Small claims
Superior Court of California
COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ
Beginning July 7, 2008
Small Claims Advisor
(831) 786-7370 or
selfhelp.information@santacruzcourt.org
(you must include your phone number in any email)
- Leave a Message Any Time
- Live Call-in Service
Tuesdays 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Walk-in Hours in Watsonville (Only After Phone Consultation)
Thursdays 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
1 Second Street, Room 301, Watsonville, CA 95076
Calls and Emails returned within one week, or sooner if possible. Walk-in service provided on a first come, first served basis (please note that availability may fill up before the end of stated hours of operation).
The Small Claims Advisor provides legal information, assistance preparing court forms, and procedural advice to self-represented litigants, such as:
- What to do Before Filing
- Filing Defendant's Claim
- Jurisdiction and Venue
- Requesting a Continuance of the Hearing
- Where to File
- Mediation Options
- How to Name a Defendant
- Paying Judgment in Installments
- Service of Process
- How to Collect a Judgment
There is no attorney-client relationship or confidentiality between the public and the Small Claims Advisor. The Small Claims Advisor remains neutral and is available to all parties in a dispute. The Small Claims Advisor is not responsible for the outcome of any case.
Get Forms and Information Online
California Courts – Small Claims Information
www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/smallclaims
En Español – Reclamos Menores
www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/espanol
California Courts – Free Court Forms
Department of Consumer Affairs
www.dca.ca.gov/publications/small_claims
The Small Claims Court, A Guide to Its Practical Use
State Bar of California
Free Consumer Pamphlet: How Do I Use the Small Claims Court
Secretary of State – California Business Portal
Online Services including Corporations Search
Conflict Resolution Center
Local Mediation Services
(831) 475-6117
Santa Cruz County Government
The Law – California Codes, Rules, Statutes
