Representing Yourself & Fee Waivers Category: Courts and Procedure
Back to Search Legal Correspondence: Letters for Lawsuits
Letters in legal disputes and lawsuits often serve two purposes: first, to communicate in a clear, professional manner, and second, to document what was said or done for later use in court. The books and online resources in this Research Guide can help create effective, professional letters for many situations....
Read MoreLegal Document Assistants
Preparing legal documents can be an intimidating task, and many California residents seek the assistance of an attorney when feeling overwhelmed by paperwork. The pressure to know the law and to complete the forms correctly can be daunting to those trying to do everything themselves. Depending on your legal needs,...
Read MoreWhat is legal malpractice?
Lee en español: ¿Qué es negligencia legal? Attorneys have a duty to their clients use such skill, prudence, and diligence as members of the legal profession commonly possess and exercise (the “standard of care”). Malpractice occurs when the attorney breaches that duty; and the breach causes injury; and the injury...
Read MoreShould I represent myself in court?
Lee en español: “Me Represento Yo Mismo en la Corte?” Adapted in part from shlep: the Self-Help Law ExPress, “Should I go it alone” If you have been sued, or you are planning to sue someone, you may be wondering if it's possible to go to court without a lawyer....
Read MoreShould I Answer?
Lee en español: ¿Debo Responder? Responding to a Breach of Contract Lawsuit When a lawsuit is started against you, the Plaintiff will have you served with a Summons and Complaint. These documents formally notify you that a lawsuit has been initiated, and what the lawsuit is about. What are my...
Read MoreSH@LL (Self Help @ the Law Library) (formerly Civil Self Help Center)
Accidents and Torts
SH@LL provides general information and basic assistance to people without attorneys on a variety of civil legal issues. All assistance is provided by telephone or Zoom videoconference. Visit “What We Help With” for a list of qualifying cases.
Eligibility: Must be a Sacramento County resident or have a qualifying case in the Sacramento County Superior Court.
Legal Match Attorney Referral Service
Courts and Procedure
An attorney referral service is a resource that assists people in finding a lawyer who practices in the appropriate legal field for their matter.
Find a Lawyer Referral Service
Courts and Procedure
Provides a list of State Bar-certified lawyer referral services organized by county in California.
Capital Pro Bono
Courts and Procedure
The Capital Pro Bono is a nonprofit agency that provides free legal assistance with many kinds of civil legal matters to low income people. In addition to referring eligible clients to volunteer attorneys for direct representation, they offer a number of free legal clinics on a variety of common legal matters., Eligibility: Must be low income. Must have legal Immigration status
Attorney Search Network
Courts and Procedure
Civil Self Help Services
Courts and Procedure
Civil Self-Help Services (SHS) helps people without lawyers who have questions about simple issues related to a civil case. They can give you general information and help you prepare your own forms in the area of civil law. Common topics include civil harassment restraining orders, petitions for change of name/gender, and expungement of criminal convictions.
Fee Waivers: Ask the Court to Waive or Lower the Cost of Fees
California Government Code §§ 68630 et. seq. permit the court to waive court fees and costs for litigants in certain financial situations. Your court fees may be waived if: You are receiving public benefits such as Medi-Cal, Food Stamps, General Assistance, Cal-Works, SSI, SSP, etc. Your household income is below...
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