Cant afford an Attorney, need advise, need to get in front of the Judge quickly, this free resources to California residents is the best first step.
Family Law Facilitator Self-Help Centers
What is this program?
The center is designed to help Un- represented parents and parties who have questions about family law issues. They are dedicated to helping parents better understand family law procedures, and increase parents access to the Family law courts, with quicker resolutions on their Family law matters.
The staff is made up of court Attorneys, paralegals, and clerks with family law experience. They are not your lawyers, but are neutral court employees. They will be able to provide general legal information, and most important help you prepare the required court forms for your litigation.
Here are a few of the services available:
- Assistance in choosing and completing forms for family law actions.
- Assistance and information regarding child custody and visitation
- Child and spousal support
- Paternity actions
- Petitions for divorce, legal separation
- *Service of process (Very important it is the first to serve the other party with copies of all paper worked filed in the court that establishes personal jurisdiction important if the other party does not reside in the same county or state more on this subject to follow)
- Modification of existing orders, a change in circumstances
- Wage assignments in family law cases (child support deducted from a pay check to pay child support)
What services are not provided?
- Assistance with Discovery
- Legal research
What to expect upon arrival?
Once you are signed in, you will be given an intake form to fill out and asked to describe the issue (s). A staff person will review and then speak with you. They will notify you then if they can or cannot help you. In the event they cannot they will refer you to an alternative agency or service provider. If they decide they can, you will sit together at that time and provide procedural assistance, an understanding of the family law court system and guidance on completing the necessary forms.
How much will it cost? its FREE
- Assistance is at no cost to you,
What should you bring?
- A copy of all court documents relating to your case in organized fashion by date.
- Written proof of your income from all sources for the past 12 months.
- Latest tax return and last years W-2 forms
- If you are un-employed proof
- A detailed outline of all your monthly expenses.
There are 5 locations – choose the one that is closest for you.
You are encouraged to make child care arrangements, this is a first come first served basis, the best advise is to show up ½ hr early and be prepared to stand in line, and be prepared to have a long wait. The court closes between 12:00 pm and 1:30 every day, so bring a sack lunch or money to buy lunch. Bring all necessary documents and a spiral notebook to take notes as your guided through the process.
Family Court Building
(619) 531-3234 (recorded information)
Hours and check in times vary and are subject to change so please check the Web site.
Family- Court- Downtown
1555 Sixth Ave
San Diego, Ca 92101
Sign in times 8:00 am and at 11:30
Central Courthouse
220 West Broadway, Room 4001, San Diego, CA 92100
DCSS cases only
Sign in time: 7:30 a.m.
Madge Bradley Building
1409 Fourth Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Referrals only
Guardianship assistance: (619) 450-7642
(Divorce, Paternity, Support issues, Child Custody & Visitation, Domestic Violence, Restraining Orders with existing case)
Show up at least a half hour early, be prepared for morning traffic, parking issues, the trolley is always a good option.
North County –Vista
325 South Melrose Dr, North Building
Vista, Ca 92081
Sign – in times: when building opens at 7:30 am and at 12:00 noon. Sessions begin at 8:30 am and 1:30 pm
(Divorce, Paternity, Support issues, Child Custody & Visitation, Domestic Violence Temporary Restraining Orders)
East County Court
250 E. Main St
El Cajon, Ca 92020
Sign in times: Building opens at 7 am, Sign in times at 7:30 and 12:00 noon. Sessions begin at 8:30 am and 1; 30 pm
(Divorce, Paternity, Support Issues, Child Custody & Visitations)
South County Court
500 3rd Ave., 3rd floor Room 390
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(Divorce, Paternity, Support, Child Custody & Visitation issues
Se Habla Espanol
Divorce Workshops are also available; you just purchase the Dissolution Forms packet from the Family law Business office prior to the day of workshop
SanDiego’s Family Law Facilitators Home Page Click Here for More Information
Click Here to find your court’s family law facilitator information, if you do not know your county, input your city or zip code in the find your court box
Not Happy with the Judges decision. You can appeal a Judges decision
The California Court of Appeal Step by Step Click Here
The San Diego Public Law Library
The law library is free to the public, but you can become a member there is a one-time $50.00 deposit required that is refundable. And a $10.00 annual fee, its biggest perk for us non – attorneys is you get to check out books, Almost Every book in the library can be checked out for 4 days, and then you can extend another 4 days if you need to. An entire family law section, you politely ask the nice clerk your legal issue or problem, and she or he will direct you to the books best fitting your needs. You check them out, make notes and you are now becoming more knowledgable about your case. You now know what the courts and judges want or need to sway a decision in your favor. You now will be able to start learning the legal jargon that was once so un familiar.
