What is the lowest amount for small claims court?
You must pay the court, the Sheriff and the Secretary of State for their services. If you win, the court may include these costs as part of your judgment. When issuing a check to pay for court fees, make the check payable to “Los Angeles Superior Court.” If the check is for a service provided by the Sheriff, then make the check payable to the “Los Angeles County Sheriff”.
If you cannot afford to pay the court fees, you may file a Request to Waive Court Fees form with the Clerk’s office. You may be required to include personal financial information for the court to consider your request.
The filing fee for a Plaintiff’s Claim and Defendant’s Claim is based on the amount you are suing for. The filing fees are:
| Court Papers | Service Fee |
| Plaintiff’s Claim | Varies based on amount |
| Defendant’s Claim | Varies based on amount |
Some court papers require a copy to be served to the other party. The Sheriff’s Department can do this for you. Their fees are as follows:
| Service Type | Fee |
| Sheriff’s Service | Varies based on service |
If a corporation is served through the Secretary of State by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office, the fees are:
| Service Type | Fee |
| Secretary of State Service | Varies based on service |
Court forms are available at California Courts – Forms. Select “Small Claims” from the pull-down menu. Forms are also available at the Court Clerk’s office.
County of Los Angeles Department of Consumer and Business Affairs. Last change: Jan. 11, 2024
Can you hire a lawyer for small claims court in Florida?
In most cases, you do not need a lawyer for a small claims case. If your case is more complex, you might be better off hiring an attorney. If you need assistance locating an attorney, you may visit www.floridabar.org or call the Florida Bar’s referral service at (800)342-8011.
How long do you have to sue someone in small claims court in California?
With almost 4,000 small claims filed each day in the Los Angeles area alone, small claims court is a well-used legal tool in California. Designed with the average citizen in mind, the court lets everyday people resolve their disputes quickly, easily and, best of all, inexpensively.
The most common types of small claims suits are:
- Unpaid debts
- Property damage
- Contract disputes
- Automobile accidents
If you have one of these problems you’re having a hard time resolving, small claims court might be your perfect avenue.
Small claims court handles cases that involve disputes over money or property, usually below a set financial limit. In California, an individual can collect up to $7,500 in small claims court, while corporations and limited liability companies are still limited to $5,000. Keep in mind that the cost of hiring an attorney and spending time in civil court can quickly exceed such limits. Alternatively, filing a small claims case can offer a more accessible solution for resolving disputes at far lower cost.
The process is simple. Small claims cases are heard in a separate division of county civil courts. Both sides, the plaintiff and the defendant, present their case to a judge or court-appointed official. This judge in turn weighs the evidence and makes a decision. The whole process in court can be over in a matter of minutes.
Attorneys in many states, including California, are banned from these court proceedings.
In many states, the time limit on filing, otherwise known as the statute of limitations, will depend on the type of claim. For example, in California, you have four years to make a claim on a written contract, and three years to file for property damage. The statute of limitations on oral contracts and personal injury is a little shorter. If you don’t sue within two years, you can’t.
First of all, put everything in writing. You should include the who, the what, the where, the when and the why of your case and get ready to go to court.
Go to your county clerk’s office and let them know you’d like to file a small claim. The clerk’s office will give you paperwork to fill out with basic information for your case: your name (the plaintiff), the name of the person or business you’re suing (the defendant) and the amount you’re asking for. Make sure you have the correct name and address of the defendant. If any contact information is incorrect, your case may be dismissed. Be sure to keep copies of your paperwork for your records.
Next, you’ll need to pay court fees. Fees for filing a small claim vary by county in California, but it is typically around $80.
Once you have filed your claim with the court, you need to notify the defendant that they are being sued. This is called “service of process.” There are rules governing who can serve the defendant. Your options are certified mail, using the sheriff, or hiring a private process server. After your claim is filed and served on the defendant, the court begins processing your claim. Only after your opponent is successfully served will the court set a pre-trial hearing.
What is the maximum amount you can sue for in civil court in California?
