How to file a small claims case
What small claims court is for, the usual steps to file, and how to prepare. A no-lawyer path for everyday money disputes. Legal information, not legal advice.
What small claims court is for
Small claims court handles money disputes up to a dollar limit set by your state (often somewhere between $2,500 and $10,000, but it varies widely). It's built for regular people: simplified rules, low fees, and in many states lawyers aren't even allowed.
Common uses: an unreturned security deposit, unpaid wages, a contractor who didn't finish the work, property damage, or a loan to a friend that was never repaid.
The usual steps
First, send a demand letter — many courts require you to ask for payment before suing, and it often resolves things. Then file a short form (sometimes called a complaint or statement of claim) with the court and pay the filing fee, which can be waived if you can't afford it.
Next, the other side must be formally notified ('service of process') following your court's rules — you usually can't just hand it to them yourself. The court sets a hearing date.
Prepare for the hearing
Bring your evidence organized and in copies: the contract or lease, photos, receipts, texts and emails, and a short timeline of what happened. Practice explaining your side in a few clear sentences.
Pike can help you figure out the right court, draft your demand letter, and prepare a fee-waiver request. It can't file for you or argue your case — that part is yours.
Common questions
It depends on your state's limit, commonly in the $2,500–$10,000 range. If your claim is larger, you can sometimes still use small claims by waiving the amount over the limit. Confirm your state's cap.
Usually not — small claims is designed for self-represented people, and some states don't allow lawyers at all. The process is meant to be navigable on your own.
Most courts offer a fee waiver based on income. Ask the clerk or the self-help center for the form. Pike can help you prepare it.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by state and change over time — confirm the specifics for your jurisdiction, and for advice about your situation talk to a licensed attorney or your local legal aid.
Pike can help you draft the documents for this — you sign and send them yourself.