Document Assembly Programs

LawHelp Interactive (HotDocs) programs are available for court self-help center staff, legal aid agencies, and advocates who assist self-represented litigants.

About

LawHelp Interactive (LHI) is an online platform administered by a nonprofit organization, Pro Bono Net, which provides access to HotDocs document assembly programs developed by the Judicial Council. Document assembly programs use an interview format to ask litigants, or those assisting litigants, questions that are used to populate Judicial Council forms. HotDocs programs are offered at no cost to court self-help centers, nonprofit legal services agencies and other court partners that serve self-represented litigants.

What's New with LawHelp Interactive / HotDocs?

New Programs

New Bilingual Small Claims Program Available

This program first helps plaintiffs determine whether small claims is right for them. If they have a case that is appropriate for small claims, the program will help them fill out form SC-100 to get their case started. The program also offers an optional fee waiver and will print information sheets about service in small claims. Users may choose to go through the interview in English or in Spanish. Contact us at HotDocs@jud.ca.gov for more information or to customize this program for your use.

Program Updates

  • Last Update: The Judicial Council has approved 151 new and revised forms with an effective date of January 1, 2025. These changes affected 56 HotDocs programs, in the areas of family law, protective orders, probate, and unlawful detainer. The programs were updated and republished for January 1, 2025.
  • Next Update: The next anticipated HotDocs update will be to adjust income limits for fee waivers in April, 2025.

Getting started with LHI/HotDocs

If your court is new to HotDocs and LawHelp Interactive, or you are interested in learning more about how document assembly can help you provide services to self-represented litigants, please contact us at HotDocs@jud.ca.gov. We will connect you with a community of courts using document assembly and ensure that you receive ongoing support and important updates to the programs.  

LHI/HotDocs Program Links

Courts that want to provide links to HotDocs programs on their local court websites should copy the specific program links below onto internal self-help center or public sites.  This will allow litigants to go directly to LawHelpInteractive.org.

Programs for All Counties

The following programs are available for use in any county—to enable a program for your county, please contact us at HotDocs@jud.ca.gov to provide venue and court address information and for assistance with disseminating and displaying links to the programs.

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Child Support programs
Divorce and Parentage programs
Name Change program
Probate programs
Protective Order programs
Small Claims
Unlawful Detainer programs

Programs Available by County

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Kern County Superior Court Programs
Kings County Programs

Child Support programs

Protective Order programs

Divorce and Parentage programs 

Name Change program

Probate programs

Small Claims

Unlawful Detainer programs

Los Angeles Programs
Monterey County Programs
Nevada Guardianship Programs
Orange County Programs
Riverside County Programs
San Bernardino County Programs
San Diego Guardianship Workshop Program
San Luis Obispo County Domestic Violence Programs
Santa Barbara Superior Court Programs
Santa Clara Superior Court Programs
Yolo County Superior Court Programs