courts.ca.gov

Every statewide court form approved for mandatory and optional use, searchable by form number, name, or category. Forms are provided as PDFs, and most can be filled in on screen. Always download from this site rather than from a third party — forms are revised periodically, and courts reject outdated versions.

sdcourt.ca.gov/sdcourt/generalinformation/selfhelp

The local court's own self-help resources, covering family law, guardianship, conservatorship, unlawful detainer, small claims, and restraining orders. This is also where you'll find San Diego local forms, local rules, filing fees, and e-filing requirements — none of which appear in the statewide forms index. San Diego now accepts e-filing for civil, probate, family law, and family support cases, and in some situations it's mandatory.

The Self-Help Center is free to anyone without a lawyer, regardless of income. Note that its staff attorneys are not your lawyers, and nothing you tell them is confidential.

sdarcc.gov/content/arcc/home/divisions/recorder-clerk/legal-document-assistant.html

Every Legal Document Assistant in California must register with the County Clerk and post a $25,000 bond. This is the office that handles registration for San Diego County. Registrations run in two-year terms, and registrants must appear in person with photo identification and educational documentation.

We encourage you to verify our registration before hiring us. Ask us for our number and check it here.

calbar.ca.gov

If your matter goes beyond what a Legal Document Assistant can do, you need an attorney, and California law requires us to tell you so. The State Bar's website lets you look up any California attorney and confirm they're licensed and in good standing.

For help finding one, the State Bar also certifies Lawyer Referral Services. A certified LRS will refer you to an attorney experienced in your area of law who carries professional liability insurance, and may be able to connect you with a bilingual attorney or one offering reduced rates based on income. Some can also tell you whether your problem can be resolved without a lawyer at all. These aren't free — expect a modest charge for a brief consultation — but that consultation is often the best money you'll spend. Directory: calbar.ca.gov, or call 866-442-2529.

Filing fees are set by the court and are separate from any fee we charge. If you can't afford them, California courts allow you to request a waiver based on income, public benefits received, or inability to pay for basic household needs. Information and the request forms are available through the California Courts Self-Help Guide and through San Diego Superior Court.

Court-based self-help centers operate at courthouses across California and are free to anyone without an attorney, regardless of income. They're staffed by attorneys and court personnel who provide information and education, though not legal advice. In San Diego, the Family Law Facilitator's Office handles family law questions at no cost and can help prepare court forms — note that it does not assist parties who already have an attorney of record, and wait times can be significant.

These centers are a genuine resource. If your matter is simple and you have time to spend, they may be all you need.