Self-Help Center
The Superior Court of Nevada County offers free help to the self-represented public. We can give you information on a variety of basic legal issues and types of cases, including family law and small claims. We cannot give you legal advice or tell you what you should do.
- Ask us your questions in person or by email . Phone is not available at this time. Thank you for your patience.
- Find step by step instructions and forms online.
Services we offer
The Self-Help Center provides legal and procedural information and assistance with court forms to self-represented litigants. We assist both sides of the case equally. All services of the Self-Help Center are free of charge, other than costs of copying, printing and postage.
Self-Help Center CANNOT:
- give you legal or strategy advice.
- answer any question that asks "Should?"
- have a confidential communication with you.
- represent anyone in court.
- have an attorney-client relationship with anyone.
- assist you if you are represented by an attorney.
- help with federal cases, such as bankruptcy or social security, or
- help with appeals.
To get legal advice or have a confidential conversation, you must speak with a private attorney.
Self-Help Center and Law Library are closed on:
Thursday, April 10, 2025 for Training.
Monday, May 26, 2025 for Memorial Day.
Thursday, June 19, 2025 for Juneteenth.
Friday, July 4, 2025 for Independence Day.
Monday, September 1, 2025 for Labor Day.
Monday, September 15, 2025 - Friday, September 19, 2025 for Training. No services are available in either location, including email.
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 for Self-Help Services in Truckee. Law Library open limited hours.
Friday, September 26, 2025 for Native American Day.
Tuesday, November 11, 2025 for Veteran's Day.
Thursday, November 27, 2025 - Friday November 28, 2025 for Thanksgiving.
Thursday, December 25, 2025 for Christmas Day.
Thursday, January 1, 2026 for New Year's Day.
We will not be available in Nevada City for any purposes during Truckee dates or during training days. This includes answering email.
Click >here< to submit a question or request. We will reply as soon as we can when staff is available. Priority is given to walk-in patrons. Email will be returned as staffing allows. There is no time estimate for return of email. We do not currently have the staff to answer or return telephone calls.
Self-Help Staff will be in the Truckee Courthouse the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. The Nevada City Office may be CLOSED on those days. Law Library in Nevada City will generally be open from 10:00 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Please note that the Law Librarian is not Self-Help staff and CANNOT answer Self-Help, Family Law Facilitator or Small Claims Advisor questions.
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Self Help Center in Truckee 2025 - Expanded Dates |
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Truckee Self-Help is walk-in from 9:00 a.m. to noon and by pre-appointment in the afternoon. All Truckee dates are Wednesdays unless noted.
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The Self-Help Center / Family Law Facilitator / Small Claims Advisor / Law Library will be closed all court holidays.
2025 Holidays
New Year's Day
Wednesday, January 1
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, January 20
Lincoln's Birthday
Wednesday, February 12
President's Day
Monday, February 17
Cesar Chavez Day
Monday, March 31
Memorial Day
Monday, May 26
Juneteenth
Thursday, June 19
Independence Day
Friday, July 4
Labor Day
Monday, September 1
Native American Day
Friday, September 26
Veterans Day
Tuesday, November 11
Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 27
Day After Thanksgiving
Friday, November 28
Christmas Day
Thursday, December 25
While we are out, you can still help yourself. Useful links are on the Self-Help Tab.
Law Library
The Nevada County Law Library is the primary depository of legal reference materials for the County of Nevada and provides open access of these resources to all members of the community.
Step-by-step instructions online
The State of California provides online information and resources for people representing themselves in a court case. Access these easy-to-read step-by-step instructions for navigating your court case from any device.
Types of Cases
We can help you help yourself with most non-criminal legal problems. We cannot help with Federal law or appeals. We have detailed resources on these areas:
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Alternative Dispute Resolution
The Self-Help Center offers services for mediation and arbitration.
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Small Claims
The Small Claims Advisor is available through the Self-Help Center located in the Law Library.
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Family Law Facilitator
The office of the Family Law Facilitator assists self-represented parties with child support, spousal support and health insurance issues.
Top California Court FAQs
The following are links to the State of California's Self-Help Center frequently asked questions pages. Information is provided in English and Spanish.
Divorce & Separation
Custody & Parenting Time
Name Change
Small Claims
Restraining Orders
Evictions & Unlawful Detainer
Additional Resources
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SHARP Portal
The SHARP portal walks through many kinds of forms.
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Sacramento Law Library
You can do research through the Sacramento County Law Library. They post Sacramento-specific addresses and court procedures, but the general information is very helpful.
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Legal Services of Northern California
For additional help, contact the Auburn office of Legal Services of Northern California.
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Online Resources
View a collection of additional self-help resources available online.
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Self-Help Forms sent to Self-Represented litigantsSelf-Help Forms sent to Self-Represented litigants