California small claims appeal rules are asymmetrical: defendants can appeal judgments on plaintiffs' claims, and plaintiffs can appeal judgments against them on defendants' claims. Here are the deadlines, costs, and what happens at the appeal hearing.
Need to postpone your California small claims hearing? How to request a continuance, the $10 fee, deadlines, and what counts as good cause.
The current California small claims court limit is $12,500 for individuals and $6,250 for businesses. Here is exactly how the caps work and what to do if your claim is larger.
A guide to every Judicial Council form used in California small claims court — SC-100, SC-104, SC-120, FW-001, and more — with when to file each one.
Every California county offers free small claims advisory help — what advisors can and can't do, how to reach them, and when mediation might resolve your case first.
How to use Form EJ-130 (Writ of Execution) to enforce a California small claims judgment through bank levies, wage garnishment, and property seizure.
How to appear remotely in a California small claims hearing — Zoom, LACourtConnect, evidence rules, and county-specific requirements for video hearings.
How to file a counterclaim in California small claims court using Form SC-120. Deadlines, fees, service rules, and what happens at the hearing.
What happens when you miss a California small claims hearing. Learn how default judgments work, the 30-day deadline to vacate with Form SC-135, and your options.
A plain-language overview of California small claims court — jurisdiction limits, filing fees, hearing rules, and what to expect at each step of the process.
Learn how to use an Abstract of Judgment (Form EJ-001) in California to place a lien on a debtor's real property after winning in small claims court.
A field-by-field guide to completing Judicial Council Form SC-100 for California small claims court — what goes in each section and common mistakes to avoid.
How to complete Form SC-104 (Proof of Service) for California small claims court — who fills it out, what each section means, and the mandatory filing deadline.