Fill out the Summons (form SUM-100) and a Complaint. Also, fill out a Civil Case Cover Sheet (form CM-010). Since you are the one filing a lawsuit, you're called the plaintiff. The person or company you're suing is the defendant.
California Courts provide Form PLD-050 for general denials. Note the court's rules on the use of this form: If the amount asked for in the complaint is less than $1,000, you must use this form for a general denial. You may use this form if the complaint is not verified.
Go to the courthouse address listed at the top of the Complaint you were served with. At the courthouse, file the forms by giving the original and the 2 copies of the Answer and Proof of Service to the clerk. The clerk will stamp the forms. The court will keep the original and return the copies to you.
LASC CIV 301 - Amendment to Cross-Complaint (Corrected Name). This form is used when the cross-complainant files a cross-complaint with an incorrect name for the cross-defendant. The form allows for the correction of the cross-complaint by substituting the true name for the incorrect one, with options for both cases.
The Small Claims Hearing When submitting evidence, you must complete form LASC CIV 278 and use LASC CIV 279 mailing labels. You will have to provide proof that the other parties were sent copies of your evidence. You can get this from the Post Office at the time you mail these forms.
Start a case Form NameForm NumberGuide Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court SC-100 Fill out forms to start a small claims case Other Plaintiffs or Defendants (Attachment to Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court) SC-100A Fictitious Business Name (Small Claims) SC-103 3 more rows
To file or defend a case in small claims court, you must be (a) at least 18 years old or legally emancipated, and (b) mentally competent. A person must be represented by a Guardian ad Litem if he or she is under 18 and not legally emancipated, or has been declared mentally incompetent by a court.
Fill in the Postal Order Once you have bought the postal order, you must fill in the details. This includes providing the recipient's name and address and information about the sender. Additionally, you need information like the postal order number on a postal order. You will also need to write your signature.