Quick Resource Guide: Debt Collection Defense

How to:

California Courts

• • Know your options if you are sued for a debt
  • Collect or pay a civil judgment
  • If you can’t pay a judgment
  • Superior Court-Alameda County Self-Help Services Defendant’s Guide to Debt Collection Cases (PDF, external)

Sacramento County Law Library

• • Motion to ask to pay judgment in installments
  • Claim of Exemption: Wage Garnishment
  • Homestead Declaration: Protecting the Equity in Your Home
  • Motion to set aside (Relief from Default Judgment)

Forms

• • Superior Court Alameda County Self-Help Services, Filing an Answer in a Breach of Contract Case (Debt Collection) (PDF, external)

Library Books

• • Collection actions, defending consumers and their assets : credit card, medical, criminal justice, other debt. KF1024 .S54 2024, shelf 107A.  Also available as an eBook via NCLC.
  • Fair debt collection. KF1024 .H63 2022, shelf 107A.  Also available as an eBook via NCLC
  • Debt Collection in California KFC256 .D43, shelf 110B

Videos

Send a Cease-and-Desist Letter (Sacramento County Law Library)

• • Video with instructions to send a letter in English
  • Video with instructions to send a letter in Spanish

Free Legal Help

See our Debt Collection/Consumer Law Referrals Sheet for a list of free legal aid organizations that might be able to help you, including:

• • HERA (Housing and Economic Rights Advocates)
  • Bay Area Legal Aid
  • East Bay Community Law Center:
  • Centro Legal de la Raza:

Alameda County Court Self-Help Center

The Self-Help Center does not take walk-in patrons, but you may make an appointment to talk to someone in person.  Contact the SHC via phone or chat to make an appointment.  You can contact the Self-Help Center for help in the following ways:

LiveChat

Monday-Thursday, 9AM-12PM  They may stop taking chats before the stated hours once they reach capacity.

Phones

Call: (510) 272-1393, Mon-Thurs, 2PM-4PM  Voicemails can only be left during phone hours; Messages are returned within 5 business days.

English flyer describing Self-Help Center Services: (PDF, external) | Folleto Español (PDF, external)

Community Legal Assistance Saturday Program (CLASP)

CLASP offers a monthly, free clinic open to the public.  This phone clinic occurs on the first Saturday of the month.  Volunteer attorneys meet with individuals for 15–20-minute phone consultations. CLASP Flyer.  (PDF)

Hire an Attorney

BALI: Bay Area Legal Incubator

Affordable legal services.  Some attorneys offer sliding scale fees.  In-take form available on website, and you can also read the profiles and get contact information for the BALI attorneys.

• • Address: 125 12^th St. Oakland, CA Mezzanine Level
  • BALI Website

Alameda County Bar Association Attorney Referral Service

• • Receive a match with a carefully pre-screened local lawyer qualified to help you with your legal needs.  There is a $40 administrative fee, but the initial consultation with the attorney is free.  If you want to hire the attorney, you will need to discuss that separately.
    Phone:  510-302-2222 Option 4

Updated 4.9.2026