Beginning Monday, Feb 22, 2021, most California counties will no longer accept earlier versions of the Preliminary Change of Ownership form. The updated form should be available from each county’s website.

For more information, click here.

The Santa Cruz County Law Library has a new website!

Below are some access points on the site:

Links to current statutes and case law
Forms for recording documents
Links to local court forms
Links to Judicial Council forms
Forms for Affidavits, Powers of Attorney, Advanced Health Directives, Wills
Free database EBSCO
Links to Legal Referral Service of Santa Cruz
Links to other law libraries and legal help websites
Links to local government ordinances
Links to local government offices
Links to local law enforcement
Contact information for Assembly members Mark Stone and Robert Rivas, and Senator John Laird
And much more!

Visit their new website here.

County law libraries are useful to both attorneys and the public as they offer links to local court forms and many other resources.

Visit the Monterey County Law Library here.

To view a list of every public law library in California, click here.

Senate Bill No. 91 was signed by the Governor on Friday, January 29, 2021.

This bill extends eviction limitations to July 1, 2021. Courts cannot issue unlawful detainer judgement before July 1, 2021, except for just cause and approved no-fault evictions.

For more information, click here.

The Status of Civil Trials – Santa Cruz Superior Court – January 27, 2021

–Judicial mediations are still open with Judge Volkmann. They are currently being set in June 2021.

–Some minor updates were made to local form number: SUPCV-1012 (ADR Packet). This can be used to request continuance of case management conferences or for scheduling a mediation in front of Judge Volkmann.

–Civil jury trials are being set in September, October, and November, 2021.

–For trials that are currently set this year before the fall, the court will likely be sending out notices continuing them due to COVID.

–Court trials have been occurring and can be set at counsel’s convenience.

–Remote appearance for attorneys at hearings/trials is mandatory. Self-represented litigants are encouraged to appear through Zoom but are not mandated and may appear in person.

–In general (except for some impeachment circumstances), evidence that will be present must be filed prior to the hearing with the Court.

Probate

–Due to the new law that impacts probate with respect to property transfers, the Court has received a lot of petitions for modifications. The Court will work with counsel to have these done as expeditiously as possible.

General Reminders

–For Zoom hearings please log in 10 minutes prior to the starting time in order to allow sufficient time to check in.

–Attorneys should make sure their first and last names are listed on their Zoom accounts for quick check in.

–Confirm your hearing location using the portal.

–Wear a headset.

The Governor’s California budget proposal includes $2.1 billion over the next five years to fund construction of critically needed new courthouses.
Monterey’s planned new Fort Ord Courthouse landed in the top 5 of the top tier labeled “Immediate Need”. Our new Santa Cruz Courthouse is in the next tier down in the 14th position labeled “Critical Need”.

To view the full list click here.

How the Judicial Branch kept courthouses open during a year of unprecedented challenges.

For the full notice click here.

To create an account:

Hover over “Client Login” on the Navigation bar, then click “Orders Login” (outlined below):

Click on “Sign up for New Account” (outlined below in red) OR if you are an existing customer, click on “Request online access on existing account” (outlined below in blue):

Enter your email, and click on “Submit” (outlined below):

Once logged in, you will be taken to your account’s landing page. From here you can search orders, check on the status of your orders, submit eFilings, request Service of Process, and many other options.

Make a Payment Online

To make an online payment you can click “Admin” on the Navigation bar, then click on “Pay Invoice” (outlined below):

Or

Scroll down and click on the icon for “Pay Invoices” (as shown below):

This will take you to a new page where can view data such as Job History, Current Ageing, and Current Active Jobs. As you scroll down to the bottom of the page you will see any outstanding invoices for your account. From here you want to enter in your payment method. Simply click on “Manage Payment Accounts” (outlined below):

From here you can add a Credit Card or Checking Account (outlined below in blue), and view payment methods you may already have on file. You can also delete a payment method(Note: You cannot delete a payment method until you have added another one and set it as the default). If you have multiple payment methods on file, select which payment method you would like to use. The selected payment method is signified by a checkmark (outlined below in red):

Once you have added a payment method, click “Done” and this will take you back to the page that lists any outstanding invoices for your account. Select which invoices you would like to pay(outlined below in red), and then click on “Pay Selected” (outlined below in blue):

From Santa Cruz Superior Court: Given the current surge of COVID we would like to remind everyone that pursuant to Emergency Local Rule 1.1.01, for all non-criminal hearings, remote appearances are mandatory for attorneys unless a Judge directs you otherwise. We also strongly encourage all parties, self-represented litigants, witnesses and other participants to appear remotely. For additional information please see the remote appearance page on our website: Click here.

For more info: Advisory on COVID-19 and Court Operations

For more info: 2021 Judicial Assignments