Inland Empire Eviction Court Steps 2026–27: Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, the 10-Day Answer and Free Help at the Courthouse
If you rent in Riverside, Moreno Valley, Corona, Fontana or elsewhere in the Inland Empire, an eviction case follows California's statewide rules. That means a written notice first, then a lawsuit, and a deadline of about 10 court days to respond once you're served. Miss that deadline and the landlord can win without you ever telling your side.
There's also local help many tenants don't know about. Inland Counties Legal Services puts an attorney and paralegal inside many local courthouses on eviction trial days, and both it and Riverside Legal Aid offer free eviction help to eligible low-income tenants. This guide covers the steps and where to go. It isn't legal advice.
Last checked October 2026. Sources: the Riverside County Superior Court's Evictions self-help page; Inland Counties Legal Services' Housing page; Riverside Legal Aid's Legal Assistance page; and the California Courts Self-Help Guide pages on notices, the summons, the Answer, trial and losing a case.
The Short Version
Step 1, the notice: a written notice comes first in most cases. For pay-or-quit and fix-or-quit notices, weekends and court holidays don't count.
Step 2, the lawsuit: you're served a Summons (SUM-130) and Complaint (UD-100). If the papers were handed to you, you have 10 days, not counting weekends and court holidays, to file an Answer.
Step 3, trial: usually about a month after someone asks the court for a trial date.
Step 4, if you lose: the sheriff posts a Notice to Vacate that gives you 5 days to leave.
Free help: Inland Counties Legal Services, (888) 245-4257. Riverside Legal Aid's Eviction Defense Program, (951) 888-2039.
Step 1: The Notice
The Riverside court says that in most situations, your landlord has to serve you with a notice before filing an eviction. According to the California Courts Self-Help Guide, common notices include:
Pay rent or quit: pay what you owe or move out.
3-day notice to perform covenants or quit: fix a lease problem, such as an unapproved pet, or leave.
3-day notice to quit: the landlord claims you seriously broke the lease.
30-day or 60-day notice: the landlord is ending the tenancy.
Counting the days: for pay-or-quit and fix-or-quit notices, skip weekends and court holidays. For move-out-only notices, count every day, but if the last day falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline moves to the next business day.
If your home is covered by the federal CARES Act, for example because it's part of certain federal housing programs, the landlord must give you a 30-day notice to vacate.
The courts note that a notice not delivered properly, or missing required information, may not support an eviction. One example they give is a 3-day notice without the required contact information.
What to do with a notice
If you can fix the problem, such as paying what you owe, do it before the deadline and keep proof.
If you disagree, keep the notice and the envelope, write down what happened, and call legal aid now. You don't have to wait for court papers.
Behind on rent? The Riverside court lists United Lift for rent and utility help in Riverside County, the Housing Authority's Homelessness Prevention Program, and 211 for other local help.
Step 2: The Summons and Complaint
If the notice period ends and you're still there, the landlord can file an unlawful detainer (eviction) case. You'll be served a Summons (SUM-130) and Complaint (UD-100).
Your deadline
The Riverside court puts it plainly: you must act quickly. You have 10 days, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and court holidays, to file an Answer or other legal response after you're handed the papers.
The state Self-Help Guide adds that day 1 is the day after service, and that the deadline is longer if you weren't handed the papers yourself. If they were left with someone at your home or work and then mailed, or posted on your door and mailed, you get 10 calendar days plus 10 court days after the mailing.
Even if you plan to move or settle, the state courts suggest filing an Answer so the case isn't decided without you.
Step 3: File Your Answer
The main form is the Answer – Unlawful Detainer (UD-105). The Riverside court gives you two ways to do it:
Online, with the state's free Form Completion Program, which walks you through the questions; or
On paper, with the court's Answer form packet.
Can't afford the filing fee? The court links a Request to Waive Court Fees packet.
A few tips from the state Self-Help Guide:
Deny anything in the complaint that's untrue or that you're not sure about. A statement you don't deny is treated as agreed.
List your defenses, such as a defective notice, retaliation or unsafe living conditions. A lawyer can tell you which apply.
Short on time? Fill out the Answer as well as you can, then get help before trial.
