California Pro Se Help: Free Court Self-Help Centers and Legal Aid by County
Going to family court in California without a lawyer is common, and you do not have to figure it out alone. The court runs free help for people representing themselves, and nonprofit legal aid offices give free legal help to parents who qualify. Below, every county in California gets no more than two places to call, both checked in September 2026.
Statewide: California Courts Self-Help Guide. Statewide court site with forms, guides, and a locator for every county's self-help center, for people without a lawyer.
Alameda County: court help from Alameda County Self-Help Center (Oakland), phone (510) 627-4700. Free legal aid from Bay Area Legal Aid, phone (800) 551-5554. Covers Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, and Pleasanton.
Alpine County: court help from Alpine County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 694-2113. Free legal aid from California Indian Legal Services, phone (800) 743-8941. Covers Alpine Village, Bear Valley, Kirkwood, Markleeville, and Mesa Vista.
Amador County: court help from Amador County Self-Help Center, phone (209) 257-2600. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Amador City, Ione, Jackson, Plymouth, and Sutter Creek.
Butte County: court help from Butte County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 532-7002. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Biggs, Chico, Gridley, Oroville, and Paradise.
Calaveras County: court help from Calaveras County Self-Help Center, phone (209) 754-9800. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Angels.
Colusa County: court help from Colusa County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 458-0598. Free legal aid from California Rural Legal Assistance, phone (800) 337-0690. Covers Colusa and Williams.
Contra Costa County: court help from Contra Costa County Self-Help Center (Spinetta Family Law Center), phone (925) 608-1000. Free legal aid from Bay Area Legal Aid, phone (800) 551-5554. Covers Antioch, Brentwood, Clayton, Concord, Danville, El Cerrito, Hercules, Lafayette, Martinez, Moraga, Oakley, and Orinda.
Del Norte County: court help from Del Norte County Self-Help Center, phone (707) 464-8115. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Crescent City.
El Dorado County: court help from El Dorado County Self-Help Center (Placerville), phone (530) 621-6426. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Placerville and South Lake Tahoe.
Fresno County: court help from Fresno County Self-Help Center, phone (559) 457-2000. Free legal aid from Central California Legal Services, phone (800) 675-8001. Covers Clovis, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Fowler, Fresno, Huron, Kerman, Kingsburg, Mendota, Orange Cove, Parlier, and Reedley.
Glenn County: court help from Glenn County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 934-6446 ext. 7008. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Orland and Willows.
Humboldt County: court help from Humboldt County Self-Help Center, phone (707) 445-7256. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Arcata, Blue Lake, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, Rio Dell, and Trinidad.
Imperial County: court help from Imperial County Self-Help Center, phone (760) 482-2200. Free legal aid from California Rural Legal Assistance, phone (800) 337-0690. Covers Brawley, Calexico, Calipatria, El Centro, Holtville, Imperial, and Westmorland.
Inyo County: court help from Inyo County Self-Help Center, phone (760) 872-3038. Free legal aid from California Indian Legal Services, phone (800) 743-8941. Covers Bishop.
Kern County: court help from Kern County Self-Help Center (Metro Division, Bakersfield), phone (661) 868-5393. Free legal aid from Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, phone (661) 325-5943. Covers Arvin, Bakersfield, California City, Delano, Maricopa, McFarland, Ridgecrest, Shafter, Taft, Tehachapi, and Wasco.
Kings County: court help from Kings County Self-Help Center, phone (559) 582-1010. Free legal aid from Central California Legal Services, phone (800) 675-8001. Covers Avenal, Corcoran, Hanford, and Lemoore.
Lake County: court help from Lake County Self-Help Center (Clearlake), phone (707) 994-6598. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Clearlake and Lakeport.
Lassen County: court help from Lassen County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 251-8205. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Susanville.
