Using the Family Law Self-Help Center

• How can the Family Law Self-Help Center assist me?

  The Family Law and Probate Self-Help Center and Family Law Facilitator’s Office provides free assistance to individuals without an attorney with cases in or who reside in Sacramento County. Our staff can provide legal and procedural information, legal forms, answer most questions regarding family law legal procedures, and review most completed forms. Our office cannot provide legal advice or strategy. Assistance is provided for family law and child support matters involving the Department of Child Support Services. Self-Help staff does not provide legal advice or attorney representation. We may refer you to resources to contact a private attorney or another resource, depending on your situation. Many of our services are provided in person and remotely.

  The Self-Help Center provides in-person services on a first-come, first-served basis. You may also schedule an appointment for the Self-Help Center. We also help remotely through our Virtual Front Counter, Zoom workshops, and e-Correspondence. Our contact information is below.

  The Self-Help Center and Family Law Facilitator’s Office help with the following types of cases:

  • Divorce, legal separation, and nullity.
  • Parentage
  • Child custody and visitation
  • Court Hearing: If you are requesting a hearing and Family Court Services mediation to establish or modify child custody and visitation orders, you may contact the Self-Help Center to obtain a Request for Order packet in-person or through e-Correspondence.
  • Parenting Plan Agreements: If you already have an existing case with the Sacramento County Court and you would like to establish or modify child custody and visitation orders, if you and the other party both agree, you may submit a Stipulation and Order for custody and visitation orders. You may pick up a parenting plan agreement in-person or through e-Correspondence. You may also find the forms on the Judicial Council’s website.
  • Confidential Mediation: You may request Confidential Mediation, which is a process where a court mediator assists both parties in reaching an agreement regarding custody and visitation. In confidential mediation, no recommendation is made by the mediator to the court and no hearing is scheduled for the court to make orders. To learn more about Confidential Mediation and request the form packets to begin the process, you may contact the Self-Help Center agreement in-person or through e-Correspondence.
  • Child support
  • You may find information on how to start a child support case with your Local Child Support Agency on the Judicial Council’s website. Or you may contact the Self-Help Center in-person or through e-Correspondence
  • Domestic violence
  • Elder abuse
  • Guardianship
  • Additional local forms will be required when completing the guardianship process. For additional assistance, you may contact the Self-Help Center in-person or through e-Correspondence.
  • Stepparent adoption, and
  • Limited conservatorship cases.
  
  

• Where is the Family Law and Probate Self-Help Center and Family Law Facilitator's Office Located?

  The Family Law Probate Self-Help Center and Family Law Facilitator’s Office is located on the third floor of the William R. Ridgeway Sacramento County Courthouse in room 314.

• What hours is the Family Law Self-Help Center open?

  Day	Time
  Monday	8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  Tuesday	8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  Wednesday	8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  Thursday	8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
  Friday	8:30 AM – 12:00 PM

  Hours may change based on staff availability. Self Help Center will be closed on all court holidays.

• How can I contact the Self-Help Center?

  You may visit the self-help center in person or contact the Self-Help Center online through our e-Correspondence System or our Virtual Front Counter. Generally, we respond to e-Correspondence messages within three (3) business days, excluding court holidays. For in-person services, you may walk-in or make an appointment online for a scheduled time as wait times can vary.

  Schedule an Online Appointment

• Does the Self-Help Center offer workshops?

  The Self-Help Center offers workshops via Zoom and in person.