California civil litigation toolbox.
Six free tools organized by where you are in the case lifecycle. Pre-filing analysis, the 30-day response window, litigation in progress, post-judgment collection — every phase has the right tool.
Phase 1 · Before you file
Decide whether litigation is the right move.
Most California civil disputes settle without a lawsuit. The first question is whether filing makes sense for the specific matter — and whether the clock is still running.
Decision tool
Should I file a lawsuit?
Six questions on claim value, evidence, defendant solvency, and timeline. Output is an expected-value range plus a recommendation with rationale.
Open the toolReference
Statute of limitations finder
Search 22 California civil claim types for the filing deadline. Each result shows the CCP citation and when the clock starts.
Open the toolPhase 2 · You just got served
The 30-day response window.
When a complaint or discovery hits, the clock is the most important fact in the case. These two tools work together — the playbook for what to do day-by-day, the deadline calculator for the exact response date.
Playbook
Just got served — 30-day playbook
Day-by-day playbook for a California civil defendant. What to do, what to avoid, what to gather, when to call counsel.
Open the toolCalculator
Civil deadline calculator
Forward mode (response from service) and motion-calendar mode (backward from hearing). Court holidays, weekend roll-forward, and CCP citations on every step.
Open the toolPhase 3 · Litigation in progress
Track the matter and the budget.
Once the case is filed, two questions dominate: what's due when, and what's this going to cost? The deadline calculator handles the first; the budget estimator tackles the second with phase-by-phase ranges.
Estimator
Civil litigation budget estimator
Phase-by-phase fee estimate from intake through trial. Most firms won't put a number on this. We will.
Open the toolCalculator
Motion calendar (deadline calculator)
Working backward from a hearing date, get the moving-papers, opposition, and reply deadlines under CCP §§ 1005 and 437c.
Open the toolPhase 4 · After judgment
Collecting and preserving the win.
A judgment is a starting point, not an ending. California judgments expire after 10 years if not renewed (CCP § 683.020) and statutory interest accrues at 10% the entire time.
Different question? Different toolbox.
Business formation tools
LLC vs. corporation, annual cost calculator, formation checklist.
Open the toolboxEmployment tools
ABC test classification, final paycheck penalty, PAGA exposure.
Open the toolboxAll free tools
The full library — 10 California-specific calculators, finders, and playbooks.
Open the toolboxThe case evaluation is the next step.
Cal. RPC 1.7 conflicts first, then we read the file with you. No commitment, no pitch.