You can look at your credit report at .annualcreditreport or you can go to the local clerk for the courts and search the county database. If there are judgments in other jurisdictions you would have to look there as well.
Generally, you can only sue for up to $12,500 in small claims court (or up to $6,250 if you're a business). You can ask a lawyer for advice before you go to court, but you can't have one with you in court.
Conclusion: Going to small claims court may be worth it for $500, but it will determine how you weigh your costs versus benefits. At a minimum, it is worth it to send a demand letter.
To do this, fill out an EJ-001 Abstract of Judgment form and take it to the clerk's office. After the clerk stamps it, record it at the County Recorder's Office in the county where the property is located. Place a lien on a business.
Some possible options to enforce an out-of-state judgment in California include the following: Levying the debtor's assets and personal belongings. Placing a lien on the debtor's property. Levying the debtor's bank account. Levying the debtor's vehicle. Garnishing the debtor's wages.
In many cases, filing in small claims court is the fastest and easiest way for people to legally settle their disputes. The person suing is the plaintiff, and the person being sued is the defendant. A person cannot sue for more than $12,500 in most cases. A business or public entity cannot sue for more than $6,250.
Go to the court's website where the case is filed. Most courts have a section on their website called "online services" or something similar. There you will find information about whether you can look up a court case online and what type of records you can see. Not all types of records are available online.
Certified copies of divorce records can be requested through the superior court, either in-person or by mail. The George E. McDonald Hall of Justice is the courthouse in Alameda County that houses all divorce papers. For either option, start by filling out the county's civil records request form.