Free and low-cost divorce help in San Diego County

What this professional does

The San Diego Superior Court Family Self Help Center links to Family Law Facilitator resources, video workshops, forms and online guide-and-file tools for starting a divorce, legal separation or nullity case. The Facilitator states that it is a self-help provider that helps you help yourself, cannot act as your lawyer, and often has high demand and long waits.

California Courts self-help explains that when you file, you pay a filing fee or ask for a fee waiver. Eligibility is decided by the court, so check the official pages rather than relying on summaries. Nonprofit legal aid and certified lawyer referral services are other routes; check each organisation directly for current services and eligibility.

When to seek this help

• You cannot afford a full-service attorney.
• Your case is relatively simple and you want help with forms.
• You need to understand your options before deciding on representation.
• You want limited help from an attorney for part of the case.

How to prepare

• Your case number, if a case has been filed.
• Any papers you have received or filed.
• Basic income and expense information, for fee waiver forms.
• A short list of questions, since self-help time can be limited.

Questions to ask before hiring

• Is this service free, and if not, how are fees calculated?
• Can you review my forms, or only explain them?
• Are you able to represent me, or is this information only?
• Do you offer workshops or video sessions?

Checking qualifications

• Use court websites ending in sdcourt.ca.gov or courts.ca.gov for official self-help.
• Check any lawyer's State Bar profile. For referral services, use the State Bar's certified referral service page.

Limits of this role

• Self-help staff cannot represent you or take responsibility for your case.
• We do not list fees or eligibility rules for any service because they change. Check the source.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Family Law Facilitator my lawyer?

No. It states that it is a self-help provider and cannot act as your lawyer.

Can I get the filing fee waived?

California Courts self-help explains you can ask for a fee waiver when you file. The court decides eligibility.

Where can I find a lawyer if I can afford limited help?

Browse attorneys in our directory and ask whether they offer limited-scope help, or use a State Bar certified lawyer referral service.

Related topics

• Divorce mediation
• Process servers
• Estate planning updates
• All divorce services
• Find a San Diego divorce lawyer

Primary resources

• San Diego Superior Court, Family Self Help Center: Local court page for forms, the Family Law Facilitator and online guide-and-file tools.
• San Diego Family Law Facilitator resources: The court self-help provider. It states it cannot act as your lawyer and that waits can be long.
• California Courts Self-Help: Start a divorce case: Filing, fee waivers and serving the other person.
• State Bar of California: Find a certified lawyer referral service: State Bar information about certified referral services.
• Legal Aid Society of San Diego: Nonprofit legal aid organisation. Check its site for current services and eligibility.