Our self-help legal tools and training videos are free, but they are password protected. Pending review, we will send you a password within 24 business hours. Resources and videos are free for survivors of domestic violence/intimate partner abuse and the people who support them; California nonprofit employees; California legal aid employees; private attorneys currently representing a survivor of domestic violence pro bono in California; members of the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence; members of Legal Aid Association of California; California Coalition Against Sexual Assault; and the Strong Hearted Native Women’s Coalition. The charge to watch trainings for private attorneys not representing a survivor of domestic violence pro bono is $35.
California Domestic Violence Laws:
Current versions of all California statutes & the California Constitution
Domestic Violence Prevention Act
California Family Code
Family Code Section 3044
Code of Civil Procedure
California Rules of Court
Self-Help Legal Tools include:
- 2019 Compendium of CA Domestic Violence-Related Laws
- Case-Annotated Compendium of All California Domestic Violence Laws 2019
- Case Alerts
- LGBTQI+ DV Primer
- Toolkit: Confidentiality and Mandated Reporting
- Toolkit: Custody, Visitation, and Family Code Section 3044
- Toolkit: Custody and Visitation Toolkit for LGBTIQI+
- How to Address Litigation Abuse
- How do I Get a Court to Reach the Additional Requests in My Restraining Order Case?
- What Can I Do to Change the Order After the Hearing Is Over? An Introduction to Post-Trial Motions
- Sample Letter Requesting the Court of Appeal Use Anonymous Names in Your case
- Model Legal Brief in Support of Sole Custody
- Model Legal Brief on Allowing New Evidence at Restraining Order Hearing
- Model Legal Brief Asking the Trial Court to Hear Your Case When the Other Side is Asking for Continuances
- How to Find Respondents for Service of Process
- Getting a Court’s Reasons for Making a Family Court Order
- Statement of Decision Request Template
- Court Preparation Checklist
- FVAP’s 2016 Survey of CA DV Service Providers
- Case-Annotated Compendium of California Domestic Violence Laws 2018
- Calculating Your Deadline to Appeal a California Family Law Order
- New Law Alert: AB 2044 – How It Affects Child Custody Proceedings
- Know Your Rights: Survivors of Domestic Violence and Letters of Priority Entitlement (LOPE)
Training Videos include:
Restraining Orders/Protective Orders
- Can I Renew My Domestic Violence Restraining Order? Frequently Asked Questions About Renewals for Survivors and Advocates
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders in California Courts
- Protective Orders and the Advocates’ Role*
- What Evidence Supports a DVRO Renewal?
- Making the Domestic Violence Restraining Order Request (via Pro Bono Training Institute website)
- Safety Planning for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order Request (via Pro Bono Training Institute website)
- Writing a Declaration for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order Request (via Pro Bono Training Institute website
- Mutual Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (via Pro Bono Training Institute website) – Domestic Violence Restraining Orders for Youth Applicants (via Pro Bono Training Institute website)
- Basics of Presenting the Case and Prepping for Court for Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (via Pro Bono Training Institute website)
Domestic Violence Cases, Laws, and Science
- Orientation to Domestic Violence*
- 2018 Developments in DV Case Law and Statutes and the Psychology Behind Them
- CA Statutes Protecting DV Survivors*
- Annual Overview of CA Domestic Violence Case Law (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)*
Appeals and Post-Trial Remedies
- Family Law Appeals Involving Domestic Violence Issues*
- Requesting Statements of Decision*
- Post-Trial Remedies & Relief*
- How to Lay a Record for Appeal – for Attorneys*
- How to Assist Clients in Laying a Record for Appeal and Avoid the Unauthorized Practice of Law
Housing and Employment
- Housing and Employment: Legal Rights of Survivors of Domestic Violence*
Confidentiality, Privilege, and Mandated Reporting
- Confidentiality and Privilege: A Training for California Domestic Violence Advocates*
- Confidentiality, Privilege, and Mandated Reporting*
- Responding to Subpoenas*
- Confidentiality and Mandated Reporting: Immigration*
Dependency
- Domestic Violence in Dependency Court-What Judges and Attorneys Should Know*
Immigration
- Confidentiality and Mandated Reporting: Immigration*
- California Values Act Guidance for Domestic Violence Programs and Advocates
Parentage
- Parentage & the Domestic Violence Prevention Act*
*MCLE credit available for California attorneys. Closed captioning and slide decks available for every training video.
