How to represent yourself in a California state court
You can represent yourself in most California civil, family, probate and small claims cases. Courts call you a self-represented litigant, or a party "in pro per." Every superior court runs a free self-help center, most of the paperwork is a set of statewide Judicial Council forms, and the deadlines are short and strict. This guide walks through the order you will meet them in. It is legal information, not legal advice; for advice on your own case, talk to a lawyer or a court self-help center.
At a glance
- Court Superior Court of California, in each of the 58 counties
- Forms issued by Judicial Council of California, plus some local court forms
- Free help A self-help center at every superior court
- Small claims limit $12,500 for an individual, $6,250 for a business; no lawyers in court
- Fee waiver Form FW-001 with form FW-003
- Answer to a civil lawsuit 30 days after personal service
- Catalog forms SC-100, Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court, FL-100, Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, FW-001, Request to Waive Court Fees, FW-003, Order on Court Fee Waiver, PLD-050, General Denial
- Form categories California court forms
Start with the court's free help
Every superior court in California has free legal help for family law and small claims cases, and several courts also help with other kinds of cases. Staff can explain your options, help with forms and tell you how a step works, but they cannot tell you what to decide or go to court for you. Each of the 58 counties also has a family law facilitator, an attorney-staffed office for child support, spousal support and health insurance questions. The California Courts Self-Help Guide lists each court's services, and its legal help page lists free and low-cost legal aid.
Find the form that starts your case
Most forms are published by the Judicial Council and used in every county, but a court may also require one or two local forms of its own. Ask the clerk or the self-help center whether you have the latest version; the Judicial Council revises forms, often on January 1. The Self-Help Guide to court forms explains how to find them.
| Your situation | Form that starts or answers it | Filing fee |
|---|---|---|
| Suing for up to $12,500 (an individual) or $6,250 (a business) | SC-100, Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court | $30–$100 |
| Starting a divorce or legal separation | FL-100, Petition | $435–$450 |
| Divorcing together with your spouse | FL-700, Joint Petition (since January 1, 2026) | $870 |
| You were sued in a civil case | An Answer, or in some cases PLD-050, General Denial | Set by the court |
| You are a tenant served with an eviction | UD-105, Answer | Set by the court |
In small claims court neither side can have a lawyer represent them at the hearing, though you can get legal advice before it. The small claims page and the divorce process page explain each case from the first form on. A divorce takes at least six months to finish; a legal separation has no waiting period.
Ask for a fee waiver if you cannot pay
If you cannot afford the filing fee, file FW-001, Request to Waive Court Fees, with your first papers, together with FW-003, Order on Court Fee Waiver, where the court writes its decision. You qualify if you meet any one of three tests: you receive public benefits such as Medi-Cal, CalFresh, SSI/SSP or CalWORKs; your household income is below the amount listed in item 5b of FW-001; or you cannot pay for your household's basic needs and the fees. If your income goes up after a waiver is granted, tell the court within five days on FW-010. The fee waiver page has the current form and instructions (FW-001-INFO).
Watch the deadline to respond
Missing a response deadline usually means the other side can ask for a default, and the case goes ahead without you.
| Papers you were served | Time to file your response |
|---|---|
| Summons and complaint in a civil lawsuit, handed to you | 30 days, counting weekends and court holidays |
| Same papers left with someone and then mailed to you | 40 days after they were mailed |
| Eviction (unlawful detainer) summons, handed to you | 10 court days, not counting weekends or court holidays |
In a civil case the two sides can agree to extend the deadline by 15 days. The Self-Help Guide on being sued and its eviction Answer page explain the exceptions, including longer times for mailed eviction papers.
Serve the other side and file proof
You cannot serve papers yourself. An adult who is not a party to the case delivers or mails them, and you then file a proof of service with the court showing how and when it was done. The Self-Help Guide on serving an Answer shows which proof of service form fits each method.
Know the same rules apply to you
The court holds a self-represented party to the same rules of procedure and evidence as a lawyer. If your case involves a contested trial, expert witnesses or significant assets, consider paying a lawyer for limited help, such as one hearing or a review of your papers, instead of full representation; the self-help center can tell you about lawyer referral services in your county.
The California court forms on Instafill.ai, including SC-100, FL-100 and FW-001, can be filled online from the documents and details you give, for you to check before filing.
