Choose the exact case type and court before filing. Court self-help information and a referral do not establish an attorney-client relationship.
Court fees, service requirements, response deadlines and exceptions depend on the current procedure. A link is an informational starting point, not a complete filing workflow.
Court branches, clerk windows, telephone assistance and remote appearances may have different instructions. Check the cited official page for the applicable channel.
Official local court information and resources for this specific subject. Confirm the applicable case type, filing channel and current instructions with the court.
Local Family Court Frequently Asked Questions — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
We suggest that all legal documents be filed electronically. You may select an E-File service provider of your choice, many of whom are listed on our web site at this link. There you will find useful instructions as well as at File @ Home. Persons who are unable to file documents electronically may file by mail, by using the drop box, or in person at any courthouse location. The mailing address is: Monterey County Superior Court, Clerk's Office, 1200 Aguajito Road, Monterey, CA 93940. Drop boxes are located in the front of both the Salinas and the Monterey Court houses.
Official local court information and resources for this specific subject. Confirm the applicable case type, filing channel and current instructions with the court.
Local Small Claims — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
All Small Claims documents are filed at the Monterey Courthouse at 1200 Aguajito Rd Monterey CA 93940. All Hearings are heard at the Marina courthouse at 3180 Del Monte Blvd Marina Ca 93933. We encourage the use of the efile online filings system.
Official local court information and resources for this specific subject. Confirm the applicable case type, filing channel and current instructions with the court.
Local Probate — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
Probate is the court-supervised process by which your assets are distributed and debts are paid after your death.
The official court page specifically describes this subject and its available information. Consult its current instructions for your situation.
Local Eviction/Unlawful Detainer — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
The Superior Court of Monterey County has partnered with the Monterey College of Law and Mandell-Gisnet Center for Conflict Management to offer mediation for Small Claims and Unlawful Detainer (eviction) cases before filing, after filing, or on the day of trial. The program is voluntary and at no cost to the litigants, but is only available if both parties are self-represented.
Local Eviction/Unlawful Detainer — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
Requests for mediation prior to the trial date may be done by completing a Request for Mediation – Unlawful Detainer and faxing to the ADR Coordinator at the Monterey College of Law at 831-582-4095 or by email at courtadr@mandellgisnetcenter.org. For more information, call the Monterey College of Law at 831-582-5234.
Reviewed local Eviction / unlawful detainer subject context
The Superior Court of Monterey County has partnered with the Monterey College of Law and Mandell-Gisnet Center for Conflict Management to offer mediation for Small Claims and Unlawful Detainer (eviction) cases before filing, after filing, or on the day of trial. The program is voluntary and at no cost to the litigants, but is only available if both parties are self-represented.
Official local court entrance for the specifically named information, filing channel or self-help referral. Consult the current instructions for your procedure.
Local Restraining-order self-help; this statement does not establish a complete filing workflow
Help for people who need legal information but do not have a lawyer. Visit or contact the Self-Help Center to get information on family law, restraining orders, evictions, small claims, and other issues.
Help for people who need legal information but do not have a lawyer. Visit or contact the Self-Help Center to get information on family law, restraining orders, evictions, small claims, and other issues.
Read this Superior Court’s named legal-service referrals or procedural self-help information. Independent providers decide their own eligibility and appointments. Court self-help information does not create an attorney-client relationship or promise representation.
Service area: Monterey County — local court legal-information/referral context. Area details & sources
Monterey Superior Court source; named provider or directory referral. Source page subject limits apply.
Court-listed legal-help resource. Check the cited court page for the named provider or directory. The provider decides current services, subject and area coverage, financial eligibility and intake; a referral does not establish representation.
Shared California Courts self-help guidance, available for all 58 California county court contexts; local procedures and individual circumstances vary.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
You probably know what divorce means. In California, the legal word for divorce is dissolution.
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
Dissolution is the legal process to end a marriage or domestic partnership. It includes both divorce and a simpler option called summary dissolution. In some cases, people may choose a different legal process, like legal separation or annulment.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
Small claims court allows you to sue a person, business, or government agency that you think owes you money. Generally, you can only sue for up to $12,500 in small claims court (or up to $6,250 if you’re a business). You can ask a lawyer for advice before you go to court, but you can't have one with you in court.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
Get basic information and links to sample legal documents (like a will or a power of attorney) to have a plan if you or someone you love becomes sick or dies.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
If you need a restraining order, first find out what type of restraining order you need. Your court's self-help center ↗️ (link opens in a new tab) can help if you're not sure. Once you know, select that type to find the type of protection it offers, how to ask for one, and how to renew or enforce it.
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
If someone asked for a restraining order against you, choose the type of restraining order they asked for below to find out more about your options. The forms you got have the name of the type of restraining order listed on them.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
If you already changed your name and need a copy of a court order, contact the court where your case was filed.
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
This guide explains the eviction process (called unlawful detainer) for residential evictions only. It includes steps for:
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
There are a number of resources that may be able to help you with free and low-cost legal help
Shared California Courts Self-Help Guide. Read the instructions for your situation and check the local court requirements.
Service area: California statewide self-help information; this is one shared guide, not a separate local provider in each county. Area details & sources
Shared statewide guidance; local procedures, case types and exceptions may differ
In most cases, you have to pay a fee to file papers with the court. If you can’t afford court fees, you can ask the court for a fee waiver.
California Courts referrals to tenant-rights guidance, local legal information, housing resources and the appropriate state agencies.
Service area: Shared California statewide tenant information and official resource referrals; local laws and individual eligibility vary. Area details & sources
California Courts resource referral; confirm the services offered by the actual local court
Each court has a self-help center that offers free legal information. Find out from your local court what type of services they offer.
The California Attorney General’s information about renter protections, habitability, lockouts, discrimination and other landlord/tenant issues. Statutory exceptions and local rules affect protections.
Service area: Shared California statewide tenant information and official resource referrals; local laws and individual eligibility vary. Area details & sources
DOJ guidance on checking additional local tenant protections; no determination that a particular tenancy is covered
In addition to the statewide requirement that landlords have just cause before evicting a tenant, local laws may offer additional protections to residential tenants. Tenants and landlords should consult local resources to see whether their city or county has rules that may offer additional tenant protections.
DOJ referral for unresolved housing-condition concerns; contact the actual local code-enforcement or health authority
If a landlord refuses to make repairs, tenants should contact their local code enforcement office or local health department. Cities or counties may also have their own rent board or rent control program that deals with building health and safety.
As a tenant, knowing your rights is critical. Under California law, residential tenants are protected from certain rent increases and may be protected from certain types of evictions.
The Department of Real Estate’s official landing page for the 2026 California Tenants guide, with English and Spanish document links.
Service area: Shared California statewide tenant information and official resource referrals; local laws and individual eligibility vary. Area details & sources
DRE landing-page description of its informational guide
This guide is intended for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.
California Civil Rights Department information on fair-housing protections, reasonable accommodations, prohibited retaliation and housing-discrimination resources.
Service area: Shared California statewide tenant information and official resource referrals; local laws and individual eligibility vary. Area details & sources
Current Civil Rights Department fair-housing information; the webpage lists the complete protected characteristics and applicable exceptions
The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) is responsible for enforcing state fair housing laws that make it illegal to discriminate against or harass someone because of a protected characteristic, such as their gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion.