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:
Informational Videos:
Self-Help Legal Tools
Restraining Orders/Protective Orders
- How to Get a Court to Make Orders About Everything I Asked for in my Restraining Order Case? (Also available in Spanish and Chinese)
- Template Memorandum of Points and Authorities in Support of Holding a Hearing and Denial of Continuances with Instructions
- Template Memorandum of Points Authorities Explaining Your Right to Present New Evidence at Trial with Instruction Sheet
- How to Request Someone Move Out as Part of Your Restraining Order
- Can I Renew My Domestic Violence Restraining Order? Frequently Asked Questions About Renewals for Survivors and Advocates (Also available in Spanish and Chinese)
Domestic Violence Cases, Laws, and Science
- 2021 Compendium of CA Domestic Violence-Related Laws
- Case-Annotated Compendium of All California Domestic Violence Laws 2021
Appeals and Post-Trial Remedies
- Post-Trial Motion Cheat Sheet
- Post Trial Motions Tip Sheet
- Calculating Your Deadline to Appeal a California Family Law Order
- Cómo calcular su plazo para apelar una orden de la ley de familia de California (Spanish version)
- 查閱者資訊: 計算上訴加州家事法命令的截止期限 (Chinese version)
- Notice of Appeal Tip Sheet
- Sample Letter Requesting the Court of Appeal Use Anonymous Names in Your case
Housing and Employment
- Toolkit: Finding Housing (Available in multiple languages)
- Toolkit: Leaving Safely (Also available in Spanish)
- California Tenants – A Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities
- Know Your Rights: Survivors of Domestic Violence and Letters of Priority Entitlement (LOPE)
- Know Your Rights: Move-out orders and Orders to Pay Rent (Also available in Chinese)
Confidentiality, Privilege, and Mandated Reporting
- Toolkit: Confidentiality and Mandated Reporting
Custody and Visitation
- Toolkit: Custody, Visitation, and Family Code Section 3044 (Also available in Spanish and Chinese)
- Toolkit: Custody and Visitation Toolkit for LGBTQI+
- Model Legal Brief in Support of Sole Custody
- New Law Alert: AB 2044 – How It Affects Child Custody Proceedings (Available in Chinese as well)
Immigration
- Toolkit: Immigration Toolkit (Can Evidence Of Immigration Status Be Used in Family Court also Available in Chinese)
LGBTQI+
- LGBTQI+ DV Primer
- Toolkit: Custody and Visitation for LGBTQI+
Case Alerts (list available after login)
Other Court Issues (Litigation Abuse, Service)
- How to Address Litigation Abuse
- Litigation Abuse Tip Sheet for Judges
- How to Find Respondents for Service of Process
- Request for Court Reporter by Party with Fee Waiver (Official Form)
Other Family/Civil Court Issues
- Court Preparation Checklist (Available in Chinese as well)
- How do I get a Court’s Reason for Making a Family Order (Also Available in Chinese)
- Statement of Decision Request Template
- FVAP’s 2016 Survey of CA DV Service Providers
Training Videos
Restraining Orders/Protective Orders
- 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, 2019, 2020)*
- Utilizing SB 1141, California’s “Coercive Control” Bill – A Training for Practitioners
- Domestic Abuse is more than Physical Abuse – Examining the Role of Coercive Control
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*
- Vivienda Y Empleo: Derechos legales de sobrevivientes de la violencia doméstica
- Nuisance and Crime-Free Ordinances and Their Impact on Housing Access for Survivors*
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
