Self-Help Center
Services We Offer
The court's Self-Help Center offers free help to the self-represented public. We can give you information on a variety of basic legal issues and types of cases, including family law and small claims. We cannot give you legal advice or tell you what you should do.
We provide 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 social security, or
- help with appeals.
To get legal advice or have a confidential conversation, you must speak with a private attorney.
Online Services
You can submit a question online to receive assistance. Click here to submit a question or request. Online inquiries will be returned as staffing allows.
Walk-In Services
Priority is given to walk-in patrons. Service hours are listed on this page along with closure dates.
Note: The Nevada City Self-Help office may be closed on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Law Library in Nevada City will generally be open from 10:00 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on those days. Please note that the Law Librarian is not Self-Help staff and CANNOT answer Self-Help, Family Law Facilitator or Small Claims Advisor questions.
Truckee Walk-in Services
Walk-ins from 9am to noon and appointments in the afternoon are offered on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.
Law Library
The Nevada County Law Library is the primary repository 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.
Self-Help Resource Pages
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:
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Alternative Dispute Resolution
The Self-Help Center offers services for mediation and arbitration.
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Small Claims
The Small Claims Advisor is available through the Self-Help Center located in the Law Library.
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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
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SHARP Portal
The SHARP portal walks through many kinds of forms.
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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.
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Legal Services of Northern California
For additional help, contact the Auburn office of Legal Services of Northern California.
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Online Resources
View a collection of additional self-help resources available online.