly simple process, explain what happened and write it down, sign it, a judge granted me an emergency order so I was protected until our court date a week later. The order stated that myself and my children were covered and not to be contacted by their father under any circumstances. I moved in with my parents a county over. The family justice center assured me that they would write a referral for me for legal aid, the lady also told me that Legal aid would stop taking cases soon so I was happy we got that referral in right away. I was also told I would have an advocate with me when I showed up to court to face my abuser. The family justice center also reported the situation to CPS, which the case was immediately closed, but still added a lot of stress to my current situation. No advocate showed up to court for me. When my abuser got a lawyer and it was continued, I immediately called the Justice center to let them know I would be needing a lawyer from legal aid for sure since the abuser got a lawyer. They told me they never filed the referral, so a week before my second court date, the justice center said they would set me up and appointment to see if legal aid would even take my case or not. How is a single mom supposed to afford a lawyer if legal aid decided not to take my case? Or how is a single mom supposed to face her abuser and his attorney by themselves without a lawyer? They were hands off, recommending me to call every lawyer around and see if they could do a pro-bono. What a waste of time that was, no lawyer has any help for free. My abuser contacted me multiple times and they always directed me to contact the police but the police told me since he was not threatening me again there was nothing they could do! Even with a court order showing them he is NOT supposed to contact me, he never was arrested. These people do not care whatsoever, and youre better off figuring something else out unless you want CPS knocking at your door for the sole fact kids were involved in leaving my abuser, nobody enforcing a no contact order, and no help from legal aid because they have too many cases. Nobody helped me with a housing situation except directed me to a local shelter which was at capacity. No emergency housing in this area for abused woman. I dont see the point of this place even being open.
Sep 15th, 2023

Very kind and helpful
Nov 10th, 2022

Oct 14th, 2019

Very helpful I'm very thankful for the help they are providing us with
Oct 2nd, 2019

Sep 6th, 2019