small-claims-court

A collection of 153 posts

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Florida: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Florida, go to your county court. Fill out a Statement of Claim form. Pay the filing fee. Have the defendant served. Then attend a pre-trial conference and mediation before your case goes to a judge. Most cases settle before trial. Florida's small

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Texas: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Texas, go to your local Justice of the Peace (JP) court. Fill out a Petition form, pay the filing fee, and get the defendant served. Filing fees run $46 to $134 depending on your county. Texas JP courts handle disputes up to $20,000. Most

small-claims-court

Reasons to Sue Your Landlord (And How to Actually Do It)

There are many valid reasons to sue your landlord. The top ones are breach of contract, negligence, emotional distress, wrongful eviction, and unsafe conditions. You can take your landlord to court yourself. You don't need a lawyer. Can I Sue My Landlord? (Short Answer: Yes) Can I sue

small-claims-court

How to Sue Someone: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

To sue someone, send a formal demand for payment first. If they don't respond, file a complaint at your local small claims court, pay a $30 to $75 filing fee, have the defendant served, and show up to your hearing with your evidence. Most cases settle before you

small-claims-court

Small Claims Court Florida: How to File and Win Your Case (2026 Guide)

To file in small claims court Florida, start by getting a Statement of Claim form from your county clerk's office. Fill it out, pay the filing fee, and have the defendant served. Most cases wrap up in 60 to 90 days, and many settle before the trial date

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in California: Complete Guide

Someone owes you money in California and won't pay? Small claims court might be your best move. No lawyer needed. The process is built for regular people. For amounts under $12,500, it's one of the most accessible parts of the legal system. This guide walks

demand-letter

How to Write a Demand Letter That Gets Results

Someone owes you money. Maybe it's $600 from a contractor who went quiet halfway through the job. Maybe it's a security deposit your old landlord decided was theirs to keep. Maybe a friend borrowed money and is suddenly hard to reach. You've texted. You&

privacy

Can You Sue a Tech Company for Privacy Violations?

You trusted a tech company with your data. They said it was safe. Then you found out it wasn't. Can you sue a tech company for privacy breaches? Yes. And real people are doing it right now. On March 5, 2026, a law firm sued Meta over its

small-claims-court

Small Claims Court Limits by State (2026 Updated)

The small claims limit changes a lot by state. In Kentucky, you're capped at $2,500. In Tennessee or Delaware, you can claim up to $25,000. Getting this wrong before you file can waste your time and money. This guide covers the dollar limit for every state.

demand-letter

Free Demand Letter Template: How to Write One That Gets Results

You're owed money. You've asked nicely. You've sent a text, maybe two. You've been ignored, brushed off, or given an excuse that doesn't hold up. And now you're sitting there wondering what your next move is. Here'

small-claims-court

How to Sue a Contractor for Bad Work or Unfinished Jobs

You hired a contractor. You paid them, at least partly. Now you're staring at work that's half-finished, flat-out wrong, or so bad you had to hire someone else to fix it. If you want to sue a contractor for bad work, you're

security-deposit

Landlord Won't Return Your Deposit? Here's Exactly What to Do

Your lease is up. You cleaned the place. You patched the nail holes. You left it better than you found it. Now you're waiting. The deposit doesn't come. Your landlord goes quiet. Or worse, they send back a check for $47 with a vague list of

security-deposit

How to Get Your Security Deposit Back (State-by-State Guide)

Getting your security deposit back shouldn't be hard. But many landlords count on you not knowing your rights. They hold your money. They give vague excuses. Or they just go quiet. Most tenants shrug and move on. Not you. This guide covers what your landlord must do by

small-claims-court

Suing Someone for Money Owed: Is It Worth It? (Yes, Here's How)

Should You Sue Someone for Money Owed? The Short Answer: Yes. Someone owes you money. Maybe they borrowed it and went quiet. Maybe they didn't pay for work you did. Maybe it's rent, a deposit, or payment for something you sold. Your first instinct is probably

demand-letters

What Is a Letter of Demand? (And Why It's the First Step to Getting Paid)

A letter of demand (also called a demand letter) is a formal written document that tells someone they owe you money. It gives them a deadline to pay. It's the official step between "hey, you owe me" and filing a lawsuit. If someone has been ignoring

demand-letters

How to Write a Demand Letter for Payment (That Actually Gets You Paid)

Someone owes you money and they're not paying. You've texted. You've called. Maybe you've even been polite about it for months. Nothing. It's time to write a demand letter for payment. A demand letter is a formal written request. It

demand-letters

California Demand Letter Requirements: What to Include Before Filing Small Claims

If someone owes you money in California and you're thinking about small claims court, there's one step to take first. Send a demand letter. California courts don't require a specific format for your demand letter. But they do expect you to show that you

unpaid-wages

Employer Won't Pay You? How to Get Your Unpaid Wages

Your Boss Owes You Money. Now What? You did the work. You showed up. You put in the hours. And your employer just didn't pay you. Maybe they claim cash flow issues. Maybe they cut your last check short. Maybe you quit and they "forgot" your

small-claims-court

How to Sue a Company Without a Lawyer: Your DIY Legal Guide

A company screwed you over. Maybe a contractor took your deposit and vanished. A gym kept charging you after you canceled. A mechanic billed you for repairs that never happened. You're owed money. You know you're owed money. And you're wondering: can you sue

company-news Featured

eFile Small Claims in California: PettyLawsuit Is a Certified EFSP

PettyLawsuit is now a certified Electronic Filing Service Provider (EFSP) in California courts. That means you can efile small claims in California right through our platform. No printing. No trip to the courthouse. If you've been wondering how to file small claims online in California, good news. You

small-claims-court

Small Claims Court Help: Free Resources and Tools

If you need small claims court assistance, you're doing the right thing. Most people who get burned by a contractor, a landlord, or a business just eat the loss and move on. They vent to friends. They leave a bad review. And they give up. That's

small-claims-court

How to Sue Someone for Money They Owe You

Someone Owes You Money. Here's What to Do. You lent someone money. Or a contractor took your deposit and disappeared. Or a company owes you a refund they keep "processing." Whatever happened, you're short on cash and the other person isn't losing

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims: Online Filing in Every State

To file a small claims case, you complete a complaint form at your local court, pay a filing fee, and arrange for the defendant to be served. The court sets a hearing date after that. In many states you can start the filing online, but availability depends on your specific

small-claims-court

How to File a Lawsuit Against Someone (Without a Lawyer)

Someone owes you money and won't pay. A contractor did bad work and vanished. Whatever happened, you're done waiting. You want to act. So how do you file a lawsuit against someone? And can you do it without a lawyer? Yes. Millions of Americans go to

small-claims-court

Taking Someone to Court: Your Complete Beginner's Guide

Someone wronged you. Now you want to do something about it. Maybe a contractor took your money and ran. Maybe your landlord kept your deposit for no good reason. Maybe a friend borrowed money and stopped answering your calls. Whatever happened, you're thinking about taking someone to court.