The case could be about a contract dispute, damage to property, injury to a person, credit card or other debt, work-related disputes, and more. This guide will give you the general steps that apply to these types of civil cases. It also gives you some specific information about some of the more common reasons someone may go to civil court, like property damage, contract disputes, personal injury, and employment cases. It also has instructions if you’re sued for a debt, like credit card or medical debt.
There are other types of civil cases. Learn more Civil cases often involve money. But they can also involve things like:
- Family law
- Probate court
- Name changes
- Gender recognition
- Evictions
These are complicated types of civil cases. They don’t have pre-made forms you can use and the law can be difficult to explain and understand. This guide does not cover these types of civil cases. Talk to a lawyer for more information if you think you need to start one of these types of civil cases.
There are other types of legal cases also handled in civil court. For example, family law, probate court, name changes, gender recognition, and evictions. You can find more about these types of cases in the Self-Help Guide.
Civil cases are divided into two main categories generally by how much money they involve. The procedures are a little different between the two main types:
- Unlimited civil cases are cases for over $35,000
- For lawsuits for $12,500 or less, the person suing (plaintiff) may be able to file in small claims court instead. Business entities, like a corporation, can sue for up to $6,250 in small claims court. If you’re suing about COVID-19 rental debt, there is no limit to how much you can sue for in small claims court.
These cases are typically faster, less complicated, and less expensive than a limited civil case. Find out more about the difference between a limited civil and small claims case.
For example, you will need to follow, the Code of Civil Procedure, California Rules of Court, and your court’s local rules. Often, there are no court forms to use that can help you make sure you have all the information you need.
This Guide covers the general steps to follow, but it does not cover all the laws and rules you will need to know and follow.
Any mistake, even a small one, can mean that your case is dismissed, you lose, or in some situations even that you may have to pay for the other side’s lawyers’ fees and costs.
Sometimes, if you start or respond to a case on your own, you may find later in your case you do not know what to do next. You may be able to find a lawyer who can help you just with the parts that are more challenging for you to do on your own. Your court’s Self-Help Center may have resources for you.
If you decide not to get a lawyer or you cannot find one, you may find some helpful information on the Sacramento Law Library’s Legal Research page. The library also has a guide with the steps you’ll have to follow to start a civil case or respond to a lawsuit. Much of the information applies to every county in.
How do I serve someone in small claims court in California?
Service can be done in a few different ways. No matter which way, you can’t serve the forms yourself. You must have someone who is 18 or older serve the forms for you (this is your server).
Hand the forms to the other side (personal service)
This is how forms are usually served.
Hand the forms to someone at the other side’s home or work (substituted service)
The server can hand the forms to an adult at the other side’s home, work, or where they usually get their mail. The server must also mail a copy of the forms to the other side.
Court clerk sends forms by certified mail (only offered in some courts)
Only the court can serve this way. The court charges a $15 fee to serve this way. This type of service often works well when you’re serving a business’s agent for service of process. For others, it often doesn’t work.
Sometimes the person being served won’t pick up the certified mail, the judge can’t read their signature on the postal service form, or someone else signs for them. These are all reasons the judge would think the other side wasn’t served correctly.
Person
If you’re suing a person (or people)—not a business or government—serve each person you are suing. They have to be served in California.
Business or government
If you’re suing a business or government, there is a specific person you must serve, not just any employee. Find out who in How to Serve a Business or Public Entity (form SC-104C). They have to be served in California.
Landlord
If you’re suing your landlord you can serve them in California or out of state if they live there.
Out-of-state driver
If you’re suing about a car accident, and the owner or driver of the other car lives out of state, serve the driver, owner, and the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles.
You can’t serve the papers yourself. Ask another adult to serve them. This is your server.
Your server must be:
- Someone you know or a family member
- The county sheriff (in some counties)
- The sheriff charges to serve papers unless you have a fee waiver.
- A professional process server you pay
- Someone you don’t know who agrees to deliver the Claim and follow all the service laws
Your server must deliver the forms at least 15 days before your court date, or 20 days before your court date if the person, business, or government you’re serving is in a different county from where you filed your case.
Look at a calendar.
