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Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator

Domestic Violence Restraining Orders:
For help asking for a domestic violence restraining order against your spouse, your partner or someone you dated, go to the Bay Area Legal Aid Domestic Violence Restraining Order Clinic or call: (650) 358-0745.
For help with restraining orders, go to the Family Law Facilitator Restraining Order Clinic.

The Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator (SHC/FLF) helps people who need legal information but do not have lawyers. Help is free.

NOTICE: The Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator (SHC/FLF) is providing services remotely through our expanded LiveChat hours. Click on the blue box at the bottom right corner of this page. For more information about LiveChat hours and in-person services, please see our flyer.

For small claims assistance please find information about our Small Claims Advisor.
For unlawful detainer (eviction) referrals please see Landlord/Tenant Clinic.

    LOCATION SCHEDULE
    Southern Branch: Hall of Justice and Records
    400 County Center -- 6th Floor
    Redwood City, California
    • PLEASE contact us via LiveChat located on this page BEFORE coming to the office.
    • For the current hours of the Office of the Family Law Facilitator for both in person and LiveChat service, please see our flyer.
    • For assistance with applying for a restraining order please also see our Restraining Order Clinic flyer

    • Divorce or legal separation, like:
      • Starting the petition or completing a response
      • Completing Preliminary Declaration of Disclosure
      • Preparing Default Judgment
      • Writing up agreements or stipulated judgments
      • Preparing the order after you go to court
    • Child support, spousal or partner support, like:
      • Calculating the amount of support
      • Filling out forms to set up or change support, back support (arrears), and medical reimbursement
      • Filling out Income & Expense Declarations
      • Helping mediate the amount of support
      • Writing up agreements
      • Preparing the order after you go to court
    • Child custody and parenting time (visitation), like:
      • Asking to get or change a custody and parenting time order
      • Writing up agreements
      • Preparing the order after you go to court
    • Establishing or disputing parental relationship (parentage or paternity)
    • Domestic violence restraining orders
    • Civil Harassment Restraining Orders
    • Elder Abuse Restraining Orders
    • Name Changes of Minors or Adults
    • Grandparent Visitation

    Visit our Self-Help Center home page to get more information about these types of cases.

    For other types of cases, visit Additional Resources and Help.

    • Bring all papers about your case, like court forms, legal papers, paystubs or other proof of income for the last 2 months, bills, police reports, receipts, etc.
    • Do not bring children under 18 to our office. Ask someone to watch them while you meet with us. No childcare is currently available at the courthouse.
    • If you do not speak English well, we will make every effort to help you in your language with available staff or interpreters. But you may want bring an adult with you to help you with English and your language.