Missed the deadline? The landlord can ask for a default judgment. If they haven't filed for one yet, you may still be able to file your Answer, but move fast.
Free Legal Help in the Inland Empire
Inland Counties Legal Services (ICLS)
Intake and Housing Hotline: (888) 245-4257. ICLS gives phone advice to people who qualify, and runs Unlawful Detainer Clinics where an attorney reviews your case and helps prepare your court papers. Appointments are required for the in-person clinics:
Riverside office: 1040 Iowa Ave., Suite 109, Tuesdays, 8 a.m. to noon
Corona courthouse: 505 S. Buena Vista Ave., Suite 201, Fridays, 8 a.m. to noon
If you have a short deadline, ICLS says to call right away instead of waiting on an online application.
Help on your trial day (TLAP)
Through its Tenant/Landlord Assistance Program (TLAP), ICLS has an attorney and paralegal at the courthouse for people with an eviction trial that day. They can review your case and help you negotiate or represent you at trial. ICLS says to arrive early. Posted locations and times include:
Banning: 311 E. Ramsey St., Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.
Corona: 505 S. Buena Vista, Room 201, Tuesday and Thursday at 12:30 p.m.
Moreno Valley: 13800 Heacock St., Bldg. D201, Monday and Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.
Menifee Justice Center: 27401 Menifee Center Dr., Wednesday and Friday at 8 a.m.
Palm Springs: 3255 E. Tahquitz Canyon Way, Wednesday and Thursday at 8 a.m.
Fontana (San Bernardino County): 17780 Arrow Blvd., Monday to Friday at 7:30 a.m.
Barstow (San Bernardino County): 235 E. Mountain View St., Thursday at 7:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Joshua Tree (San Bernardino County): 6527 White Feather Rd.
Schedules can change, so call (888) 245-4257 to confirm.
Riverside Legal Aid
Riverside Legal Aid helps low-income Riverside County residents, regardless of immigration status, with eviction defense, tenant rights and habitability problems. Its Eviction Defense Program is fully remote: you can talk with an eviction attorney by phone from anywhere in the county at (951) 888-2039. The main Riverside office is at 4129 Main St., Suite 101, (951) 682-7968. Income limits apply, and services are offered in English and Spanish.
The Riverside court also lists the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, the Riverside County Law Library, and the Riverside County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service.
Step 4: Trial
After you file your Answer, the landlord can ask for a trial date with form UD-150. The state courts say the trial is usually about a month after that request. The Riverside court's advice is to start preparing right away.
From the state Self-Help Guide:
Bring 3 copies of each document, such as rent receipts, photos, texts and the notice.
Ask for a free interpreter as soon as you get your date.
Need a disability accommodation? Use form MC-410.
Jury trial: you can ask for one. There's a fee, and you can ask the court to waive it.
Settling? Don't leave until the judge approves the agreement, and get a signed copy.
Step 5: If You Lose
According to the California Courts:
The landlord gets a Judgment of Possession and a Writ of Execution.
The sheriff gives you a Notice to Vacate that gives you 5 days to move.
After that, the sheriff can lock you out.
Your options:
Ask for a stay if you need more than 5 days. You'll owe rent for the extra time.
Ask to set aside the judgment if you missed court for a real emergency.
Approved for rental help? That may let you stop the eviction. Tell your lawyer.
Appeal if the judge made a legal mistake. An appeal doesn't automatically stop the sheriff, so get advice first.
The state courts note an eviction can stay on your record for 7 years, which is why responding on time matters.
What we couldn't confirm: the San Bernardino County Superior Court's eviction page wasn't available, so San Bernardino filing locations aren't listed beyond the TLAP courthouses. ICLS and Riverside Legal Aid income limits, and United Lift's eligibility rules, weren't on the pages we checked.
A Quick Checklist
Got a notice? Call ICLS at (888) 245-4257 or Riverside Legal Aid at (951) 888-2039 that day.
Got court papers? Count 10 court days and file your Answer (UD-105).
Trial day? Arrive early and look for TLAP at the courthouse.
Keep everything: notices, receipts, texts and photos.
Lost? Ask about a stay right away. You'll have only 5 days.
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