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Self-Help Center

The Superior Court of Nevada County offers free help to the public. We help with a variety of basic legal issues and types of cases, including family law and small claims. 

- Ask us your questions in person or by email .  Please note that phone has limited availability. 
- Find step by step instructions and forms online. 

Services we offer

The Self-Help Center provides legal and procedural information and assistance with court forms to self-represented litigants.  We assist both sides of the case equally.  All services of the Self-Help Center are free of charge, other than costs of copying, printing and postage.

Self-Help Center CANNOT:

  • give you legal or strategy advice.  Answer any question that asks "Should?"
  • have a confidential communication with you.  
  • represent anyone in court. 
  • have an attorney-client relationship with anyone.
  • assist you if you are represented by an attorney. 
  • help with federal cases, such as bankruptcy, or
  • help with appeal.

To get legal advice or have a confidential conversation, you must speak with a private attorney.

 
Self-Help Center is closed on:
Monday, April 1, 2024 for Chavez' Birthday 
Wednesday, April 10, 2024 for Self-Help Services in Truckee.

Wednesday, May 8, 2024 for Self-Help Services in Truckee. 

Monday, May 27, 2024 for Memorial Day. 
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 for Self-Help Services in Truckee. 

Wednesday, June 19, 2024 for Juneteenth.  

Thursday, July 4, 2024 for Independence Day.  
Wednesday, July 10, 2024 for Self-Help Services in Truckee.  
Wednesday, August 14, for Self-Help Services in Truckee.   

We will not be available in Nevada City for any purposes during Truckee dates.  

Click >here< to submit a question or request. We will reply as soon as we can when staff is available.  Priority is given to walk-in patrons.  Email will be returned as staffing allows.  There is no time estimate for return of email.  Email will generally be returned before we have the staff to return phone calls. 

Self-Help Staff will be in the Truckee Courthouse the second Wednesday of each month.  The Nevada City Office will be CLOSED on those days.  Law Library in Nevada City will generally be open from 10:00 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.  Please note that the Law Librarian is not Self-Help staff and CANNOT answer Self-Help, Family Law Facilitator or Small Claims Advisor questions.  

Self Help Center in Truckee 2024

  Truckee Self-Help is walk-in from 9:00 a.m. to noon and by appointment in the afternoon.   

January 10, 2024

July 10, 2024

February 14, 2024

August 14, 2024

March 13, 2024

September 11, 2024

April 10, 2024

October 9, 2024

May 08, 2024

November 13, 2024

June 12, 2024

December 10, 2024

SPECIAL NOTICE - CENTER and LAW LIBRARY CLOSED: The Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator / Small Claims Advisor / Law Library will be closed on:

2024 Holidays

New Year's Day (2024)

Monday, January 1

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Monday, January 15

Lincoln's Birthday

Monday, February 12

President's Day

Monday, February 19

Cesar Chavez Day

Monday, April 1

Memorial Day

Monday, May 27

Juneteenth

Wednesday, June 19

Independence Day

Thursday, July 4

Labor Day

Monday, September 2

Native American Day

Friday, September 27

Veterans Day

Monday, November 11

Thanksgiving

Thursday, November 28

Day After Thanksgiving

Friday, November 29

Christmas Day

Wednesday, December 25

 

While we are out, you can still help yourself. Useful links are on the Self-Help Tab.

Law Library

The Nevada County Law Library is the primary depository of legal reference materials for the County of Nevada and provides open access of these resources to all members of the community.

Step-by-step instructions online

The State of California provides online information and resources for people representing themselves in a court case. Access these easy-to-read step-by-step instructions for navigating your court case from any device. 

California Self-Help Guide

Types of Cases

We can help you help yourself with most non-criminal legal problems.  We cannot help with Federal law or appeals. We have detailed resources on these areas:

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution

    The Self-Help Center offers services for mediation and arbitration.

  • Small Claims

    The Small Claims Advisor is available through the Self-Help Center located in the Law Library.

  • Family Law Facilitator

    The office of the Family Law Facilitator assists self-represented parties with child support, spousal support and health insurance issues.

Top California Court FAQs

The following are links to the State of California's Self-Help Center frequently asked questions pages. Information is provided in English and Spanish.

Divorce & Separation
Custody & Parenting Time
Name Change
Small Claims
Restraining Orders
Evictions & Unlawful Detainer

Additional Resources

  • SHARP Portal

    The SHARP portal walks through many kinds of forms.

  • Sacramento Law Library

    You can do research through the Sacramento County Law Library. They post Sacramento-specific addresses and court procedures, but the general information is very helpful.

  • Legal Services of Northern California

    For additional help, contact the Auburn office of Legal Services of Northern California.

  • Online Resources

    View a collection of additional self-help resources available online.

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