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Workshops, Clinics & Presentations

Temporary Civil Self-Help Line

**Please note: Due to technical issues, we are currently using a temporary Civil Self-Help Phone Line. For Self-Help Assistance in your Landlord/Tenant case, Civil Harassment case, Small Claims case, or Name Change, you may call 925-608-2178.**

Finish Your Dissolution Clinic Appointments
In our Finish Your Dissolution appointments, Family Law Facilitators are available to assist you with reviewing the final forms to finish your dissolution/divorce case. This clinic is available for those who have completed the initial stages of the divorce case and are ready to submit their proposed Judgment for the court to review. In addition, this clinic is open to you if you have previously submitted a proposed Judgment but your forms were returned by the court for corrections. If you are interested in attending one of these appointments, you can now book these online. Prior to the appointment, your case will be pre-screened. If you are not yet eligible for your Judgment to be submitted the appointment will be canceled. 

Please note that this clinic is not appropriate if you are preparing for a trial date. The Family Law Facilitator’s Office does not assist with trial preparation.
Small Claims Workshops

The Small Claims workshops will walk you through the initial forms and steps to file a small claims case. Workshops will be offered once a month at each of the following locations: Martinez, Richmond, and Pittsburg courthouses. Please note that these workshops will provide a general overview of the small claims process and forms. Specific case questions will not be answered. 

  • Richmond: 1st Thursday of the month - 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
    100 37th Street, CA 94805 - Room 201 & 202
  • Martinez: 3rd Thursday of the month - 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
    Peter L. Spinetta Family Law Building, 751 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553, Room 144-A, Lobby
  • Pittsburg: 4th Thursday of the month - 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
    1000 Center Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565 - Room 1038
If you are interested in attending a small claims workshop, please contact the Small Claims Advisor at smallclaims@contracosta.courts.ca.gov to be pre-screened and registered. Walk-ins will be accepted on a limited basis.
Civil Harassment Restraining Order Clinic
The Civil Harassment Restraining Order Clinic is available to assist you with filling out the forms to start a civil harassment restraining order case or with the response forms to a request for a civil harassment restraining order. Staff are also available to review completed forms as well as answer any questions about civil harassment restraining order forms. Assistance is provided on a first come, first served basis.
Location: Peter L. Spinetta Family Law Building, 751 Pine Street, Martinez, CA 94553  
Room: Room 144-A, Lobby  

Hours: Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

  
Important Information:
• Self-Help Center staff can provide guidance on how to complete forms and can review completed forms, but staff members do not fill out forms and declarations for customers. 
• Please plan to arrive early to allow yourself time to find parking.
• Please do not bring children to the workshop.

• For Martinez workshops only: Free drop-in childcare services for children ages 2 through 14 years old are available at the Children’s Waiting Room in the Peter L. Spinetta Family Law Center. This service may be used by customers conducting court business in Martinez, excluding criminal cases and jury services.

• To check if you are eligible to use the Children’s Waiting, please see their webpage: Children's Waiting Room.
• Bring a photo ID. There may be times when court staff will need to see a photo ID in order to complete their task or function.
• If you cannot speak or read English well, please bring someone to help interpret for you, if you can. We have bilingual staff but we cannot guarantee that they will be available at the time of your workshop.
• Self-Help Center staff can provide legal assistance to help you represent yourself in your court case but cannot give you legal advice. If you want legal or strategic advice, you should speak to a private attorney outside of the court. Self-Help Center staff members are not your attorneys. Staff members do not go to court with you and they are not responsible for the outcome of your case.