Self-Help Services

If you do not have an attorney, the Self-Help Center and Family Law Facilitator staff and volunteers may be able to assist you with procedural information and instruction on completing forms.

Services we offer

We help people who need legal information but don't have a lawyer. We can answer questions about your case, help you figure out which forms you need and how to fill them out, and explain different legal options. Our staff don't give legal advice (we can tell you how to do something but we can't tell you what choice you should make) and we are not your attorneys. We may refer you to a private attorney or another resource depending on your situation. Our services are free of charge.

NOTE: We can only provide information and assistance with matters in California, and sometimes only in Alameda County. If you have a case in another state, we cannot assist you with that case.

Case types we can help with

• Divorce
  • Click here for information on the Alameda County divorce process
  • Click here for information on U.S. military status and default judgments
  • Click here for information to start a child support case with the Local Child Support Agency
  • Click here to complete an enrollment form to start a case with the Local Child Support Agency
  • Click here for next steps after completing Temporary Restraining Order forms in Alameda County
  • Haga clic aquí para conocer los próximos pasos después de completar los formularios de Orden de restricción temporal en el condado de Alameda
  • Click hereto watch a video on Serving Your Civil Harassment Restraining Order Court Forms
  • Click here for information to know before you sue someone (if you sue someone, you are the Plaintiff)
  • Click here for information if you’ve been sued (if you are sued, you are the Defendant)
  • Click here for information about collecting your judgment if you win your Small Claims case
  • Click here to watch a video on Serving Your Small Claims Forms
  • Click here for information about free early mediation services for your housing related conflict.
  • Haga clic aquí para obtener más información sobre servicios gratuitos de mediación temprana para su conflicto relacionado con la vivienda.
  • Click here for more information about our workshops
  • Haga clic aquípara obtener más información sobre nuestros talleres.
  • Click here for more information about our workshops
  • Haga clic aquí para obtener más información sobre nuestros talleres.
  • Click here for information if you’ve been sued for a debt that you may or may not owe (if you are sued, you are the Defendant)
  • Click here for the Answer packet with instructions if you've been sued and want to respond to the Complaint
  • See More Resources below for Consumer Debt Clinic

  Information about civil cases

  • General Civil Cases*NOTE: The Self-Help Center does not assist with general civil cases. This section provides information that may be helpful to guide you if you have questions about a general civil case. You are encouraged to seek legal advice if you need additional assistance.
    • Click here for information on Civil cases in California
    • Click here for information to know before you sue someone and click here for the steps to sue someone (if you sue someone, you are the Plaintiff)
    • Click here for information if you’ve been sued (if you are sued, you are the Defendant)

    How to get help

    Drop-in services are currently suspended but you may contact us via LiveChat or phones to be screened for an in-person or remote appointment.

    Call us

    Monday - Thursday, 2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M.

    Voicemails can only be left during phone hours. Calls are returned within 5 business days.

    Chat with us

    LiveChat Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.

    Click the widget located on the bottom right corner of this page during our LiveChat hours. We may stop taking new chats before the stated hours once we reach capacity.

    Workshops available

    Start Divorce/Legal Separation/Annulment case

    • The next workshop will be on September 11, 2024 at 1:30PM. Contact us for an appointment.
    • The next workshops will be on August 14, 2024, August 26, 2024, and September 18, 2024 at 1:30PM. Contact us for an appointment.

    Start Small Claims

    • The next workshops will be on August 21, 2024 and September 25, 2024 at 1:30PM. Contact us for an appointment.
    • Click hereto watch a video on Serving Your Small Claims Forms

    Workshops and appointments available for those who need Language Assistance.

    Please call us Monday - Thursday, 2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. to be scheduled for a workshop or appointment.

    Forms @ home

    "Law Help Interactive (LHI)" allows you to complete online interviews for certain types of legal actions. Once the interview is complete the required forms may be printed. Once printed, the forms may be submitted to the Court for filing.

    Contact Us

    • Monday-Thursday, 9AM-12PM
    • Call: (510) 272-1393, Mon-Thurs, 2PM-4PM
    • Voicemails can only be left during phone hours.
    • Messages are returned within 5 business days.
    • English flyer
    • Folleto Español
    • ZoomGov Instructions (TRO/Family Law)
    • ZoomGov Instructions (Small Claims/CHRO)
    • Instrucciones de ZoomGov (Orden de Restriccion/Derecho de Familia)
    • Instrucciones de ZoomGov (Reclamos Menores/Orden de Restriccion )
    • California Courts Self-Help Center
    • Centro de Ayuda
    • Lawyers in the Library Assistance Program
    • Judicial Council Forms
    • Self Help Guide