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
  • Learn about the CARE Act on the Judicial Council of California Website
  • Information and resources on the CARE Act and helping someone with a severe mental illness on the California Courts Self-Help Guide
  • Information about the CARE Act from the California Health & Human Services Agency
  • Information about CARE Court from Alameda County Behavioral Health and mental health resources if the CARE Act requirements are not met
  • Prepare your CARE Petition using a guided interview
• Divorce 
  • Information on Divorce in California on the California Courts Self-Help Guide
  • Learn about the Alameda County divorce process
  • Information on U.S. military status and default judgments
• Parentage
  • Information on Parentage in California on the California Courts Self-Help Guide
• Petition for Custody and Support
  • Information about child custody and visitation on the California Courts Self-Help Guide
  • Learn about child support on the California Courts Self-Help Guide
  • Information on starting a child support case with the Local Child Support Agency
  • Complete an enrollment form to start a case with the Local Child Support Agency
• Petition for Stepparent Adoption to Confirm Parentage
  • Information on Petitions for Stepparent Adoption to Confirm Parentage on the California Courts Self-Help Guide
• Restraining Orders: Domestic Violence; Civil Harassment; Elder Abuse; Workplace Violence (limited assistance)
  • Learn about Restraining Orders on the California Courts Self-Help Guide
    • Information about Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
    • Information about Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
    • Information about Elder Abuse Restraining Orders
    • Information about Workplace Violence Restraining Orders
  • Next steps after completing Temporary Restraining Order forms in Alameda County
  • Proximos pasos después de completar los formularios de Orden de restricción temporal en el Condado de Alameda
  • Watch a video on Serving Your Civil Harassment Restraining Order Court Forms
• Name & Gender Change
  • Learn about the name change process on the California Courts Self-Help Guide
  • Information about Court orders to recognize change of gender on the California Courts Self-Help Guide
• Small Claims
  • Learn about small claims on the California Courts Self-Help Guide
  • Information to know before you sue someone (if you sue someone, you are the Plaintiff)
  • Information if you've been sued (if you are sued, you are the Defendant)
  • Learn about collecting your judgment if you win your Small Claims case
  • Watch a video on Serving Your Small Claims Forms
  • Watch a video on how to prepare for your Small Claims hearing
  • Prepare your Small Claims Plaintiff's Claim using a guided interview
• Unlawful Detainer
  • Learn about unlawful detainer on the California Courts Self-Help Guide
  • Information on the general overview of the Eviction (Unlawful Detainer) process
  • Information for landlords to prepare the Eviction complaint (for an Unlawful Detainer court case) using a guided interview
  • Prepare your Eviction answer  (in response to an Unlawful Detainer court case) using a guided interview
• Limited Conservatorship 
  • Learn about limited conservatorships on the California Courts Self-Help Guide
  • Information about our workshops 
  • Aprende más sobre nuestros talleres
• Guardianship of the Minor
  • Learn about guardianship of the minor on the California Courts Self-Help Guide
  • Information about our workshops
  • Aprende más sobre nuestros talleres 
• Debt Collection (limited assistance)
  • Learn about debt lawsuits on the California Courts Self-Help Guide
  • Information if you've been sued for a debt that you may or may not owe (if you are sued, you are the Defendant)
  • 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
  • Learn about fee waivers on the California Courts Self-Help Guide

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.
  • Information on Civil cases in California 
  • Information to know before you sue someone and the steps to sue someone (if you sue someone, you are the Plaintiff)
  • 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.

Access the LiveChat Support Widget at the bottom right corner

Workshops available

Start Divorce/Legal Separation/Annulment case

• The next workshop will be  March 4, 2026 and April 1, 2026 at 1:30PM.  Contact us for an appointment.

Financial Disclosures

• The next workshops will be on March 18, 2026 and April 15, 2026 at 1:30PM. Contact us for an appointment.

Start Small Claims

• The next workshops will be March 25, 2026 and April 28, 2026 at 1:30PM. Contact us for an appointment.
• 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.