Self-Help Center - Family Law Facilitator

Public Notice

General Information

The Self-Help Center offers assistance with the completion of legal forms and provides procedural guidance in most areas of Family Law, including: child support, spousal support, child custody, visitation, dissolution, legal separation, nullity, establishment of paternity, domestic violence restraining orders and probate guardianships.

At this time, no assistance is given to litigants on civil harassment restraining orders, emergency (ex parte) orders, contempt proceedings, qualified domestic relations orders for other than child support issues, adoptions, minor emancipations, or Code of Civil Procedure 170.6.

Disclosure

The Self-Help Center is here to help persons not represented by an attorney. The information provided to assist persons in completing and processing forms is not intended as legal advice about what to request or expect from the court. No one in the Self-Help Center may predict the outcome of your issues or case. Please do not incorrectly state or imply to others that the Self-Help Center has told you what you can expect from the court. The Self-Help Center does not represent anyone and may assist all parties in your case. Further, the information exchanged in this office is not confidential.

Services available at the Self-Help Center

The Self-Help Center provides assistance in the following areas of law:

• Child and Spousal Support
• Divorce/Legal Separation/Annulment
• Child Custody and Visitation
• Paternity
• Domestic Violence
• Guardianship

The Self-Help Center provides free legal, procedural assistance to individuals without an attorney in the areas of Family Support, Domestic Violence, Family Law and Probate. The Self-Help Center also houses a Community Resource Room for anyone in need of referrals to community services. All services are provided free of charge.

The Self-Help Center does not provide legal advice or representation, but we can provide referrals to local attorneys.

What type of assistance will I receive?

The Self-Help Center provides the following types of assistance:

• Information regarding your case
• Instruction on completion of court forms
• Preparation of support calculations
• Instructions on follow-up steps
• Preparation of Orders and Judgments
• Referrals to other resources

What can I expect?

If you come to the Self-Help Center in person, you must first get a number from the Information Booth. When your number is called, you will be required to show photo identification. Acceptable forms of photo identification include a driver license, passport, United States military identification or a legal permanent resident card. Consular identification is not accepted. Depending on the legal issue you wish to address, you may be assisted the same day or be referred to our e-Correspondence service.

Please be aware that service is provided on first-come, first-served basis and is limited due to our funding. You should plan to spend at least a half-day when you visit the Self-Help Center. It is recommended that you arrive early.

What should I bring with me?

Each time you visit the Self-Help Center, please remember to bring the following items:

• Photo identification
• Your case number
• Your last two pay stubs or statements
• Other income and expense information
• A blue or black ink pen
• Envelopes and postage stamps
• Change for the photocopier and/or parking

E-Correspondence Assistance

Litigants who would like procedural assistance or help determining the next steps in their case must contact us using our E-Correspondence System. E-Correspondence assistance is available to any self-represented party in a family law, domestic violence, family support or guardianship case filed in Sacramento County Superior Court. Please note that if you have a confidential file and your e-mail address does not match the address on file for you with the court, we will be unable to assist you via our E-Correspondence System.

We no longer offer assistance via regular email. If you would like to continue receiving assistance without coming into our office, you must register and use our E-Correspondence System.

Family Court Resource Referral Program

The Resource Referral Program helps parents locate court-referred services. Lists of court-approved service providers are available through the Resource Referral Program, where you can download a list without coming to the Court.

Community Resource Room

The Community Resource Room is located off the lobby of the Self-Help Center. Staff from 2-1-1 Sacramento is available in the Resource Room to assist in locating community resources. Customers may browse the brochure racks for information or may meet individually with 2-1-1 staff. Also available in the Resource Room are two computer kiosks where customers may prepare court forms and two video monitors where customers may view a variety of check-out videos on topics related to the Family Court, including Conservatorship, Guardianship, Domestic Violence and Paternity Declarations.

Self-Help Computer Room - Closure Notice

Effective December 30, 2011, the Self-Help Computer Room is closed to the public except during regularly scheduled workshop times. At those times, only persons attending the workshops are permitted in the Self-Help Computer Room and computer use is limited to that required for the workshop.

Workshops

Due to budget restrictions, we have discontinued all family law and probate workshops, except as indicated below. We also offer a Domestic Violence Restraining Order class.

Income and Expense Declaration

This workshop does exactly what the name implies--helps you complete an Income and Expense Declaration. The workshop is open to anyone wishing to complete these forms, regardless of the type of case you have. This workshop is offered Thursday at 8:30 a.m. and does not require an appointment. Arrive early on the day you wish to attend the workshop and bring with you a blue or black ink pen, W-2's for the previous year, pay stubs for the past two months and a calculator (not a cellular telephone). Space is limited and the workshop is offered on a first come-first served basis only.