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 Law — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
Family law issues include dissolution which is commonly known as a divorce, legal separation, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support and domestic violence restraining orders. For more specific information click on the links above.
Local Family Law — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
Typically when you have been served with a Petition or Request for Orders, you will also be served with a blank Response form. If you want help completing the forms, the Self-Help Center has packets with instructions available at the courthouse. The blank forms can also be found on the California Courts website.
Official local court information and resources for this specific subject. Confirm the applicable case type, filing channel and current instructions with the court.
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 process of administering the estate of a deceased person by resolving all claims and distributing the deceased person's property under a will. A probate matter interprets the instructions of the deceased, decides the executor as the personal representative of the estate and adjudicates the interests of heirs and other parties who may have claims against the estate.
Official local court information and resources for this specific subject. Confirm the applicable case type, filing channel and current instructions with the court.
Local Domestic Violence — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
There are several types of restraining orders: domestic violence, civil harassment, workplace violence and elder or dependent adult abuse. This page contains information about domestic violence restraining orders. Find information about the other types of restraining order on the California Courts website.
Local restraining-orders instructions. This quoted rule keeps the court’s stated subject, representation, location and procedure limits; it is not a promise of complete self-help or legal representation.
The Self-Help Center has put together two instruction packets to help you fill out the forms to ask the court for a domestic violence restraining order. The instructions do not include all of the forms that could be attached to a request for an order but do contain the most commonly requested forms. Packets with instructions are available at the courthouse. The blank forms can be found on the California Courts website.
The official court page specifically describes this subject and its available information. Consult its current instructions for your situation.
Local Unlawful Detainer — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
You must give the tenant an appropriate written notice prior to initiating a case with the court. There are several types of notices available at office supply stores and if you are uncertain as to what type, you should obtain legal assistance or check www.courts.ca.gov. You may be required to provide proof of service to the judge if you go to trial.
Local Unlawful Detainer — source-specific information; other procedures and appeals may differ
A copy of the Summons and Complaint must be served on each defendant (tenant). You cannot do this yourself but may be done by the sheriff, a legal process server or someone over the age of 18 who is not a party to the action. A Proof of Service must be completed and filed with the court.
Reviewed local Eviction / unlawful detainer subject context
All unlawful detainer forms are available at www.courts.ca.gov/forms or at the Civil Division of the court for a nominal fee. Before filing with the court, you must make a copy for yourself and a copy for each party named in your complaint. Bring all originals and copies to the clerk for filing with the appropriate fee. (link to fee schedule)
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: Sutter County — local court legal-information/referral context. Area details & sources
Court procedural self-help or explicit referral only; no attorney representation, confidential legal advice, full case eligibility or uniform free document-copying claim.
Sutter County Superior Court Self-Help Center provides FREE information and assistance to individuals without an attorney with their family law, child support, guardianship, and small claims cases.
Self-Help | Superior Court of California | County of Sutter — legal-selfhelp-06101-219
Sutter County Superior Court Self-Help Center provides FREE information and assistance to individuals without an attorney with their family law, child support, guardianship, and small claims cases.
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.