What happens after the claim is filed?
Once the forms are completed, this office will process the complaint and assign your case a number (You should use this number whenever you contact the court concerning your case). It normally takes 1 to 2 weeks to process the small claims case. After it is processed in our office, it is then sent to the Sheriff’s Department for service on the defendant(s) or issued by Certified Mail whichever process you stated. Once served with a Statement of Claim, the defendant has 14 days to complete the Answer form and to file it with the Clerk’s Office. We will notify you of the service date by mail with a computer print-out. Please do not call for service date (We do not check service by phone). If the defendant files an answer, the case will be set for trial in 6 – 8 weeks from the receipt of the answer. You should have sufficient time or notification of the trial in order to subpoena any witnesses and otherwise prepare your case for trial. If you have a conflict with the trial date, you will
