The Santa Cruz Superior Court offers a free Self Help Center (SHC) to assist self represented customers with a variety of basic legal issues.  The SHC includes the services of the Family Law Facilitator and the Small Claims Advisor.  Below you will find a list of legal issues the SHC can assist you with.  This page also provides other internet and community legal resources that may be helpful to you. 

The Self Help Center can provide court forms and legal information for the following legal issues:

• Family Law: Including, but not limited to, divorce, child support, child custody
• Evictions (residential)
• Name Changes/Gender Change
• Emancipation
• Guardianship of the person
• Restraining Orders: Domestic Violence, Civil Harassment, Elder Abuse
• Small Claims: Limited hours - see below
• Limited Civil (contract cases): Limited hours - see below
• Conservatorship of the person: Limited hours - see below
• Provide community and legal resources

Please read the "come prepared section" at the bottom of this page.
In general please note the following:

• Customers receive service at the Self Help Center on a first come, first serve basis.
• We suggest you arrive before the session starts to ensure a spot in line (sessions start at 8:30 AM and 1 PM).  Sessions often fill up before the stated closure times.
• The Self Help Center is not a safe place for children.  Children are not allowed at the Self Help Center.
• We can not assist you if you have an attorney of record.