How do I start a small claims case?
You must go to the Small Claims court to file a statement of you claim. You should be prepared to give a brief statement of the facts that form the basis for your claim. Check any documents relating to your case for relevant dates and names. If you are suing for property damage or a breach of contract, you may also claim interest as well as damages. You will be required to pay a nominal filing fee. You should contact the Small Claims court where you are filing your claim to find out the amount of the required filing fee. The fee includes the cost of filing the claim as well as the cost of mailing the notice of claim to the defendant. The notice of claim provides a brief statement of your claim, including the amount you are seeking to recover, and advises the defendant when the case will be tried. Once the claim is filed in the clerk’s office, the clerk will send the notice of claim to the defendant via first class and certified mail with return receipt requested. If the copy of the cla
You, or someone on your behalf, must come to the Small Claims Court to file a statement of your claim. You should be prepared to give a brief statement of the facts that form the basis of your claim. Check any documents relating to your case for the relevant dates and names If you are suing on a contract or for property damage, you may claim interest as well as damages. You must sue in a court having a Small Claims Part in an area where the defendant lives or works or has a place of business. You will be required to pay a filing fee of $10.00 if your claim is for $1,000 or less and a filing fee of $15.00 if your claim is for more than $1,000. When the claim is filed, the clerk will tell you when the case will be tried. The clerk will then send the notice of claim to the defendant by both certified mail an ordinary first mail. The notice of claim and the amount of money you are seeking. If the copy of the claim sent by ordinary mail is not returned as undeliverable within 21 days, the d
Use the court form “Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit,” JD-CV-40. • Send in sufficient copies of the writ including the defendant’s instructions. • If you are attaching documentation, please enclose sufficient copies – one for the court and one for each party named. • The person bringing the action is the plaintiff; the person being sued is the defendant. After judgment enters, the one who recovers the judgment is the “judgment creditor” and the one who is ordered to pay the judgment is the “judgment debtor.” • If there are more than two plaintiffs or you are suing more than two defendants, you must complete and attach sufficient copies of the JD-CV-67, “Continuation of Parties” form to the Small Claims Writ and Notice of Suit form. • The forms are available in any court location that handles small claims cases. Find your town and the court location that handles small claims, court address and telephone number. (PDF) • Type or legibly print (with black ink) your information on the f
Fill out a small claims complaint and summons form from the county in which you are filing your small claims case. The complaint describes your claim against the defendant. You need to include detailed information about your complaint: what is the disagreement about, when and where did it take place, how much money do you want the other person to pay and why. The summons is a separate paper that tells the defendant(s) a lawsuit has been filed against them. It also tells the defendant how and where they need to respond to your lawsuit.You must file the complaint and summons with the court clerk at the county court in which you are filing your small claims case. The clerk will assign a number to your case. Make sure to write it down. Remember to notify the clerk and the opposing party of any changes in your address or phone number.For forms, fee schedules and filing information to start your small claims case, see the “Forms/Letters” section.
You, or someone on your behalf, must come to the Small Claims Court to file a statement of your claim (Click here for application – download in ADOBE ACROBAT or WordPerfect 6 or greater or use the E-Z application process). You should be prepared to give a brief written statement of the facts that form the basis of your claim. Check any documents relating to your case for the relevant dates and names. If you are suing on a contract or for property damage, you may claim interest as well as money damages. You must sue in a court having Small Claims Court in an area where the defendant lives or works or has a place of business. You will be required to pay filing fee of $15.00 if your claim is for $1,000 or less and a filing fee of $20.00 if your claim is more than $1,000. When the claim is filed, the clerk will tell you when the case will be tried. The clerk will then send the notice of claim to the defendant by both certified mail and ordinary first class mail. The notice of claim tells t
