Small Claims: Where You Begin

Class recorded January 10, 2026

For updated information on e-filing and filing court documents in-person during COVID-19, please click here. If your case is being heard in California state superior court, please be sure to visit your court’s website for the most recent updates. L.A. Superior Court’s website is here.

For updated information on the L.A. Superior Court’s mandatory Online Dispute Resolution program for small claims, click here and here.

Even though the proceedings are simplified, going to small claims court can be intimidating. You have to know certain basic information to win your claim or defend against someone else's. This class provides information you need to go to small claims court with confidence. You will also learn about free resources available to help. Learning important legal fundamentals about small claims court can make your legal journey easier and more successful.

Class covers:

  • Which claims can be filed in small claims court
  • Gathering evidence and deciding who to sue
  • Writing (or responding to) the claim
  • Serving papers
  • Going to court
  • Getting paid if you win
  • Resources for further information and where to seek help

Developed by practicing attorneys and presented by LA Law Library Reference Librarians

Course Materials: If you would like to receive a copy of the course materials for any of the classes, including any PowerPoint used, please register at the Register Now! button for the class, provided below. A staff member will email you the course materials (usually within one business day)."

Video Recordings: We recognize that not everyone can attend in person classes, so even if you can't make it in, please watch any of these recordings and remember that we are still here to help! Call us at (213) 785-2513, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or chat with us online to get help finding information and resources on any legal (or not-quite-legal) question. Access to the video recordings is free.

Dated Material: Please note that the law changes. The original recording date for each class is provided on the display page. To be certain that you receive up-to-date information, please attend the in-person class, or contact us for help researching or updating your specific legal issue.

No legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

 

Civil Rights: Where You Begin

Class recorded August 28, 2025

Many people can't afford a lawyer to handle their legal issues. This can make it difficult to protect your civil rights, including your right to be free from discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations and education. In this class, learn about your civil rights under state and federal law, how these rights are protected, and resources available to help. Learning important fundamentals about civil rights can make your legal journey easier and more successful.

Class covers:

  • The right to be free from unlawful discrimination, and other types of civil rights
  • The characteristics generally protected by civil rights laws, including race, ethnicity, gender, religious belief, and age
  • How to determine which civil rights statute or claim might apply to your situation
  • How and where to make a civil rights complaint, and types of civil rights lawsuits
  • Resources for further information and where to seek help

Presented by: Maria Hall, Attorney at Law (Los Angeles Attorney Incubator Consortium (laincubatorconsortium.com))

Course Materials: If you would like to receive a copy of the course materials for any of the classes, including any PowerPoint used, please register at the Register Now! button for the class, provided below. A staff member will email you the course materials (usually within one business day)."

Video Recordings: We recognize that not everyone can attend in person classes, so even if you can't make it in, please watch any of these recordings and remember that we are still here to help! Call us at (213) 785-2513, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or chat with us online to get help finding information and resources on any legal (or not-quite-legal) question. Access to the video recordings is free.

Dated Material: Please note that the law changes. The original recording date for each class is provided on the display page. To be certain that you receive up-to-date information, please attend the in-person class, or contact us for help researching or updating your specific legal issue.

No legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

 

Custody & Child Support: Where You Begin

Class recorded October 11, 2024

For updated information on e-filing and filing court documents in-person during COVID-19, please click here. If your case is being heard in California state superior court, please be sure to visit your court’s website for the most recent updates. L.A. Superior Court’s website is here.

Many people can't afford a lawyer to handle their legal issues, which can make child custody and support problems daunting. In this class, learn how courts determine who gets child custody, who pays child support and how child support is calculated, plus where to go when you need help or further information. Learning important fundamentals about custody and support can make your legal journey easier and more successful.

Class covers:

  • How judges make custody decisions
  • Forming a custody agreement and getting it approved by the court
  • How child support is calculated, and who pays
  • Basics of enforcing child support, and where to get help
  • How to ask the court to modify a custody or support order
  • Resources for further information and where to seek help

Course Materials: If you would like to receive a copy of the course materials for any of the classes, including any PowerPoint used, please register at the Register Now! button for the class, provided below. A staff member will email you the course materials (usually within one business day)

Video Recordings: We recognize that not everyone can attend in person classes, so even if you can't make it in, please watch any of these recordings and remember that we are still here to help! Call us at (213) 785-2513, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or chat with us online to get help finding information and resources on any legal (or not-quite-legal) question. Access to the video recordings is free.