They do not give legal advice, but will find you the book or source to answer your legal needs or questions.
Click Here for San Diego Law Library
Downtown San Diego
1105 Front Street
San Diego, CA 92101
Tel: 619-531-3900
This is my favorite, totally renovated 2 yrs ago, multiple stories, computer labs, private rooms, copy machines, and super nice friendly staff always. Another nice feature you can take the trolley any line down town, it is 2-blk walks, next to the police station.
There are 3 Law Libraries in San Diego County below are the addresses & phone numbers** NOTE** each one is a little different in what they have available to the public. I made the notes on the differences on the ones I have visited.
East County
250 E. Main St
El Cajon, CA 92020
Tel: 619-441-4451
This library is in the actual East County Superior Court House in El Cajon. 2cnd floor. Smaller but has all the Resources too, computers and the friendly staff.
North County
325 S. Melrose Dr
Vista CA 92081
Tel: 760-940-4386
This is a freestanding building right next to the Vista Court House. This location offers a variety of ongoing workshops on small business topics & Business start up. Lots of self help resources and again super nice and friendly staff.
Here is a link to find a Law Library in your County Click Here
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Get knowledge – gain wisdom there is lots of help out there you just have to know where to find it.
Free Legal websites – Free Information & a Referral List
Something for every circumstance 46 pages of enpowering resources available to San Diego residents, and residents of California.
provided by The San Diego Law Library Staff
Click Here for More Information
Free Legal Websites from the San Diego Law Library
They searched the web to locate free websites with reliable legal information and links to helpful resources. What you will find , San Diego Resources, California Resources, Federal Resources, Local Pro Bona and Self Help sites, National Pro Bono and Self Help Sites.
Click Here to tap into the List
California State Resources
you will find California State laws, the State Government, The Federal Courts, law libraries & other legal resources
Online Self Help Center
find step by step instructions on Representing your self in court, find rules of the courts, all necessary forms for all family law situations and other legal circumstances one might be involved in.
Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc.
110 South Euclid Avenue
San Diego, CA 92114
(877) 534-2524 (LEGAL AID) or (619) 262-0896
Referral Line: (619) 262-0896
Hours: M-F 9-4:45 p.m.
Click Here
Society is divided into units of Housing and Community Development, Government Benefits, Criminal
and Juvenile Justice, Consumer Protection, Family Law, Immigration, and Health Advocacy. No fees
charged, but must meet poverty population guidelines to qualify.
North County: 216 South Tremont Street, Oceanside, CA 92054, (760) 722-1935
Downtown: 1475 Sixth Avenue, 4th Floor, San Diego, CA 92101
Legal Aid Society – Homeless Advocacy Program (HAP)
1501 Imperial Avenue, Main Lobby
San Diego CA 92114
(619) 544-9556
HAP provides assistance to homeless individuals with health & welfare cases.
Services are offered on a walk-in basis.
The Official site for California legislative information, find todays events, bill information, California law
Quick Reference to California Family Law
Find the California Family Code Table of Contents
Search the law of this topic in the California Family Code 3550-3558 Child Support
Click Here for More Information
Drug & Alcohol Testing in Child Custody Cases implemented in Family Code 3041.5
This is a Report given to the Legislature , this codes section allows courts to order persons seeking custody of, or visitation with , a child in a child custody proceeding to undergo drug or alcohol testing under specified circumstances.