Los Angeles County: court help from Los Angeles County Self-Help Center (Stanley Mosk Courthouse), phone (213) 830-0803. Free legal aid from Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, phone (800) 433-6251. Covers Agoura Hills, Alhambra, Arcadia, Artesia, Avalon, Azusa, Baldwin Park, Bell, Bell Gardens, Bellflower, Beverly Hills, and Bradbury.
Madera County: court help from Madera County Self-Help Center, phone (559) 416-5599. Free legal aid from California Rural Legal Assistance, phone (800) 337-0690. Covers Chowchilla and Madera.
Marin County: court help from Marin County Self-Help Center, phone (415) 444-7000. Free legal aid from Bay Area Legal Aid, phone (800) 551-5554. Covers Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, and Tiburon.
Mariposa County: court help from Mariposa County Self-Help Center, phone (209) 966-2005. Free legal aid from Central California Legal Services, phone (800) 675-8001. Covers Bear Valley, Bootjack, Buck Meadows, Catheys Valley, Coulterville, and Crane Creek.
Mendocino County: court help from Mendocino County Self-Help Center (Ukiah), phone (707) 468-2000. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Fort Bragg, Point Arena, Ukiah, and Willits.
Merced County: court help from Merced County Self-Help Center, phone (209) 725-4100. Free legal aid from Central California Legal Services, phone (800) 675-8001. Covers Atwater, Dos Palos, Gustine, Livingston, Los Banos, and Merced.
Modoc County: court help from Modoc County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 233-6516. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Alturas.
Mono County: court help from Mono County Self-Help Center (Mammoth Lakes), phone (760) 924-5444. Free legal aid from California Indian Legal Services, phone (800) 743-8941. Covers Mammoth Lakes.
Monterey County: court help from Monterey County Self-Help Center (Salinas), phone (831) 775-5400. Free legal aid from California Rural Legal Assistance, phone (800) 337-0690. Covers Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas, Sand City, Seaside, and Soledad.
Napa County: court help from Napa County Self-Help Center, phone (707) 299-1100. Free legal aid from Bay Area Legal Aid, phone (800) 551-5554. Covers American Canyon, Calistoga, Napa, St. Helena, and Yountville.
Nevada County: court help from Nevada County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 362-4309. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Grass Valley, Nevada City, and Truckee.
Orange County: court help from Orange County Self-Help Center (Central Justice Center), phone (657) 622-6878. Free legal aid from Community Legal Aid SoCal, phone (714) 571-5200. Covers Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, and Irvine.
Placer County: court help from Placer County Self-Help Center, phone (916) 408-6446. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Auburn, Colfax, Lincoln, Loomis, Rocklin, and Roseville.
Plumas County: court help from Plumas County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 283-6305. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Portola.
Riverside County: court help from Riverside County Family Law Self-Help Center, phone (951) 777-3147. Free legal aid from Inland Counties Legal Services, phone (888) 245-4257. Covers Banning, Beaumont, Blythe, Calimesa, Canyon Lake, Cathedral City, Coachella, Corona, Desert Hot Springs, Eastvale, Hemet, and Indian Wells.
Sacramento County: court help from Sacramento County Self-Help Center (Hall of Justice), phone (916) 874-5522. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, Folsom, Galt, Isleton, Rancho Cordova, and Sacramento.
San Benito County: court help from San Benito County Self-Help Center, phone (831) 636-4057. Free legal aid from California Rural Legal Assistance, phone (800) 337-0690. Covers Hollister and San Juan Bautista.
San Bernardino County: court help from San Bernardino County Family Law Self-Help Center, phone (909) 521-3136. Free legal aid from Inland Counties Legal Services, phone (888) 245-4257. Covers Adelanto, Apple Valley, Barstow, Big Bear Lake, Chino, Chino Hills, Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Hesperia, Highland, and Loma Linda.
San Diego County: court help from San Diego County Self-Help Center (Hall of Justice), phone (858) 634-1919. Free legal aid from Legal Aid Society of San Diego, phone (877) 534-2524. Covers Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Coronado, Del Mar, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Imperial Beach, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, and Oceanside.
