If you live in Santa Clara County, you can come in person to the Self-Help Center Office in downtown San Jose. The Self-Help Center Office can help guide you through the court system in Santa Clara County. Click for information on the Family Law Facilitator's Office.

This section will give you answers to these questions:

• Where are the Self-Help Centers located and when are they open?
• Do I need an appointment for the Self-Help Center?
• How can the Self-Help Center help me?
• Are there lawyers at the Self-Help Center?
• Can I get help with forms?
• Do I need to bring anything to the Self-Help Center?
• What if I have or used to have a lawyer?
• What if I don’t speak English?
• Can I bring my children?
   

Where are the Self-Help Center Offices and when are they open?

The main San Jose Self-Help Center is at:

Notre Dame Courthouse
99 Notre Dame Avenue
San Jose, CA 95113

Days and Hours at Notre Dame: open Mon. - Thurs. 8:30 am - 4:00 pm (on Fridays, there are no walk-in sessions with the Self Help Center lawyer)

Beginning May 2009 the South County Self-Help Center will be open at:

South County Courthouse
301 Diana Avenue
Morgan hill, CA 95037

The new South County Self-Help Center will provide services in the same way as the main San Jose Self-Help Center at Notre Dame Courthouse, except that it only helps with family law issues and restraining orders and for limited hours. For help with guardianship, unlawful detain, civil and other cases, please visit the Self-Help Center at the Notre Dame Courthouse.

Days and hours beginning May 2009 at South County Self-Help Center - open for walk-in hours (except court holidays):

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
8:30-12:30	8:30-4 (closed 12:30-1:30)	1:30-4	1:30-4	Closed

Do I need an appointment for the Self-Help Center?

No. Just come in. You’ll get a number when you arrive. We help people on a first come, first serve basis. People arrive early for help, before the courthouse opens.


How can the Self-Help Center help me?

The Self-Help Center can refer you to the resources you need for your Court case. We may:

• give you information,
• refer you to other Court resources or a private agency, or
• recommend you talk to a lawyer.

If you cannot afford a lawyer, we can tell you about free and low-cost legal resources.


Are there lawyers at the Self-Help Center?

There is a lawyer at the Center.  The lawyer is there to help you learn about your legal rights and responsibilities.  They cannot give legal advice or tell you the best way to deal with your case. They can only give you information and options about a limited number of issues.  They will either:

• help you at the Center,
• refer you to other organizations that can help you, or
• refer you to a private attorney.

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Can I get help with forms?

Yes. There are other people who work at the Center who are not lawyers. They can show you how to:

• use this website,
• print information or forms from this website, and
• fill out and print online forms.

The Self-Help Center has printed information and forms for:

• civil cases,
• family law cases,
• unlawful detainer cases,
• guardianship, conservatorship and some Probate cases,
• expungements,
• fee waiver applications, and
• all approved Judicial Council forms.
   

We also have pamphlets and books on many topics including divorce, tenants’ rights and guardianships.


Do I need to bring anything to the Self-Help Center?

If you already have a Court case, bring copies of all papers in your Court file.

If you are thinking about filing a lawsuit, bring all the information and documents you have related to your case.

If you are being sued, bring copies of all documents you were served or got from the Court.

Read this flyer, How to Use the Self-Help Center (Family Law Facilitator's Office), for important specific information about what you need to bring!
 

What if I have or used to have a lawyer?

If you have a lawyer now, we cannot help you with your case.

If you had a lawyer before, but do not have one now, you must bring a written, filed court order that proves you do not have a lawyer now.


What if I don’t speak English?

If you do not speak English, please bring your own translator.
 

Can I bring my children?

If your children are between 2 and 12 years old, you can take them to the Children's Waiting Rooms (CWRs) at the Notre Dame Courthouse or the South County Courthouse, Morgan Hill, while you visit the Self-Help Centers in those courthouses.

The Children's Waiting Room is a program that has snacks and activities for your children.

If you have court-related things to take care of, it is free!

You should make an appointment in advance. If you come without an appointment, the CWRs will take children on a first come, first served basis.

Come early because you will have to fill out forms before you can drop your children off.

See the Children's Waiting Room web page for forms, hours, addresses and phone numbers.

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