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Introduction to Forms

Forms can help you prepare documents like judgments, leases, wills, and sales contracts.

The Judicial Council of California has created many forms (called "Judicial Council forms") to standardize the preparation of court documents.

People involved in lawsuits (also called "litigants") must use Judicial Council forms that are labeled "mandatory use" and may use forms that are labeled "optional use." To see if your form is mandatory or optional, look for these words in the bottom left-hand corner of the front page of each form. Click here to find Judicial Council forms.

Some courts also have their own local forms. Ask the court in your county if you have to use any local forms. Click here to find the court in your county.

Many legal publishers and Web sites have "unofficial forms." These forms are not approved by the courts, but they can help you prepare documents for your case. Click here to find unofficial forms.

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Last modified: 03/17/2008

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