San Francisco County: court help from San Francisco Self-Help Center (Civic Center Courthouse), phone (415) 551-4000. Free legal aid from Bay Area Legal Aid, phone (800) 551-5554. Covers San Francisco.
San Joaquin County: court help from San Joaquin County Self-Help Center (Stockton), phone (209) 992-5555. Free legal aid from California Rural Legal Assistance, phone (800) 337-0690. Covers Escalon, Lathrop, Lodi, Manteca, Ripon, Stockton, and Tracy.
San Luis Obispo County: court help from San Luis Obispo County Self-Help Center (Civil & Family Law Branch), phone (805) 706-3600. Free legal aid from California Rural Legal Assistance, phone (800) 337-0690. Covers Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles), Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, and San Luis Obispo.
San Mateo County: court help from San Mateo County Self-Help Center (Redwood City), phone (650) 261-5100. Free legal aid from Bay Area Legal Aid, phone (800) 551-5554. Covers Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, Burlingame, Colma, Daly City, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, and Millbrae.
Santa Barbara County: court help from Santa Barbara County Self-Help Center (Anacapa Division), phone (805) 882-4520. Free legal aid from California Rural Legal Assistance, phone (800) 337-0690. Covers Buellton, Carpinteria, Goleta, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Solvang.
Santa Clara County: court help from Santa Clara County Family Justice Center, phone (408) 792-4200. Free legal aid from Bay Area Legal Aid, phone (800) 551-5554. Covers Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and San Jose.
Santa Cruz County: court help from Santa Cruz County Self-Help Center, phone (831) 420-2200. Free legal aid from California Rural Legal Assistance, phone (800) 337-0690. Covers Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, and Watsonville.
Shasta County: court help from Shasta County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 245-6789. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Anderson, Redding, and Shasta Lake.
Sierra County: court help from Sierra County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 289-3698. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Loyalton.
Siskiyou County: court help from Siskiyou County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 842-8182. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Dorris, Dunsmuir, Etna, Fort Jones, Montague, Mount Shasta, Tulelake, Weed, and Yreka.
Solano County: court help from Solano County Self-Help Center (Hall of Justice), phone (707) 207-7300. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Benicia, Dixon, Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, and Vallejo.
Sonoma County: court help from Sonoma County Civil and Family Law Self-Help Center, phone (707) 521-6500. Free legal aid from California Rural Legal Assistance, phone (800) 337-0690. Covers Cloverdale, Cotati, Healdsburg, Petaluma, Rohnert Park, Santa Rosa, Sebastopol, Sonoma, and Windsor.
Stanislaus County: court help from Stanislaus County Self-Help Center, phone (209) 530-3100. Free legal aid from California Rural Legal Assistance, phone (800) 337-0690. Covers Ceres, Hughson, Modesto, Newman, Oakdale, Patterson, Riverbank, Turlock, and Waterford.
Sutter County: court help from Sutter County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 822-3300. Free legal aid from California Rural Legal Assistance, phone (800) 337-0690. Covers Live Oak and Yuba City.
Tehama County: court help from Tehama County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 527-3563. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Corning, Red Bluff, and Tehama.
Trinity County: court help from Trinity County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 623-5641. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Burnt Ranch, Coffee Creek, Douglas City, Hayfork, Hyampom, and Junction City.
Tulare County: court help from Tulare County Self-Help Resource Center (Visalia), phone (559) 737-5500. Free legal aid from Central California Legal Services, phone (800) 675-8001. Covers Dinuba, Exeter, Farmersville, Lindsay, Porterville, Tulare, Visalia, and Woodlake.
Tuolumne County: court help from Tuolumne County Self-Help Center, phone (209) 533-6565. Free legal aid from Central California Legal Services, phone (800) 675-8001. Covers Sonora.
