ProcessGuidesState checksResources
SELF-REPRESENTED CASE FILESMALL CLAIMS
01Check the right court
02Prepare the claim
03Serve the defendant
STEP BY STEP
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Case path8 procedural stages
Official-source workflow
Before filingServe papersCourt date
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Small claims court,
organized like a case file.

Follow the administrative process from the first court check through service, evidence, the hearing, judgment, and collection. State-specific details are labeled and tied back to official court sources.

Open the full processBrowse 64 guides
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HEARING PREP
case file / evidence
01timeline
02exhibits
03witnesses
THE CASE-FILE ROUTE

Eight steps, each kept in its own folder.

Use the stage you are in now instead of reading one giant generic article.

01

Before Filing

Check the fit

02

Filing the Case

Prepare the filing

03

Serving the Defendant

Give proper notice

04

Evidence & Preparation

Build the record

05

At the Hearing

Present the case

06

Collecting a Judgment

Enforce payment

07

Defaults & Appeals

Handle post-trial issues

08

If You Are the Defendant

Respond to a claim

POPULAR FILES

Start with the question on your desk.

Small claims court fit checklist with a gavel, scales of justice, and claim form in the site cream and burgundy palette
01

Is Small Claims Court the Right Place for Your Dispute?

Small claims is usually designed for relatively modest money disputes, but the label alone does not tell you whether your case belongs there.

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United States map illustrating that small claims court dollar limits vary by state and should be checked with the local court
01

How Small Claims Dollar Limits Work Across States

There is no single U.S. small-claims dollar limit; the ceiling and any special restrictions come from the state and court rules that apply to the filer and claim.

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Courthouse and location marker illustrating jurisdiction and venue when choosing where to file a small claims case
01

How to Find the Right Small Claims Court to File In

Choosing the court has two parts: confirm that small claims is the right court type, then confirm the geographic place where the case may be filed.

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Demand letter worksheet showing the amount owed, a response deadline, a brief dispute explanation, and proof of sending before a small claims filing
01

Should You Demand Payment Before Filing a Small Claim?

Asking the other side for payment before filing is often useful and may be required in some small-claims systems or claim types.

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Calendar, clock, courthouse, and case file illustrating that small claims filing deadlines vary by state and claim type
01

How to Check the Filing Deadline for a Small Claim

The filing deadline usually comes from the law governing the underlying claim, not from a universal small-claims deadline.

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Magnifying glass over a blank business name record card next to a blank individual name card, with a notepad and pen
01

Who Exactly Should You Sue: Person, Business, or Both?

The name on the claim should identify the legal person or entity that is responsible, not merely a storefront, nickname, social-media handle, or brand.

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Small claims rules are state and court specific. State-specific forms, limits, deadlines, and service requirements are labeled instead of being presented as nationwide rules.