All articles about Filing a Small Claims Case in California: Step-by-Step Guide.
Nolo's 400-page small claims treatise is thorough but dense. Here are the alternatives — filing guides, free court resources, filing services — and when each fits.
Comparing your options when you've never filed a small claims case in California — free court resources, Nolo books, filing services, and step-by-step guides.
Step-by-step options for suing a contractor in California small claims court — CSLB checks, entity naming, evidence strategy, and which resources actually help.
Key California small claims court rules — jurisdiction limits, who can sue, no-lawyer rule, hearing procedures and deadlines under CCP §§ 116.110–116.950.
The California Courts self-help site has every form and rule you need. A filing checklist puts them in order. Here's what each one covers and where the gap is.
Comparing a step-by-step filing guide against People Clerk, PettyLawsuit, and other California small claims filing services — costs, coverage, and gaps.
What to include in a California small claims demand letter, how to send it by certified mail, and the notice requirement before you can file.
How to file a small claims case against a neighbor in California for tree damage, water damage or fence disputes — limits, evidence and deadlines.
Should you use People Clerk or file your California small claims case yourself? Costs, what each option covers, and where each one stops.
How to request a court interpreter for a California small claims hearing — who to contact, what form to use, and what to expect at the hearing.
Attorneys can't represent you at a California small claims hearing. Here's what that means, how to prepare without one, and when lawyers enter the picture.
How long a California small claims case takes from demand letter to judgment — filing, service, hearing and collection timelines with real deadlines.
How mediation works in California small claims court — free court programs, what happens in a session, and whether you should try it before the hearing.
Differences between small claims and regular civil court in California — dollar limits, lawyers, evidence rules, and when a case gets transferred.
How to file a California small claims case to get your money back from a seller or business that refused a refund — forms, fees and what to bring.
How a California tenant can file a small claims case against a landlord for security deposit theft, uninhabitable conditions or illegal charges.
How to sue an unlicensed contractor in California small claims court — deposit recovery, CSLB verification, naming the defendant and damages.
Step-by-step guide to suing an LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship in California small claims court — entity lookup, registered agents, and service rules.
Exactly what documents, evidence, and copies to bring to your California small claims hearing — plus how to organize everything for a 10-minute presentation.
California freelancers and small businesses: how to sue for unpaid invoices in small claims court, including DBA filing, registered agent service, and the $6,250 entity limit.
Step-by-step guide to suing a contractor in California small claims court — unlicensed contractors, deposit recovery, claim limits, and what to bring to court.
Personal service, substituted service, certified mail, and serving corporations — California small claims service rules, deadlines, and costs explained.
A step-by-step walkthrough of how to file a small claims case in California — from the demand letter through Form SC-100, service, and the hearing.
Won your California small claims case but the defendant won't pay? Here's how to enforce your judgment with wage garnishment, bank levies, and liens.
California small claims statute of limitations by claim type — 2 years for oral contracts, 3 years for property damage, 4 years for written contracts, and more.
How to get a fee waiver for California small claims court — income limits, qualifying benefits, what's covered, and how to submit Form FW-001.
How to file a cross-complaint (Defendant's Claim, Form SC-120) in California small claims court — deadlines, limits, and what happens at the hearing.
How to sue over a used car in California small claims court — undisclosed defects, lemon law for private sales, proving your case, and what to bring to court.
California tenants: how to sue for your security deposit in small claims court — the 21-day rule, bad-faith 2x damages, and what to bring to court.
California small claims filing fees are $30, $50, or $75 depending on your claim amount. Here is the full fee schedule and how to apply for a fee waiver with Form FW-001.
Which California courts accept online small claims filings, how e-filing works, what it costs, and the differences from filing in person.
California generally requires a request for payment before filing in small claims court, though no particular demand-letter format is required. Here is what to write, how to send it, and why certified mail matters for your case.
How to pick the right courthouse for your California small claims case — venue rules by defendant location, contract, injury, and consumer transactions.
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.
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.