Small-Claims Guides & Resources

Plain-language articles for self-represented litigants on filing, evidence, hearings, and collecting judgments.

Filing

How to File a Small-Claims Case, Start to Finish

A plain-language walkthrough of every stage of a small-claims case, from naming the defendant to your two minutes in front of the judge.

2026-06-18 · 8 min read

Evidence

Receipts, contracts, photos, and texts can all win a small-claims case, but only if you bring them in a form the court can actually use.

2026-06-10 · 7 min read

Money

Judges award amounts you can prove, not amounts you feel. Learn how to itemize damages so your claim holds up.

2026-05-29 · 6 min read

Procedure

The defendant has a right to be notified. Here are the methods courts accept and the mistakes that get cases thrown out.

2026-05-20 · 6 min read

Court Day

Most small-claims hearings last minutes, not hours. Learn how to open, what to bring, and how to answer the judge.

2026-05-12 · 7 min read

Collecting

Winning is half the battle. Here are the tools, from wage garnishment to bank levies, that turn a judgment into a payment.

2026-05-04 · 7 min read

Before You File

Before you spend the filing fee and the hours, run your dispute through five questions that predict whether suing is worth it.

2026-04-25 · 6 min read

Disputes

Many states penalize landlords who wrongly keep a deposit. Here is how to document your move-out and build the claim.

2026-04-16 · 7 min read