Self-Help Center

The Self-Help Center provides legal and procedural information and assistance with court forms to self-represented litigants with cases in or who reside in Placer County.

The Self-Help Center does not represent people in court and the services provided do not result in an attorney-client relationship. With the exception of Settlement Services (defined below), we cannot assist litigants who are represented by attorneys and our services are not confidential. We assist both sides of the case equally. To get legal advice or have a confidential conversation, you must speak with a private attorney. All services of the Self-Help Center are free of charge.

Telephone and Video Appointments:

• Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and Tuesdays from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

In-Person Appointments:

• Limited, walk-in appointments available Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
  • There are 4 walk-in appointments available and it is first come, first served. We highly suggest you preschedule an appointment as walk-in appointments fill up quickly.
• Prescheduled, in-person appointments available Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and additional appointments on Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Live Chat Assistance:

• Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Video Settlement Services:

• Monday - Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

To schedule a telephone appointment, in-person appointment, or video appointment with the Self-Help Center, visit our appointment reservation system.

Self-Help Center Services Matrix

How to Schedule a Self-Help Appointment

The Self-Help Center offers assistance with restraining orders. 

The Self-Help Center will attempt to steer you in the right direction in any type of case. The bulk of the matters we help with are family law, child support, evictions, small claims, guardianships and restraining orders. Below, our most frequently provided services are listed by type of law. We also provide instruction sheets and links if you would like to do the paperwork yourself. If you do not see what you need on this web page and you need assistance, just ask!

The Self-Help Center offers assistance to Self-Represented litigants by telephone or video conference.

Access the appointment reservation system.

The Self-Help Center offers in-person assistance on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings at the designated clerk’s window located on the first floor of the Hon. Howard G. Gibson Courthouse located at the Santucci Justice Center in Roseville, California. 

There are limited, 20-minute walk-in appointments offered Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. For walk-in services, go to the kiosk located in the lobby of the Gibson Ccourthouse and select a ticket from the kiosk for “Self Help Center.” Services are provided on a first come, first served basis.

The Self-Help Center also offers limited, 20-minute prescheduled in-person appointments on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and additional appointments on Tuesdays from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.   To schedule an in-person appointment, visit the appointment reservation system.
 

Yes, the Self-Help Center offers Self-Represented litigants one-on-one assistance remotely through video conferencing. To schedule a video conference appointment. Access the appointment reservation system.

To ask general and case-related questions by email, please email CIC@placer.courts.ca.gov or visit our court website and click on the Contact Us link. Please type “ATTN: Self-Help” in the subject line of your email. Typical response time is within 2 days.

Yes, the Self-Help Center offers Live Chat assistance for divorce, legal separation, small claims, and child support cases on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 1:30pm -4:00pm excluding court holidays. The Live Chat application is located at the bottom right-hand side of this page and it is first come, first served.

Yes. The Self-Help Center provides two (2) daily video appointments Monday – Friday at 10:30 a.m .and 1:30 p.m.  for Settlement Services to help finish your family law matter.

Video Self-Help Settlement Services is a no-cost service available for family law cases in which one or both parties to the case are self-represented. If both parties are represented by an attorney, they cannot participate in Self-Help Settlement Services. However, if both parties are represented by an attorney in a Family Law case and interested in settlement or alternative dispute resolution, you may contact the Placer County Bar Association for assistance and schedule a settlement conference. For Video Self-Help Settlement Services, Self-Help staff will serve as a Settlement Officer during a video conference with the parties to attempt to resolve issues that are not related to custody, visitation, or domestic violence issues. Like all Self-Help Center services, the Settlement Services staff person that you will meet with is not your attorney. There is no attorney/client privilege. However, based on Evidence Code Section 1119, statements made during the Video Settlement Services discussions are confidential and not admissible in court. Please see the Video Self-Help Settlement Services Information Sheet for IMPORTANT information.

NOTE: In order to access Video Self-Help Settlement Services:

1. Both parties MUST complete and exchange their preliminary disclosures before requesting a video Self-Help Settlement Services appointment.
2. You may ask the court to set a video settlement appointment for you during a court hearing; or
3. Both parties must agree to three (3) and up to five (5) potential appointment dates. Parties should be available for time slots chosen on their requested dates. Available appointments can be viewed by clicking Self-Help Video Settlement Services Availability. Once the dates are chosen, submit a request for an appointment date signed by both parties (Form PL-FL024T).
   1. Requests can be time-stamped and left in the Gibson Courthouse drop-box next to the 1st floor information desk or mailed to the Self-Help Center. Mail requests to the Self-Help Center at P.O. Box 619072, Roseville, CA 95661 no less than 10 business days prior to the soonest appointment date to allow time for processing and appointment confirmation.
   2. Requests can also be submitted to the Court electronically at the edelivery portal or emailed to the Self-Help Center at CIC@placer.courts.ca.gov
4. You will receive confirmation of your appointment date and time and instructions on how to enter the video conference from the Self-Help Center. Confirmations will be sent to both parties at the email addresses provided.
5. IMPORTANT: To participate in the video conference you will need a device capable of video calling with a webcam, microphone and headphones. You are strongly encouraged to connect from a computer/laptop rather than a mobile device or tablet. You will also need a high speed internet connection.

Watch the Video: Going to Court During Covid-19

Credit: SHARP Program, Butte County Superior Court

Watch the Video: Going to Court Remotely Via Video Conference

Credit: SHARP Program, Butte County Superior Court

Displaying Your Evidence in the Courtroom

A short video on how to use the courtroom equipment to display your evidence.

Click here for more information about going to court remotely via video conference

Self-Help Center Feedback Policy

Self-Help Center Feedback Form