Instructional Materials

This section includes samples from courts of informational materials, instructions, and videos providing basic legal information and explanation about the court process in a variety of matters. It also includes templates and sample pleadings developed by self-help centers to assist self-represented litigants in completing forms and pleadings.

Courts throughout the country have also developed materials to assist self-represented litigants. You can access many of those materials through http://www.selfhelpsupport.org

This section includes samples of instructions and handouts providing basic legal information and explanation about the court processes from several superior courts. It also includes templates and sample pleadings courts have developed to help litigants. IMPORTANT: Use only materials provided by the court of jurisdiction in your case, or confirm with your court that the instructions and procedures are the same. Links to all of California's superior courts can be found at http://www.courts.ca.gov/find-my-court.htm. If you are a self-represented litigant and need help with a legal matter, please visit the California Courts Online Self-Help Center.

 

Adoption	Enforcement/Judgment Collection	Personal Injury
Alternative Dispute Resolution	Evidence	Probate
Appeals	Expungements	Research Tools
Arbitration	Family Law	Seniors
Civil - General	Fee Waiver	Service of Process
Civil Harassment	Foreclosure Issues	Tips on Representing Yourself
Civil Procedure	Fraud	Traffic
Conservatorship	Gender Change	Trial Preparation
Consumer/Small Claims	Guardian Ad Litem
Contracts	Guardianship
Criminal	Interpreter Information
Cross-National Issues	Juvenile Dependency and Delinquency
Debt Collection	Landlord/Tenant
Discovery	Mediation
Domestic Violence	Name Change