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.
Superior Court for Sacramento County. Court locations and divisions handle different case types; confirm the correct branch and service before visiting.
Official local court entrance for the specifically named information, filing channel or self-help referral. Consult the current instructions for your procedure.
Local Family Court division; this statement does not establish a complete filing workflow
The Family Court handles matters related to divorce/dissolution, legal separation, parentage, child custody and visitation, support, domestic violence and elder abuse, emancipation, and underage marriage. The court also provides mediation services to help parents resolve child custody and visitation disputes. Adoptions are handled by the Probate Court.
The Family Court handles matters related to divorce/dissolution, legal separation, parentage, child custody and visitation, support, domestic violence and elder abuse, emancipation, and underage marriage. The court also provides mediation services to help parents resolve child custody and visitation disputes. Adoptions are handled by the Probate Court.
Official local court entrance for the specifically named information, filing channel or self-help referral. Consult the current instructions for your procedure.
Local Small Claims division; this statement does not establish a complete filing workflow
The Small Claims Court handles cases requesting damages up to $12,500 and must be filed at the Carol Miller Justice Center.
Local small-claims 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.
Electronic Filing is optional for all parties submitting Small Claims matters; however, the court encourages electronic filing to ensure documents are processed in a timely manner. There may be a delay in processing documents not submitted electronically. Self-represented litigants are not required to e-file documents.
Official local court entrance for the specifically named information, filing channel or self-help referral. Consult the current instructions for your procedure.
Local Probate Court; this statement does not establish a complete filing workflow
The Probate Court handles decedents’ estates, trusts, guardianship of minors, and conservatorship for those unable to provide for their personal needs or manage their financial resources. Adoption cases are handled by the Probate Court.
The Probate Court handles decedents’ estates, trusts, guardianship of minors, and conservatorship for those unable to provide for their personal needs or manage their financial resources. Adoption cases are handled by the Probate Court.
Official local court entrance for the specifically named information, filing channel or self-help referral. Consult the current instructions for your procedure.
Local Civil restraining-order information; this statement does not establish a complete filing workflow
There are different types of civil restraining orders, each with its own eligibility requirements and steps that need to be taken to get a restraining order. The types of restraining orders are:
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.
Information and Forms can be found on the California Court's website. The following local forms are also required: Family Law Case Participant Form (FL/E-LP-665) Document Drop-Off Sheet for Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse Restraining Orders (FL-E/LP-668)
There are different types of civil restraining orders, each with its own eligibility requirements and steps that need to be taken to get a restraining order. The types of restraining orders are:
Local court instructions for the specifically cited subject; the cited paragraph retains its own eligibility and filing scope
As of June 17, 2024, Sacramento County Superior Court has expanded electronic filing to Unlawful Detainer cases at the Carol Miller Justice Center. Electronic filing is optional for all parties; however, the court encourages electronic filing to ensure documents are processed in a timely manner. There may be a delay in processing documents not submitted electronically.
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.