Ventura County: court help from Ventura County Self-Help Center (Hall of Justice), phone (805) 289-8900. Free legal aid from California Rural Legal Assistance, phone (800) 337-0690. Covers Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, San Buenaventura (Ventura), Santa Paula, Simi Valley, and Thousand Oaks.
Yolo County: court help from Yolo County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 406-6700. Free legal aid from Legal Services of Northern California, phone (916) 551-2150. Covers Davis, West Sacramento, Winters, and Woodland.
Yuba County: court help from Yuba County Self-Help Center, phone (530) 740-1850. Free legal aid from California Rural Legal Assistance, phone (800) 337-0690. Covers Marysville and Wheatland.
Where can I get free help with a family court case in California without a lawyer? Start with California Courts Self-Help Guide, run by Judicial Council of California. 58 of 58 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Legal Services of Northern California, California Rural Legal Assistance, Bay Area Legal Aid, Central California Legal Services, California Indian Legal Services, Inland Counties Legal Services, Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, Community Legal Aid SoCal, and Legal Aid Society of San Diego if you qualify by income.
Does every California county have its own self-help center? No. 58 of 58 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by California Courts Self-Help Guide, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in California.
Who gives free legal aid in California? California is served by 10 federally funded legal aid offices: Legal Services of Northern California, California Rural Legal Assistance, Bay Area Legal Aid, Central California Legal Services, California Indian Legal Services, Inland Counties Legal Services, Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, Community Legal Aid SoCal, and Legal Aid Society of San Diego. Each one serves set counties, so check the listing for your county. Help is free for people who qualify, usually by income.
What is a court self-help center? It is a free help desk run by or for the court for people handling their own case without a lawyer. Staff can explain which forms you need, how to fill them out, how filing and service work, and what happens next. They are not your lawyer, so they cannot tell you what to ask for or how to argue your case.
What is the difference between a self-help center and legal aid? A self-help center helps anyone who walks in or calls, whatever their income, with forms and court steps. A legal aid office is a nonprofit law office that can give free legal advice and sometimes a free lawyer, but only to people who qualify, usually by income. Many parents use both.
What should I have ready before I call? Your county, your case number if you have one, the names of both parents and the children, any papers you were served, and any deadline or hearing date. Write down the date you called, who you spoke to, and what they told you.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free help with a family court case in California without a lawyer?
Start with California Courts Self-Help Guide, run by Judicial Council of California. 58 of 58 counties also have their own local court help listed on this page. For free legal advice, contact Legal Services of Northern California, California Rural Legal Assistance, Bay Area Legal Aid, Central California Legal Services, California Indian Legal Services, Inland Counties Legal Services, Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, Community Legal Aid SoCal, and Legal Aid Society of San Diego if you qualify by income.
Does every California county have its own self-help center?
No. 58 of 58 counties have local court help listed here. Every other county is served by California Courts Self-Help Guide, which you can call or visit online from anywhere in California.
Who gives free legal aid in California?
California is served by 10 federally funded legal aid offices: Legal Services of Northern California, California Rural Legal Assistance, Bay Area Legal Aid, Central California Legal Services, California Indian Legal Services, Inland Counties Legal Services, Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, Community Legal Aid SoCal, and Legal Aid Society of San Diego. Each one serves set counties, so check the listing for your county. Help is free for people who qualify, usually by income.
What is a court self-help center?
It is a free help desk run by or for the court for people handling their own case without a lawyer. Staff can explain which forms you need, how to fill them out, how filing and service work, and what happens next. They are not your lawyer, so they cannot tell you what to ask for or how to argue your case.
What is the difference between a self-help center and legal aid?
A self-help center helps anyone who walks in or calls, whatever their income, with forms and court steps. A legal aid office is a nonprofit law office that can give free legal advice and sometimes a free lawyer, but only to people who qualify, usually by income. Many parents use both.
What should I have ready before I call?
Your county, your case number if you have one, the names of both parents and the children, any papers you were served, and any deadline or hearing date. Write down the date you called, who you spoke to, and what they told you.