Help Yourself
There are four ways to get help today. You can contact us, attend a free workshop, visit one of our Self-Help Centers, or find more information about our referral programs.
1. CONTACT US
Call our Hotline at 714-571-5200. Our Hotline offers free evaluation, advice, and counsel. Once you are connected with a Community Legal Aid SoCal representative, you will be provided with a plan to assess and address your needs.
No telephone or computer access? Come to our Santa Ana location located at 2101 North Tustin Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705 and use the free phone in the lobby. This will connect you directly to the Hotline. This phone is available on a first-come, first served basis.
2. FREE WORKSHOPS
We provide free workshops to assist clients with completing paperwork and understanding the legal process. Please call our Hotline at 714-571-5200 to register. We offer workshops covering the following topics:
Housing/Evictions Law
Have you been served with an eviction notice? Our Unlawful Detainer (UD) Workshops provide self-represented litigants with an overview of the eviction process and assistance in completing responsive pleadings.
Limited Conservatorships
Limited Conservatorship Workshops are provided for families that may be looking to support an adult with developmental disabilities and are taught in both English and Spanish. These workshops provide a general overview of limited conservatorships, explain the pleadings and filings necessary, and explain how to complete forms and address common problems. These workshops are held once a month at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.
Debt Collection Workshops
In partnership with the Superior Court of Orange County, CLA SoCal offers workshops to provide information and assist litigants with questions about debt collection practices and those who have been sued over debt collection issues. Eligible clients needing help with discovery may be referred to CLA SoCal for additional assistance.
Register for our Remote Workshops in Orange County (held on the 2nd and 3rd Wednesday of each month):
To secure your spot, please complete the registration form, email us at consumerworkshopoc@clsocal.org, or call 657-261-8811 and leave a message with the following details:
- Your Name
- City and Zip Code
- Phone Number
- Email Address
Note: Registration is required to participate in the workshop. You can register using the form, by email, or by phone.
Small Claims Workshop
Led by a Small Claims advisor, self-represented litigants learn how to prepare a case (Friday mornings) and how to collect a judgment (Tuesday afternoons). These workshops are free and open to the public at our Santa Ana office location (first-come, first served basis).
3. SELF-HELP CENTERS
Community Legal Aid SoCal operates Self-Help Centers inside courthouses to assist people who do not have an attorney. The centers provide free legal information, help with court forms, and guidance on court procedures for a variety of civil legal matters.
The Compton Self-Help Center assists self-represented litigants with information related to their case, including family law matters. Staff can provide information packets, review completed court forms for completeness and accuracy, explain filing and court processes, and schedule individuals for family law workshops.
We offer on-site and remote services. The Compton Court Self-Help Center is located at 200 West Compton Boulevard, Room 200 F, Compton, CA 90220, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30-12 and Monday through Thursday from 1-4. To reach the team by phone, please call 323-402-5120.
4. Eviction Diversion Pilot Program
The Eviction Diversion Pilot Program (EDPP)* provides eligible landlords and tenants with free mediation, case management services, and provides up to $10,000 in rental assistance per household to help avoid potential eviction related to unpaid back rent.
For more information, click here.
5. Los Angeles County Tenant Hotline
The Tenant Hotline provides information and assistance to callers with housing-related questions. The line is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., excluding court holidays.
Callers are connected directly with a team member who can explain legal options and provide referrals for in-person assistance.
To reach the Tenant Hotline, please call (323) 352-0301 for information.
6. Referral Programs
Unfortunately, we cannot assist everyone who approaches us for help. If you do not qualify for our services, you can access a list of referrals to other agencies here. Community Legal Aid SoCal is not responsible for services provided by other agencies.
