A curated guide to family law

State

County

Courts

Family law judgments and orders are only available through a court's power of adjudication. That means the courts are the only way to obtain a judgment of divorce or an order for child custody and visitation. Most case types are subject to jurisdictional qualifications, due process requiring proper notice to all parties and filing fees. In some circumstances, a fee waiver may be available.

Superior Court of California, Alameda County

County: Alameda
Biz Office Phone: (510) 891-6000
FCS Phone: (510) 272-1393
Website: https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/
Local Forms: https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/general-information/local-rules/appendix-forms
Local Rules: https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/general-information/local-rules-forms
Court Holidays: https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/general-information/court-holidays
e-Filing: https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/online-services/e-filing

Superior Court of California, Alpine County

County: Alpine
Biz Office Phone: (530) 694-2113
FCS Phone: (530) 694-2113
Website: https://www.alpine.courts.ca.gov/
Local Forms: https://www.alpine.courts.ca.gov/forms-filing/local-forms
Local Rules: https://www.alpine.courts.ca.gov/general-information/local-rules
Court Holidays: https://www.alpine.courts.ca.gov/general-information/court-holidays
e-Filing: https://www.alpine.courts.ca.gov/online-services/efiling

Superior Court of California, Amador County

County: Amador
Biz Office Phone: (209) 257-2500
FCS Phone: (209) 257-2500
Website: https://www.amadorcourt.org/
Local Forms: https://www.amadorcourt.org/forms-filing/local-forms
Local Rules: https://www.amadorcourt.org/general-information/local-rules
Court Holidays: https://www.amadorcourt.org/general-information/court-holidays
e-Filing: https://www.amadorcourt.org/online-services/efiling
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Self-Help Offices

Self-help offices provide procedural guidance and help with paperwork to self-represented litigants. Self-help offices cannot provide legal advice or represent you

Alameda Self-Help Center/Family Law Facilitator

State: California
County: Alameda
Phone: (510) 272-1393
Website: https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/self-help

Multiple locations: Oakland (1221 Oak St), Hayward (24405 Amador St), Alameda (George E. McDonald Hall). LiveChat and phone services available. Voicemails returned within 5 business days.

Alpine Family Law Facilitator / Self-Help Center

State: California
County: Alpine
Phone: (530) 573-3066
Email: selfhelp@alpine.courts.ca.gov
Website: https://www.alpine.courts.ca.gov/self-help

Alpine County shares services with El Dorado County. Lisa Kindel, FLF at 495 Main St, Placerville (530) 621-5098

Amador Family Law Facilitator / Self-Help Center

State: California
County: Amador
Phone: (209) 257-2627
Email: selfhelp@amadorcourt.org
Website: https://www.amadorcourt.org/dv-family.aspx

Kori Tearpak, Family Law Facilitator. Focus on child support cases. Available by appointment and limited drop-in.

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Law Libraries

Law libraries are great resources for self-represented litigants, with access to current statutes, codes, rules and case law. Many law libraries also offer access to premium legal research applications like Westlaw and Lexis. Most law libraries also offer practice guides that attorneys often reach for when starting a research project. Law libraries are usually staffed with helpful and knowledgeable staff who can't provide legal advice, but can point you in the right direction.

Bernard E. Witkin State Law Library

State: California
Website: https://www.library.ca.gov/law/
Workshop Availability: Check with library
Westlaw Access: Available
Lexis Access: Available

Bernard E. Witkin Alameda County Law Library

State: California
County: Alameda
Website: http://lawlibrary.acgov.org
Workshop Availability: Yes - free MCLE programs and workshops on legal topics; Lawyers in the Library program; legal clinics
Westlaw Access: Yes - available in-person
Lexis Access: Yes - Lexis+ and LexisNexis Digital Library (remote access)

Amador County Law Library

State: California
County: Amador
Website: https://www.amadorgov.org/departments/library/law-library
Workshop Availability: Check with library
Westlaw Access: Available
Lexis Access: Available
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Community Service Providers

Pro Bono Service Providers deliver free legal services. Most pro bono services are only available to litigants who qualify by low income or other criteria.

211 LA - Los Angeles County

State: California
County: Los Angeles
Website: https://211la.org/
Phone: 211
Service Type: General Community Services
Pro Bono Representation: No

Wildfire recovery assistance available

211 Los Angeles

State: California
County: Los Angeles
Website: https://www.211la.org/
Phone: 211
Service Type: General Community Services
Pro Bono Representation: No

211 Orange County

State: California
County: Orange
Website: https://211oc.org/
Phone: 211
Service Type: General Community Services
Pro Bono Representation: No
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Attorney Referral Programs

Attorney Referral Services are organizations that provide referrals to licensed attorneys. Attorney referral services are typically regulated by the state bar. Visit service websites for more information.

1000Attorneys.com

State: California
Website: http://www.1000attorneys.com

CA State Bar Certified #128, serves statewide, 24/7 service, focuses on employment law and personal injury

AIDS Legal Referral Panel of the San Francisco Bay Area

State: California
Website: http://www.alrp.org

CA State Bar Certified #070, specializes in HIV/AIDS-related legal matters

Alameda County Bar Association LRS

State: California
Website: http://www.acbanet.org

CA State Bar Certified #001

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Law Firms

Private law firms represent individuals in family law cases. Private law firms typically charge hourly rates for their work and require an up-front retainer deposit to guarantee payment of their fees.

A Family Law Firm Inc

State: California
County: Shasta
Website: https://theattorneys.com

Santa Rosa. CA Certified Family Law Specialists (State Bar CA). Nearly 25 years experience, hundreds of Sonoma County cases litigated. Exclusively family law area. Top-rated CFLS. Dissolution, modifications, mediation, child support, enforcement, alimony, custody

Aaron J. Lodge Law

State: California
County: San Mateo

Santa Cruz County. Aaron J. Lodge (23+ years experience, Santa Clara Univ School of Law). BA first graduate work math. Family law, civil rights, divorce

Aaron Judson Lodge Law Office

State: California
County: Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz County. Aaron J. Lodge (23 years). Former math teacher (10 years HS/college). General practice: family law, mediation, civil rights

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