Resources for small claims cases

Legal help and resources

  • Small Claims Advisors and court Self-Help Centers

    Most courts have a Small Claims Advisor or Self-Help Center that offers free help with small claims cases. 

  • LawHelpCA

    Offers a lookup tool to help find legal aid offices, lawyer referral services, and other free and low-cost services in your county or nearby. 

  • County Law Library

    Librarians can recommend self-help books and help with legal research. Many libraries also offer free self-help programs, like "Lawyers in the Library". You can also ask a law library a question in Live Chat.

  • Lawyer Referral Service

    Directory of lawyer referral services throughout California

  • California law

    Most of the laws related to small claims court are in the "Code of Civil Procedure".

State consumer protection resources

Help to find a business

  • Secretary of State

    Find the agent for service of process for a corporation, LLC, or Limited Partnership registered in California.

  • County Clerk-Recorder

    You can find information about who owns property or fictitious business names in the County Clerk-Recorder's Officer.

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