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Go to your county clerk's office and let them know you'd like to file a small claim. The clerk's office will give you paperwork to fill out with basic information for your case: your name (the plaintiff), the name of the person or business you're suing (the defendant) and the amount you're asking for.

Go to your county clerk's office and let them know you'd like to file a small claim. The clerk's office will give you paperwork to fill out with basic information for your case: your name (the plaintiff), the name of the person or business you're suing (the defendant) and the amount you're asking for.

There's a $30 filing fee for a case asking for up to $1,500; $50 for a claim over $1,500 and up to $5,000; and $75 for a claim over $5,000. If you file more than 12 cases in a year, subsequent cases will cost $100 to file. Where do I file? Each county has its own Small Claims Court.

Try to settle the dispute outside of court. ... Contact the county clerk in the small claims court district closest to the residence or business of the person you are suing. ... Fill out a complaint form, otherwise known as a "Statement of Claim" at the clerk's office, and pay the filing fee.

Can I bring a lawyer to small claims court? In a handful of states, including California, Michigan, and Nebraska, you must appear in small claims court on your own. In many states, however, you can be represented by a lawyer if you like. But even where it's allowed, hiring a lawyer is rarely cost efficient.

You can sue for up to $10,000, if you are an individual or a sole proprietor. Corporations and other entities are limited to $5,000. In addition, a party (individuals or corporations) can file no more than two claims exceeding $2,500 in any court throughout the State of California during a calendar year.

There's a $30 filing fee for a case asking for up to $1,500; $50 for a claim over $1,500 and up to $5,000; and $75 for a claim over $5,000. If you file more than 12 cases in a year, subsequent cases will cost $100 to file. Where do I file? Each county has its own Small Claims Court.

Can I bring a lawyer to small claims court? In a handful of states, including California, Michigan, and Nebraska, you must appear in small claims court on your own. In many states, however, you can be represented by a lawyer if you like. But even where it's allowed, hiring a lawyer is rarely cost efficient.

Complaint/Filing Fee In California, filing a small claim for $1,500 or less will cost $30. But the costs go up for higher claims. In limited civil cases, you pay $370 for a complaint of amounts over $10,000 and up to $25,000. There are different charges depending on the complaint.

Try to settle the dispute outside of court. ... Contact the county clerk in the small claims court district closest to the residence or business of the person you are suing. ... Fill out a complaint form, otherwise known as a "Statement of Claim" at the clerk's office, and pay the filing fee.

As to the cost of taking someone to small claims court, you'll generally pay a filing fee of less than $100 that is recoverable if you win. Meanwhile, each state will cap the amount you are allowed to sue for. It typically ranges anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000, according to LegalZoom.

That's why most small claims cases are local. However, sometimes you may need to file a small claims lawsuit against a defendant who lives in another state. ... If that person never comes to the state, you may not be able to sue them in small claims court.

If you are being sued in small claims court, you can file a counterclaim (a claim against the person who is suing you) if you believe that the plaintiff owes you money. ... Remember that different small claims courts have different procedures, so make sure you're complying with your court's requirements.

Getting sued in small claims court may mean going in front of the judge. You can choose to represent yourself, or have a lawyer represent you. ... If you believe that the plaintiff owes you money, you or your lawyer can file what's known as a Claim of Defendant.

In a handful of states, including California, Michigan, and Nebraska, you must appear in small claims court on your own. In many states, however, you can be represented by a lawyer if you like. But even where it's allowed, hiring a lawyer is rarely cost efficient.