Can I settle a lawsuit without a lawyer in California?

Yes, and in practice, plaintiffs frequently prefer settling directly rather than continuing to litigate a case through trial. Two specific conditions matter regardless of how informal or friendly the settlement discussion feels. First, get any agreed settlement documented in writing and signed by both sides, including an explicit statement that the case will be dismissed with prejudice, meaning permanently and unable to be refiled later.

Second, be genuinely careful about signing what's called a stipulated judgment without fully understanding what you're agreeing to, since a stipulated judgment functions as an actual judgment against you that takes immediate effect the moment you miss even a single scheduled payment, unlike a standard settlement agreement.