Whats the purpose of small claims court?
Small claims court provides an informal way to resolve minor lawsuits and other legal problems, but it requires assessing the legal and factual merits of the case, including the possibility that the defendant might file a counterclaim against you. Small claims court is jurisdictional; if the claim meets any of the following situations, you must use small claims court: • someone injures you, damages your property, or violates a contract to which youre a party, and the amount you seek is $5,000 or less; • you want to repossess property valued at $5,000 or less. This is called a replevin action; • you already have a legal judgment for $5,000 or less against someone and you want to enforce the judgment by seizing funds or property that the other person possesses (such as wages). This is called a garnishment (for money) or an attachment (for property); • youre a landlord seeking to evict a tenant. Any amount of rent may be owed. The $5,000 limit doesnt apply. (For information about the proc
