Our California 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.
These resources are tailored to be used in the state of California. If you are looking for resources applicable to the state of Washington please click here for the FVAP’s Washington Legal Resource Library.
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
