Small Claims

Are you involved in a Small Claims lawsuit and need free expert advice? Look here for articles, answers and other helpful resources regarding small claims procedures, considerations, judgments and more.

Small claims courts are one of the many different kinds of courts set up in each state to handle specific types of cases. As the name suggests, small claims are legal claims in which a lesser amount of money is at stake. Each state sets a limit on the amount of money that can be sought as a remedy in small claims court, usually around $5,000. Any claim by one individual against another for less than that amount will be heard in small claims court. For instance, a person who claims to have suffered $3,000 in damage to their property would most likely sue the person responsible for that damage in small claims court rather than the standard civil court, which hears larger tort claims. There are numerous benefits bringing a case to a small claims court: cases are typically dealt with in a more efficient fashion – a small fee is paid, the case is quickly resolved, and a lawyer is likely unnecessary – affording the plaintiff swifter justice without the complexity and expense of traditional litigation. In addition, the court system is able to avoid further overload by disposing of these minor disputes quickly. See the articles and answers to frequently asked questions using the links on this page to learn more about small claims law.