Friday, February 14, 2020:  1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Friday, August 14, 2020:  1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

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. 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
   Writing (or responding to) the claim
   Serving papers
   Going to court
   Resources for further information and where to seek help

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

* A more extensive “Where You Begin” class, which may include hands-on practice and sample exercises, is taught at the Main Branch of LA Law Library in downtown Los Angeles. For more information, visit: https://www.lalawlibrary.org/index.php/where-you-begin.html.

Location:
Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-8600

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.

For the time being, due to public health concerns, our partnership location has cancelled all classes.
Friday, March 13, 2020:  1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. - CANCELLED

Friday, September 11, 2020:  1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

If you need to prepare a legal document, starting from an appropriate form or template can save a lot of time and hassle. This class will cover form resources available in and out of LA Law Library — from the Library’s practice guides and form books to the many online sources, both in the Library and available elsewhere.

Class covers:

•  Finding forms on court and agency websites
   Accessing California Judicial Council court forms
   Finding form books in the Library
   Locating form books in Library databases
   Accessing the Library’s pleading paper templates

* A more extensive class, which may include hands-on practice and sample exercises, is taught at the Main Branch of LA Law Library in downtown Los Angeles. For more information, visit: https://www.lalawlibrary.org/CLASSES.

Location:
Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-8600

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.

Friday, April 10, 2020:  1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Friday, October 9, 2020:  1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Finding legal help you can afford can be difficult. In this class, learn about low-cost and free options for getting help from a lawyer. You will also get information on how to talk to a lawyer, what a lawyer looks for in a client, how to tell your story, and the importance of gathering the facts and documents in your case.

Class covers:

•  Low-cost and free options for getting help from a lawyer
   How to talk to a lawyer: identifying your legal problem, telling your story effectively, and what a lawyer looks for in a client
   The importance of gathering your facts and documents
   How legal billing works

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

* A more extensive “Where You Begin” class, which may include hands-on practice and sample exercises, is taught at the Main Branch of LA Law Library in downtown Los Angeles. For more information, visit: https://www.lalawlibrary.org/index.php/where-you-begin.html.

Location:
Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-8600

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.

Friday, May 8, 2020:  1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. - CANCELLED
Friday, November 13, 2020:  1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Learn basic information on how divorce and separation work under California family law, including the court process, dividing assets and debts, mediation and settlement options, and where to go for further information and assistance.

Class covers:

•  The court process: steps in a divorce case, and what to expect
   Legal consequences of separation before (or without) divorce
   Dividing money, property, and debts
   Litigation, mediation and collaboration
   Resources for further information and where to seek help

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

* A more extensive "Where You Begin" class, which may include hands-on practice and sample exercises, is taught at the Main Branch of LA Law Library in downtown Los Angeles. For more information, visit: https://www.lalawlibrary.org/index.php/where-you-begin.html

Location:
Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica Blvd.
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-8600

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.