California: official help for families

Updated Nov 3, 2026. Sources last checked Oct 18, 2026. See sources.

The official California pages for the paperwork and problems families run into most, in one place. Every link goes to a government or official source in California, or to a free national service when we haven’t verified a state page.

Choose a different state

Power of attorney

The state law and any official forms for financial and health care powers of attorney. Our guide: power of attorney, explained.

Transfer on death deeds

Whether this state lets a homeowner name who gets the house without probate. Our guide: handing down the home.

Yes. Allowed. This state's law lets an owner use a revocable transfer on death deed.

Probate and small estates

Court help or law for settling an estate, including any simpler process for small estates. Our guide: what to do after a death.

Long-term care ombudsman

A free, official advocate for people in nursing homes and assisted living. Our guide: when a parent can’t live alone.

Medicaid agency

The state agency that runs Medicaid, which can pay for long-term care for people who qualify. Our guide: paying for long-term care.

Small claims court

The state’s small claims rules or court self-help. Our guide: refunds and small claims.

Utility regulator

The state commission that takes complaints about electric, gas, water or phone companies. See also find help near you.

Free national help, anywhere in the U.S.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change. Before you sign or file anything, check the official page above or talk with a lawyer or free legal aid.

Sources

Last checked Oct 18, 2026 (transfer on death deed and utility links checked Oct 20, 2026).

  1. California Attorney General: Advance health care directive: https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/general/adv_hc_dir
  2. California Probate Code 5614: Revocable transfer on death deed (Part 4, sections 5600 and following): https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PROB§ionNum=5614.
  3. California Courts Self-Help: Guide to property after someone dies (probate and small estates): https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/probate
  4. California Department of Aging: Long-Term Care Ombudsman: https://aging.ca.gov/Programs_and_Services/Long-Term_Care_Ombudsman/
  5. California Department of Health Care Services (Medi-Cal): https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/
  6. California Courts Self-Help: Small claims in California: https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/small-claims-california
  7. California Public Utilities Commission: https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/
  8. Report a scam: ReportFraud.ftc.gov (Federal Trade Commission): https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
  9. Identity theft recovery plan: IdentityTheft.gov: https://www.identitytheft.gov/
  10. Find your state attorney general: National Association of Attorneys General: https://www.naag.org/find-my-ag/
  11. Free Medicare counseling: State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): https://www.shiphelp.org/
  12. Local help with bills, food and housing: 211: https://www.211.org/
  13. Free civil legal aid: Legal Services Corporation: https://www.lsc.gov/about-lsc/what-legal-aid/get-legal-help
  14. Eldercare Locator, 1-800-677-1116: https://eldercare.acl.gov/

Rules and numbers change. If something here does not match what an agency tells you, trust the agency, and please let us know.