Quick Resource Guide: Debt Collection Defense

How to:

California Courts

• • Know your options if you are sued for a debt:  https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/debt-lawsuits/options-when-sued
  • Collect or pay a civil judgment:  https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/civil-lawsuit/judgment
  • If you can’t pay a judgment:  https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/civil-lawsuit/judgment/pay
  • Superior Court-Alameda County Self-Help Services Defendant’s Guide to Debt Collection Cases:  https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/system/files/general/defendants-guide-debt-collection_031325.pdf

Sacramento County Law Library

• • Motion to ask to pay judgment in installments:  https://saclaw.org/resource_library/motion-to-pay-judgment-in-installments/
  • Claim of Exemption: Wage Garnishment:  https://saclaw.org/resource_library/ej-claim-of-exemption-wage-garnishment/
  • Homestead Declaration: Protecting the Equity in Your Home:  https://saclaw.org/resource_library/homestead-declaration/
  • Motion to set aside (Relief from Default Judgment):  https://saclaw.org/resource_library/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):  https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/system/files/forms-and-filings/debt-collection-answer-packet_031325.pdf

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)

• • https://saclaw.org/video-library/how-to-write-a-cease-and-desist-letter-2014/  (English)
  • https://saclaw.org/video-library/carta-de-cesar-y-desistir-2014/ (Español)

Free Legal Help

See our Debt Collection/Consumer Law Referrals Sheet https://lawlibrary.alamedacountyca.gov/project/consumer-law-and-debt-collection-referral-sheet/ for a list of free legal aid organizations that might be able to help you, including:

• • HERA (Housing and Economic Rights Advocates): https://www.heraca.org/
  • Bay Area Legal Aid: https://baylegal.org/get-help/
  • East Bay Community Law Center: https://ebclc.org/get-help/
  • Centro Legal de la Raza: https://www.centrolegal.org/

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.

Self-Help Center Information

https://www.alameda.courts.ca.gov/self-help

English flyer: bit.ly/42NAxRj | Folleto Español: bit.ly/3WLUjsz

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.  https://lawlibrary.alamedacountyca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Virtual-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
• Website: https://www.bayarealegalincubator.org/

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
  • Website:  https://www.acbanet.org/need-a-lawyer/

Updated 3.30.2026