Self-Help Services

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

• CARE (Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment) Act Court Resources
  • Alameda County Superior Court's CARE Act Webpage
  • Click here for information about the CARE Act on the Judicial Council of California Website
  • Click here for information about the CARE Act from the California Health & Human Services Agency
  • Click here for information about CARE Court from Alameda Couty Behavioral Health and click here for mental health resources if the CARE Act requirements are not met
  • Click here to prepare your CARE Petition using a guided interview
• Divorce
  • Click here for information on the Alameda County divorce process
  • Click here for information on U.S. military status and default judgments
• Parentage
• Petition for Custody and Support
  • 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
• Petition for Stepparent Adoption to Confirm Parentage
• Restraining Orders: Domestic Violence; Civil Harassment; Elder Abuse; Workplace Violence (limited assistance)
  • 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
• Name & Gender Change
• Small Claims
  • 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 to prepare your Small Claims Plaintiff's Claim using a guided interview
• Unlawful Detainer
  • 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 if you are a landlord to prepare the Eviction complaint (for an Unlawful Detainer court case) using a guided interview
  • Click here if you are a tenant to prepare your Eviction answer (in response to an Unlawful Detainer court case) using a guided interview
• Limited Conservatorship
  • Click here for more information about our workshops
  • Haga clic aquípara obtener más información sobre nuestros talleres.
• Guardianship of the Minor
  • Click here for more information about our workshops
  • Haga clic aquí para obtener más información sobre nuestros talleres.
• Debt Collection (limited assistance)
  • 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
• Fee Waivers

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

(510) 272-1393

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.

NOTE: If you do not see the LiveChat Widget, click this to try again.

Click here and find the LiveChat Widget at bottom right corner

Workshops available

Start Divorce/Legal Separation/Annulment case

• The next workshop will be on May 7, 2025 at 1:30PM.  Contact us for an appointment.

Financial Disclosures

• The next workshops will be on April 16, 2025 and May 21, 2025 at 1:30PM. Contact us for an appointment.

Start Small Claims

• The next workshops will be on April 30, 2025 and May 28, 2025 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.

(510) 272-1393

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.