Self-Help

Self-Help

Self-Help (previously known as the Pro Per Clinic) helps you understand which court forms and documents you may need. Our staff reviews documents, recommends workshops, and provides the forms needed for your specific court process. Our Self-Help Center provides free services to individuals who do not have private attorneys.

Visitor Information

  • Please sign in upon arrival.
  • Cases that do not require a workshop will receive assistance through the Self-Help Center.
  • Please bring your most recent court order and all related court paperwork.

Workshop Information

We offer several workshops designed to assist with our most commonly requested topics. Currently, we are offering the following workshops:

Custody and Visitation Workshop

Wednesdays at 8 AM

Dissolution and Separation (Divorce) Workshop

Tuesdays at 8 AM

Unlawful Detainer (Eviction) Workshop

hosted onsite by El Concilio

Wednesdays at 1 PM

Reminders for Workshops

  • Space is limited each day, and assistance is provided on a first-come, first-served basis. We strongly recommend arriving early for workshops.
  • Once daily capacity is reached, you may be asked to return for the next workshop.
  • All workshops require same-day sign-up and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Our staff personally reviews each case to ensure the appropriate forms are prepared and ready for the workshop.

Services at Self-Help

We provide general legal information and referrals. Staff may review paperwork if you have attended a workshop or have been given a sample packet.

Family Law
  • Change of venue
  • Child custody and visitation (initial orders or modifications)
  • Child support (income and expense declarations)
  • Dissolution, legal separation, nullity, or annulment
  • Emancipation
  • Grandparent visitation
  • Parentage and paternity actions
  • Preparation of judgments and orders (as time allows or by court order)
  • Responses and responsive declarations
  • Spousal support (income and expense declarations)
  • Stepparent adoption
  • Summary dissolution
  • Wage garnishment and income withholding orders
  • Writs and enforcement of orders
Civil
  • Limited civil (consumer debt only)
  • Name change and recognition of gender change (adult and minor)
  • Proofs of service
  • Small claims
  • Unlawful detainer (eviction)
Probate
  • Guardianship of the person
  • Conservatorship of the person
  • CARE Act petition filing
    • Lodi Branch Court: 217 W. Elm Street, Lodi, CA 95240 — Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    • Self-Help Center: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Wednesday 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Restraining Orders

The Self-Help Center will review restraining order forms for completeness but cannot fill them out for you.

Domestic Violence Restraining Orders

If you need assistance in completing a domestic violence restraining order, please contact:

Limitations of Assistance

The Self-Help Center is unable to assist with case types or legal matters not listed above.

Self-Help staff does not provide legal representation or legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is formed through services provided by the clinic. Individuals are encouraged to consult a private attorney to fully understand their legal rights and options.

Court Forms

Court forms are available through the following sources: