small-claims-court

A collection of 153 posts

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Idaho: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Idaho, go to the Magistrate Court in the county where the other person lives or where the problem happened. Fill out a Small Claims Form (CAO SC 1-2), pay $69, and have the papers sent to the other side. Idaho caps small claims at

small-claims-court

Small Claims Court Statute of Limitations by State (2026)

The statute of limitations for small claims court ranges from 1 to 10 years depending on your state and claim type. For written contracts, most states give you 3 to 6 years. For oral contracts, it's often 2 to 6 years. Personal injury claims are shorter: 1 to

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Virginia: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Virginia, go to the Small Claims Division of your local General District Court. Fill out a Warrant in Debt (form DC-412). Pay the filing fee ($30 to $75 based on your claim). Then have the other side served. Virginia caps small claims at $5,

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Maryland: Complete 2026 Guide

To file a small claim in Maryland, fill out form DC-CV-001 and bring it to the District Court where the other person lives. Pay $34 to $46 to file. The court sets a hearing date about 60 days out. Maryland small claims covers money disputes of $5,000

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in South Carolina: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in South Carolina, go to the Magistrate Court in the county where the other person lives. Fill out a Summons and Complaint form. Pay the $80 filing fee plus $40 for service. Your trial gets set within 30 to 60 days. The limit is $7,500.

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Wisconsin: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Wisconsin, go to the Circuit Court in your county. Fill out a Summons and Complaint (form SC-500). Pay the filing fee ($94 to $105 total). The court clerk mails a copy to the other side for you. Wisconsin caps most small claims at $10,

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Minnesota: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Minnesota, go to your county's Conciliation Court. Fill out a Statement of Claim and Summons form. Pay the filing fee ($65 to $80 depending on your county). For claims of $2,500 or less, the court mails the papers to the other side

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Iowa: Complete 2026 Guide

How to File Small Claims in Iowa The Iowa small claims court process is simple. Set up a free account on the Iowa eFiling portal. Fill out the Original Notice form. Pay $95 online. The clerk sends the papers to the other side by certified mail at no extra cost.

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Alabama: Complete 2026 Guide

To file a small claims case in Alabama, go to your county's District Court clerk's office, fill out Form SM-01, pay the filing fee ($35 to $223 depending on your claim amount), and have the court serve the defendant. Most cases go from filing to

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Arkansas: Complete 2026 Guide

To file a small claims case in Arkansas, go to the District Court clerk in the county where the person you're suing lives. Fill out a complaint form. Pay the filing fee ($30 to $65). Have the other party served. The whole thing takes about 30 to 90

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Utah: Complete 2026 Guide

To file a small claims case in Utah, go to your local justice court, fill out an Affidavit and Summons form, pay a filing fee between $60 and $185, and have the defendant served. Utah lets you sue for up to $20,000 in small claims court. Most cases wrap

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Oklahoma: Complete 2026 Guide

How to File Small Claims in Oklahoma To file small claims in Oklahoma, go to your local District Court, fill out the Small Claims Affidavit, pay the filing fee ($42 to $80 depending on your county and claim size), and have the defendant served at least 7 days before the

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Connecticut: Complete 2026 Guide

To file in Connecticut small claims court, fill out form JD-CV-40, serve it on the defendant, then bring the papers to the clerk. The filing fee is $95 flat. Hearings happen on video call. Most cases resolve within 60 to 90 days. One thing most guides miss: Connecticut

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Oregon: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Oregon, go to your county Circuit Court, fill out the claim form, pay $57 or $102, and serve the other side within 63 days. Oregon lets you sue for up to $10,000. Most cases finish in 30 to 60 days. This guide covers every

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Kentucky: Complete 2026 Guide

To file a small claims case in Kentucky, go to your county's District Court clerk's office. Fill out form AOC-175. Pay the $30 fee. The clerk will mail the defendant. Most cases go to hearing in 30 to 60 days. Kentucky caps small claims at

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Louisiana: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Louisiana, go to a Justice of the Peace Court or a City Court Small Claims Division. Fill out a Petition for Damages. Pay the filing fee. Then have the defendant served by the constable or certified mail. Hearings are set within 30 to 60 days.

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Indiana: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Indiana, go to the Small Claims Court in your township. File where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened. Fill out the claim form. Pay the filing fee (about $35 to $70 depending on your county). Wait for your hearing. You can claim up

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Colorado: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Colorado, go to the County Court in the county where the defendant lives, works, or has a business. Fill out form JDF 250. Pay the filing fee: $31 for claims up to $500, or $55 for claims up to $7,500. Serve the defendant at

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Arizona: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Arizona, go to the Justice Court in the precinct where the defendant lives or the dispute happened. Fill out the complaint form, pay the $58 filing fee, and wait for your hearing. You can claim up to $3,500. Hearings are usually scheduled 30 to

small-claims-court

How to Sue for Spam Texts and Robocalls: Get $500 to $1,500 Per Violation

You can sue for spam texts and get $500 to $1,500 for each one. The law that lets you do this is the TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act). It's a federal law under 47 U.S.C. § 227. You don't need a lawyer.

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in New Jersey: Complete 2026 Guide

To file a small claims case in New Jersey, fill out a Small Claims Complaint (Form DC), pay the $35 filing fee, and submit it to the Special Civil Part office in the county where the defendant lives. You can file online through the JEDS system, by mail, or in

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Massachusetts: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Massachusetts, go to your local District Court, Boston Municipal Court, or Housing Court. Fill out a Statement of Claim and Notice form, pay the filing fee ($40 to $150 based on your claim amount), and the court will mail a copy to the defendant. Massachusetts

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Washington State: Complete 2026 Guide

To file in small claims court Washington state, go to your local district court, fill out the Notice of Small Claim form, pay the $35 or $50 filing fee, and have the other party served. You can sue for up to $10,000 as a person. The whole process takes

small-claims-court

How to Sue Amazon in Small Claims Court (And Actually Win)

Yes, you can sue Amazon in small claims court. You file your claim at your local courthouse, pay a filing fee ($15 to $75 in most states), and serve Amazon through their registered agent: Corporation Service Company at 251 Little Falls Drive, Wilmington, DE 19808. The whole process costs under

small-claims-court

TCPA: How to Sue Telemarketers for $500 to $1,500 Per Call

You can sue telemarketers for $500 per illegal call or text. The law that makes this possible is the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). If the caller broke the law on purpose, that jumps to $1,500 per call. You do not need a lawyer. You can file a TCPA