California · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026

Legal help in California: get back what you're owed

Eight free guides for California, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.

Small Claims Map

Small claims court in California

If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.

Most you can sue for
$12,500 ($6,250 for businesses)
Court
small claims court
Filing fee
$30–$75
Lawyers
No lawyers

Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic

Tenant Rights Map

Renters' rights in California

If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.

Deadline to return a deposit
21 days
Security deposit limit
1 month's rent (with exceptions)
Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
3 business days
Notice before the landlord enters
Reasonable (24 hours presumed)

Cities with their own rules: Berkeley · Los Angeles · Oakland · San Francisco

Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Wage Claim Map

Unpaid wages in California

If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.

File a wage claim with
Labor Commissioner's Office
Minimum wage (2026)
$16.90
Final paycheck if fired
Immediately
Deadline to file a wage claim
3 years

Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Lemon Car Map

Lemon law in California

If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.

Lemon law period
18 mo / 18,000 mi
What makes it a lemon
4 repairs · 2 if unsafe · more than 30 calendar days
Covers used cars
See the guide
Before you sue
If maker has a program

Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Tax Appeal Map

Property tax appeals in California

If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.

Deadline to appeal
Jul 2–Sep 15 or Nov 30 (by county)
Where you appeal first
County Assessment Appeals Board (or hearing officer)
Median effective tax rate
0.70%
Median yearly tax on a home
$5,124

Open nowOpen in some counties until November 30, 2026 (for example Los Angeles). Counties with a September 15 deadline are closed until July 2027. You can still ask the assessor for an informal decline-in-value review. (as of October 21, 2026)

Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Exemption Map

Property tax exemptions in California

If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.

Homestead exemption
$7,000
Homestead deadline
February 15
Senior break
Yes
Disabled veterans
$180,671

Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Owed Map

Unclaimed money in California

Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.

Official search
California Unclaimed Property (claimit.ca.gov)
Held by the state
See the guide
Cost to search and claim
Free
On MissingMoney.com
Yes

Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Divorce Law Map

Divorce in California

Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.

Residency before you can file
6 months (with exceptions)
Waiting period
6 months after service
Filing fee
$435–$450

Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic

Deadlines at a glance in California

Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.

Deadlines at a glance in California
TopicDeadline or time limitRuleGuide
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: written contract4 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: verbal agreement2 yearsSmall Claims Map
Small claims courtDeadline to sue: property damage3 yearsSmall Claims Map
Renters' rightsDeadline to return a deposit21 daysTenant Rights Map
Renters' rightsNotice before an eviction case for unpaid rent3 business daysTenant Rights Map
Unpaid wagesDeadline to file a wage claim3 yearsWage Claim Map
Unpaid wagesFinal paycheck if firedImmediatelyWage Claim Map
Lemon lawLemon law period18 mo / 18,000 miLemon Car Map
Lemon lawDeadlineIf your manufacturer opted into the 2025 lemon law procedures, you must sue within 1 year after the applicable express warranty expires and no later than 6 years after original delivery, with pauses for arbitration, repair time, and up to 60 days after a pre-suit notice (Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 871.21).Lemon Car Map
Property tax appealsDeadline to appealJul 2–Sep 15 or Nov 30 (by county)Tax Appeal Map
Property tax exemptionsHomestead deadlineFebruary 15Exemption Map
Unclaimed moneyDeadline to claimSee the guideOwed Map
DivorceResidency before you can file6 months (with exceptions)Divorce Law Map
DivorceWaiting period6 months after serviceDivorce Law Map

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Other problems: free official help

RobinClaim doesn't cover debt collectors, scams, custody and child support, and other areas yet. These official and nonprofit services can help in every state:

Links checked Oct 2026. Sources are listed in how we research.

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