Ventura — Civil Self-Help Center

Source: https://ventura.courts.ca.gov/self-help/civil-self-help-center

Civil Self-Help Center

About the Civil Self-Help Center

The Ventura Superior Court Self Help Centers helps self-represented litigants. The Self-Help Centers help parties who have questions about their legal issues. THE SELF-HELP CENTERS CANNOT ASSIST YOU IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY OR HAVE AN ATTORNEY OF RECORD ON FILE WITH THE COURT.

The Civil Self-Help Center does NOT assist with all types of civil cases. Specifically, the Civil Self-Help Center does NOT assist litigants with initiating civil lawsuits, small claims cases, criminal matters, certain probate trust issues, and appeals/writs. You may need to hire an attorney in certain cases.

The Civil Self-Help Center provides assistance to self-represented litigants on the following topics. Click the link below for online assistance:

Civil Harassment Restraining Order

Unlawful Detainer (Evictions)

Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Order

Debt Lawsuits (Collections)

Name Change

Recognition of Gender

Clean Your Criminal Record

Stepparent Adoption

Guardianship

Conservatorship (Helping a person with an impairment or disability)

Ventura: Ventura Courthouse, 800 South Victoria Avenue, on the first floor, Room 106, in Ventura, CA 93009.

Oxnard: Juvenile and Probate Courthouse at 4353 E. Vineyard Avenue, on the second floor, Room 206, in Oxnard (El Rio), CA 93036.

Click here for the hours of operation: Civil Self-Help Schedule.pdf [Horario de Servicios]

THE CENTERS CAN: (1) Provide you with general legal information and your options; (2) Assist you with selecting appropriate court forms; (3) Provide general information on how to fill out court forms; (4) Provide you with information about court processes and procedures; and (5) Review your filled-out forms for completeness before filing.

THE CENTERS CANNOT: (1) Fill out forms or draft documents for you; (2) Give you legal advice or an opinion; (3) Represent or go to court with you; (4) Tell you what to say on your forms or in court; (5) Help you with case strategy; (6) File or serve documents for you; (7) Predict the outcome of your case.

The Attorneys and Staff at the Centers work for the court and must remain neutral and impartial. There is no attorney-client relationship between you and Centers. The Centers may provide information and services to the other party in your case. Communications between you and the Centers are NOT confidential. You should consult with a private attorney if you want personalized advice, strategy, to have a confidential conversation, or to be represented in court.

How can I get help?

IN-PERSON ASSISTANCE

Walk-Ins: Check our schedule for walk-in days and times by clicking here: Civil Self-Help Schedule[Horario de Servicios]

PHONE OR ZOOM APPOINTMENTS

To set a phone or Zoom video conferencing appointment, please go to www.calendly.com/vcscreservations and select either Civil Self-Help (Ventura) or Civil Self-Help (Oxnard).

Your appointment will be no longer than 15 minutes. Please have all your forms and questions ready to make the most of your time.

EMAIL

E-mail your question to the Self-Help Legal Access Center.

Self-Help staff will respond to your e-mail within five court days (excluding court closures and holidays).

Please be sure to check your e-mail, including your spam folder for the response.

CALL CENTER (TELEPHONE ASSISTANCE)

Check our schedule for current information about our Call Center by clicking here: Civil Self-Help Schedule[Horario de Servicios]

WEBINARS

Free legal self-help webinars are where a self-help attorney answers questions and provides instructions on how to fill out and file court forms. The webinars are held with Zoom video conferencing.

For information on the webinars currently being offered, visit our Self-Help Webinars page. To register for a webinar, please go to www.calendly.com/vcselfhelpcenter and select the one appropriate for you.

For more information about registering and attending webinars, you can watch the videos on the Ventura Superior Court’s YouTube page titled:

How to Register for a Webinar

How to Participate in a Legal Self-Help Webinar

What forms do I need?

Civil Self-Help Form Packets

Evictions

Complaint - Unlawful Detainer

Answer - Unlawful Detainer

Answer / Respuesta - Unlawful Detainer (Desalojo)

Expungement

Misdemeanor Expungement

Name and/or Gender Changes

Petition for Change of Name for Self and for Change of Name for Minor Children

Petition for Recognition of Change of Gender and Sex Identifier for Issuance of New Birth Certificate and Change of Name for an Adult

Petition for Recognition of Minor's Change of Gender and Sex Identifier for Issuance of New Birth Certificate and Change of Name

Probate

Conservatorship (Contact the Civil Self-Help Center before printing any forms)

Guardianship (Contact the Civil Self-Help Center before printing any forms)

Termination of Guardianship

Fee Waiver Packet for Conservatorship and Guardianship Cases

Fee Waiver

Fee Waiver Packet for Family Law and Civil Cases

Civil Harassment Restraining Order (CHRO)

Request for Civil Harassment Restraining Orders

Response to Request for Civil Harassment Restraining Orders

Elder Abuse Restraining Order (EARO)

Request for Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Orders

Response to Request for Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Orders

Helpful Videos

CIVIL [VENTURA SUPERIOR COURT] YOUTUBE VIDEOS

Information on Ex Parte (Emergency) Hearings

Limited Conservatorship: What You Need to Know Before You File

How to Change Your Name or Your Child's Name

How to Answer an Unlawful Detainer Complaint

With Heart: Understanding Conservatorship [with Spanish Subtitles]

For Civil Self-Help Assistance:

Schedule of Services

Horario de Servicios

E-mail the Civil Self-Help Center

Schedule an appointment

Register for a Zoom Webinar