Dated Material: Please note that the law changes. The original recording date for each class is provided on the display page. To be certain that you receive up-to-date information, please attend the in-person class, or contact us for help researching or updating your specific legal issue.

No legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

 

Dealing with Debt: Where You Begin

Class recorded December 6, 2024

For updated information on landlord-tenant law, watch our on-demand class Eviction Protections During COVID-19 (recorded February 17, 2021). For updated information on credit protections under the CARES Act, read here; and about exemptions for financial assistance under the CARES Act here. Contact our Reference desk at (213) 785-2513, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or via chat at https://bit.ly/341pHYU for further assistance.

Many people can't afford a lawyer to handle their legal issues, especially when it comes to problems with debt. In this class, learn best practices for getting out of debt, how to handle the different types of debt, and your rights when facing repossessions, foreclosures and lawsuits. Learning important legal fundamentals – and the resources available to help – can make your journey out of debt easier and more successful.

Class covers:

  • Best practices for getting out of debt, including which debts to pay first
  • Repairing your credit
  • Responding to lawsuits and property seizures
  • The different types of debt and your rights and responsibilities for each
  • Bankruptcy options
  • Resources for further information and where to seek help

Developed by practicing attorneys and presented by LA Law Library Reference Librarians

Course Materials: If you would like to receive a copy of the course materials for any of the classes, including any PowerPoint used, please register at the Register Now! button for the class, provided below. A staff member will email you the course materials (usually within one business day)."

Video Recordings: We recognize that not everyone can attend in person classes, so even if you can't make it in, please watch any of these recordings and remember that we are still here to help! Call us at (213) 785-2513, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or chat with us online to get help finding information and resources on any legal (or not-quite-legal) question. Access to the video recordings is free.

Dated Material: Please note that the law changes. The original recording date for each class is provided on the display page. To be certain that you receive up-to-date information, please attend the in-person class, or contact us for help researching or updating your specific legal issue.

No legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

 

Landlord-Tenant: Where You Begin

Class recorded November 20, 2025

For updated information on California’s COVID-19 eviction protections, see Housing Is Key. Although the statewide eviction moratorium expired September 30, 2021, tenants awaiting the results of a rental assistance application filed before March 31, 2022, may still qualify for eviction protections through June 30, 2022 (https://bit.ly/3JbLvCT). In addition, tenants in the City of Los Angeles may still be protected by the City’s eviction moratorium until the City declares the Covid-19 “state of emergency” over, and tenants in other parts of the County of L.A. may be protected by the County’s Updated COVID-19 Tenant Protections Resolution starting July 1, 2022. Contact our Reference desk at (213) 785-2513, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or via chat at https://bit.ly/341pHYU for further assistance.

Many people can't afford a lawyer to handle their legal issues. Whether you are a tenant or a landlord, if you are facing property rental issues in California without a lawyer, this class will help you get started by teaching you essential information about your rights and responsibilities and what resources are available to help. Learning important fundamentals about landlord-tenant law can make your legal journey easier and more successful.

Class covers:

  • Non-discrimination in the rental of property
  • Responsibility to make repairs
  • Security deposit issues
  • Negotiations and settlement
  • The eviction process and going to court
  • Resources for further information and where to seek help

Developed by practicing attorneys and presented by LA Law Library Reference Librarians

Course Materials: If you would like to receive a copy of the course materials for any of the classes, including any PowerPoint used, please register at the Register Now! button for the class, provided below.

Video Recordings: We recognize that not everyone can attend in person classes, so even if you can't make it in, please watch any of these recordings and remember that we are still here to help! Call us at (213) 785-2513, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or chat with us online to get help finding information and resources on any legal (or not-quite-legal) question. Access to the video recordings is free.

Dated Material: Please note that the law changes. The original recording date for each class is provided on the display page. To be certain that you receive up-to-date information, please attend the in-person class, or contact us for help researching or updating your specific legal issue.

No legal advice:
LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

 

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