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Self-Help

Self-Help Assistance by Case Types

Self-Help Services provides free assistance to individuals without an attorney with the case types listed below.

  • Self-Help Civil

    • What is Civil Action?
    • Assistance by Phone, in Person or Online
    • Court Reporter Pooling

  • Self-Help Criminal

    • Criminal at a Glance
    • Criminal Copy and Record Search Requests

  • Self-Help Family Law

    • Family Law at a Glance
    • Self-Help Centers and Workshops

  • Infractions (Non-Traffic)

    • Infractions (Non-Traffic) at a Glance
    • Assistance by Phone, in Person or Online

  • Self-Help Juvenile

    • Juvenile Court at a Glance
    • Courthouse Location and Information

  • Landlord / Tenant

    • What Is an Unlawful Detainer Action?
    • Assistance by Phone, in Person or Online

  • Self-Help Name Change

    • Changing an Adult's Name-Divorce Related or Non Divorce Related (California Courts Website)
    • Changing a Child's Name (California Courts Website)

  • Self-Help Probate

    • Conservatorships (California Courts website)
    • Guardianships (California Courts website)

  • Restraining Orders

    • Protective Orders at a Glance
    • Multiple Restraining Orders

  • Self-Help Small Claims

    • Small Claims at a Glance
    • Assistance by Phone, in Person or Online

  • Self-Help Traffic

    • Traffic at a Glance
    • Assistance by Phone, in Person or Online

Our Mission Statement

The Superior Court of Orange County Self-Help Centers and website provide services and procedural information for self-represented litigants in order to increase understanding, participation, and access to the justice system and to enhance efficiencies and effectiveness of the court.

Self-Help Services

Self-Help Services provides free assistance to individuals without an attorney with the case types listed below. We do not provide legal advice or legal representation. Our services include legal procedural information, legal forms, review of completed forms, and referrals.

  • Family Law
  • Child support matters involving the Department of Child Support Services
  • Civil and Small Claims
  • Residential landlord/tenant
  • Probate
  • Criminal/Traffic

Click on the link below to learn about the Self-Help Services we offer.

Self-Help Services

In-Person Assistance

We provide in-person assistance at our locations below.

Central Justice Center (Santa Ana)

  • We provide in-person assistance for civil issues, including small claims, residential evictions, probate, as well as criminal and traffic issues.
  • Current hours of operation:
    • Monday – Friday     8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    • Limited Services – Fridays from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Lamoureaux Justice Center (Orange)

  • We provide in-person assistance for family law matters. Due to long wait times, we strongly encourage you to make an appointment by visiting: tinyurl.com/SHLJCappointment.
  • Current hours of operation:
    • Monday – Friday     8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    • Limited Services – Fridays from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

COSTA MESA JUSTICE COMPLEX (Costa Mesa) Services are available every Monday

  • We provide in-person assistance for probate matters.
  • Current hours of operation:
    • Every Monday     8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Closed from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.)

West Justice Center (Westminster)

Services are available every 1st and 3rd Thursday

  • We provide in-person assistance for civil issues, including small claims, residential evictions, probate, family law, as well as criminal and traffic issues.
  • Current hours of operation:
    • Every 1st and 3rd Thursday     8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Closed from 12 noon to 1:00 pm)

North Justice Center (Fullerton)

Services are available every 2nd and 4th Tuesday

  • We provide in-person assistance for civil issues, including small claims, residential evictions, probate, family law, as well as criminal and traffic issues.
  • Current hours of operation:
    • Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday     8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Harbor Justice Center (Newport Beach)

Services are available every 2nd and 4th Wednesday

  • We provide in-person assistance for civil issues, including small claims, residential evictions, probate, family law, as well as criminal and traffic issues.
  • Current hours of operation:
    • Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday     8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Closed from 12 noon to 1:00 pm)

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Assistance by Self-Help Service Teams

Please click on the appropriate Team name below (left column) for more information about our services. Note that phone assistance is only available for certain case types as noted below.

Family Law Self-Help Team To schedule an in-person appointment at the Lamoreaux Justice Center, click here.

*No phone hours until further notice

Facilitator’s Office Self-Help Team

Must have pending Department of Child Support Services case

657-622-5077
Civil Self-Help Team

Criminal / Traffic Self-Help Team

See above for walk-in assistance at the Central Justice Center.

*No phone hours until further notice

Probate Self-Help Team
 
657-622-7170
Landlord / Tenant Self-Help Team
 

See above for walk-in assistance at the Central Justice Center.

*No phone hours until further notice

File @ Home

Click on the button below to learn more.

File @ Home

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