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Civil Self-Help Center (CSHC)

About Civil Self-Help Center (CSHC)

The Civil Self-Help Center assists with the following matters on a walk-in basis:

  • Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
  • Elder Abuse Restraining Orders
  • Answer to Unlawful Detainer/Eviction (residential tenancies only)
  • Answer to Debt Collection Lawsuit
  • Reschedule Your Court Date

Walk-in hours (first come, first served):
Monday – Thursday: 8:30am – 12:00pm
*Must take a ticket from the kiosk before 11:00am.

The Civil Self-Help Center assists with the following only by appointment:

  • Other Unlawful Detainer/Eviction questions (residential tenancies only)
  • Small Claims cases
  • Name Change/Gender Recognition
  • CARE Act Petitions

How to schedule an appointment:

Calls and emails are generally returned within 72 hours.

The Civil Self-Help Center does not help with the following issues:

  • Appeals cases
  • Contempt of court
  • Discovery (depositions, subpoenas, interrogatories, etc.)
  • Evidentiary issues
  • Case Management Statements
  • Serving your legal documents for you
  • Commercial evictions
  • Lawsuits seeking more than $12,500 (limited or unlimited civil cases)
  • Lawsuits seeking possession of personal property
  • Complex litigation cases
  • Other areas of law (family law, criminal, probate, traffic, etc.)
OTHER RESOURCES FOR HELP WITH CIVIL MATTERS:
Sonoma County Superior Court Civil Clerk’s Office
3055 Cleveland Avenue, Santa Rosa 95403
Link to Local Forms Packets

• Forms packets for Civil Harassment Restraining Orders, Elder Abuse Restraining Orders, name and/or gender change, evictions and small claims.
Legal Aid of Sonoma County
144 South E Street, Santa Rosa 95404
Link to Legal Aid Sonoma County

• Free legal help with Elder Abuse Restraining Orders, Civil Harassment Restraining Orders*, evictions*, small claims* and debt collection*.
*To receive these services, you must be low income.
Sonoma County Public Law Library
2604 Ventura Avenue, Santa Rosa 95403
Link to Sonoma County Law Library

• Free access to legal books and other reference materials regarding civil law topics.

The Civil Self-Help Center can help you by providing legal information and assistance. We understand that the legal process can often feel overwhelming and stressful. However, we are here to support you with a team of dedicated legal professionals committed to providing exceptional, accessible, and fair justice services for everyone.

Staff at the CSHC can provide legal assistance and information to help you represent yourself in your civil court case.

It is important to note that the services offered are limited, and Self-help staff have specific restrictions on what they can assist with.
  • They are not your attorneys.
  • They cannot give you legal advice.
  • They do not go with you to court.
  • They are not responsible for the outcome of your case.
  • Services at the CSHC are not confidential.
  • There is no attorney-client relationship between you and any staff member.
  • Services at the CSHC are neutral.
  • Staff may assist both sides of a case.

Should you need assistance beyond what we can provide, you should hire an attorney for legal advice, strategy, or representation in court.

Self-Help Center staff are please to:

  • Answer general questions regarding civil cases.
  • Send you blank forms and filing instructions for most Small Claims, Civil Harassment, and Evictions/Unlawful Detainer issues.
  • Help you complete forms for the following civil law issues:
    • Small Claims.
    • Civil Harassment Restraining Orders.
    • Workplace Violence Restraining Orders.
    • Elder Abuse Restraining Orders.
    • Evictions/Unlawful Detainer.
    • Debt Collections.
    • Name Change.
    • CARE Act

Civil Self-Help Online Resource Links

If you are a self-represented litigant, you can begin completing your forms online.  The below programs are available 24/7.  

In partnership with the California Judicial Council and LawHelp Interactive, we are pleased to provide you with links to begin preparing your legal documents online.  We strongly recommend that you create an account to begin completing the paperwork so you do not lose the work that you have started.  

Below you can start your case in a number of areas.  We recommend you follow-up with the self-help center to review your paperwork before filing.  Please note: the court cannot access your account, and the program does not file your documents for you.

Civil Self Help Online Resources

  • Civil Harassment Restraining Order

    Requesting a Civil Harassment Restraining Order can be an overwhelming process, but we are here to help.  A civil harassment restraining order is a court order that helps protect people from abuse or threats of abuse.  We recommend that you follow-up with the Self-Help Center to review your paperwork before filing.

    CLICK HERE

  • Civil Harassment Restraining Order Response

    Responding to a Civil Harassment Restraining Order can be an overwhelming process, but we are here to help.  A civil harassment restraining order is a court order that helps protect people from abuse or threats of abuse.  We recommend that you follow-up with the Self-Help Center to review your paperwork before filing.

    CLICK HERE

  • Elder Abuse Restraining Order

    Requesting an Elder Abuse Restraining Order can be an overwhelming process, but we are here to help.  An Elder Abuse Restraining Order is a court order that helps protect people from abuse or threats of abuse.  We recommend that you follow-up with the Self-Help Center to review your paperwork before filing.

    CLICK HERE

  • Elder Abuse Restraining Order Response

    Responding to an Elder Abuse Restraining Order can be an overwhelming process but we are here to help.  An Elder Abuse Restraining Order is a court order that helps protect people from abuse or threats of abuse.  We recommend that you follow-up with the Self-Help Center to review your paperwork before filing.

    CLICK HERE

  • Eviction/Unlawful Detainer Complaint Landlord

    This program will help a landlord fill out forms necessary to file a complaint for an Unlawful Detainer against a tenant. Starting an Unlawful Detainer complaint can be confusing, but we are here to help.  We recommend that you follow-up with the Self-Help Center to review your paperwork before filing. 

    CLICK HERE

  • Unlawful Detainer Answer Tenant

    Starting an Unlawful Detainer Answer can be confusing, but we are here to help.  We recommend you follow-up with your Self-Help Center to review your paperwork before filing. 

    CLICK HERE

  • Name Change

    A Name Change Petition will request a court order to legally change your name or minor's name.  With a court order you can change your legal name on government issued identification documents such as your driver's license, passport, and social security card.  You will generally need a certified copy of the decree changing your name.  After you complete your paperwork, we recommend you visit the self-help center to review your documents before filing.

    CLICK HERE

See the CSHC services FAQs and answers below.

You can download forms at the following web sites. Click on the links below:

  1. Sonoma County Forms Packets: The Sonoma County Superior Court provides fillable forms that can be printed after you complete them on your computer. Scroll down to “Family Law Forms Packets” and select the appropriate packet from the list.
  2. Judicial Council Forms: The Judicial Council of California provides fillable forms that can be printed after you complete them on your computer.
  3. Self-Help Assistance and Referral Program: Court Supported Self-Help Center that provides free assistance to self-represented people (litigants) who do not have attorneys.
  4. Odyssey Guide & File: This is a free online forms preparation program. Answer a series of questions and forms are generated at the end of the interview.

Legal Aid of Sonoma County

General: (707) 542-1290
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders: (707) 595-6295
Elder Abuse Restraining Orders (707) 340-5610

California Rural Legal Assistance

General: (707) 528-9941
Free Legal Services – Information, legal advice and assistance for low-income individuials

Sonoma County Bar Association

(707) 546-5297
Lawyer Referral Services – For a $50 fee, you will receive a 30-minute consultation with an experienced attorney. There is no obligation to retain the attorney following that consultation, but if you choose to do so, the fee for representation is negotiated directly between you and that attorney.

Helpful Websites & Resources

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