If it’s Monday through Friday and not a holiday, court holiday or closure, you must have the forms delivered by the end of that day.
If it’s a Saturday or Sunday, court holiday, or closure, count back to a day that court will be open. You must have the forms delivered by the end of that day.
It’s best to serve as early as you can. If you can’t find the person you need to serve and have to try substitute service you have to do it 10 days before this deadline. You don’t want to lose that option by waiting too long to serve.
Talk to the court clerk or the Small Claims Advisor. Each lo.
How much does it cost to go to small claims court in Florida?
$130
$55
$80
$175
$300
Cost
| $2.50 | $100 |
| $42 | $25 |
| $10 | $8.50 |
| $25 |
Reopen fee exemptions
- $50
- $2
- $7
- $10
- $17
- $85
Acceptable forms of payment for fees and costs are:
Payments for fees and costs must be remitted in U.S. currency. Do not send cash through the mail.
Payments submitted by check or money order must be made payable to:
Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Clerk & Comptroller
What is the maximum amount for a small claims case in Washington?
Washington State law allows you to file a small claims case only for recovery of money owed to you. Learn more at Washington State Courts Small Claims Court.
Small claims is for the recovery of money. If your small claims suit is for something other than the recovery of money, it may be dismissed by the judge.
Any individual may file a small claims suit.
In either instance, your claim will be limited to the amount you request in the Notice of Small Claim.
Only the person who is owed the money can file the small claim case. You cannot ask someone else to file a small claim for you.
You must pay the Court a $50 filing fee when you file your small claim.
You may have some additional fees payable to the sheriff or process server to have the Notice of Small Claim served on the defendant. Or, you may serve notice on the defendant by registered or certified mail, return receipt mailing. Our Small Claims Packet – Plaintiff contains information on how to serve the defendant.
If you win your small claim case, you are entitled to recover the filing fee and the cost of service, as allowed by state law.
Statutes of limitations for small claims cases vary depending on the type of claim. (RCW 4.16) Consult an attorney.
How long do you have to file a small claims case in California?
With almost 4,000 small claims filed each day in the Los Angeles area alone, small claims court is a well-used legal tool in California. Designed with the average citizen in mind, the court lets everyday people resolve their disputes quickly, easily and, best of all, inexpensively.
The most common types of small claims suits are:
- Unpaid debts
- Property damage
- Contract disputes
- Car accidents
If you have one of these problems, you’re having a hard time resolving, small claims court might be your perfect avenue.
Small claims court handles cases that involve disputes over money or property, usually below a set financial limit. In California, an individual can collect up to $7,500 in small claims court, while corporations and limited liability companies are still limited to $5,000. Keep in mind that the cost of hiring an attorney and spending time in civil court can quickly exceed such limits. Alternatively, filing a small claims case can offer a more accessible solution for resolving disputes at far lower cost.
The process is simple. Small claims cases are heard in a separate division of county civil courts. Both sides, the plaintiff and the defendant, present their case to a judge or court-appointed official. This judge in turn weighs the evidence and makes a decision. The whole process in court can be over in a matter of minutes.
Attorneys in many states, including California, are banned from these court proceedings.
In many states, the time limit on filing, otherwise known as the statute of limitations, will depend on the type of claim. For example, in California, you have four years to make a claim on a written contract, and three years to file for property damage. The statute of limitations on oral contracts and personal injury is a little shorter. If you don’t sue within two years, you can’t.
First of all, put everything in writing. You should include the who, the what, the where, the when and the why of your case and get ready to go to court.
Go to your county clerk’s office and let them know you’d like to file a small claim. The clerk’s office will give you paperwork to fill out with basic information for your case: your name (the plaintiff), the name of the person or business you’re suing (the defendant) and the amount you’re asking for. Make sure you have the correct name and address of the defendant. If any contact information is incorrect, your case may be dismissed. Be sure to keep copies of your paperwork for your records.
Next, you’ll need to pay court fees. Fees for filing a small claim vary by county in California, but it is typically around $80.
Once you have filed your claim with the court, you need to notify the defendant that they are being sued. This is called “service of process.” There are rules governing who can serve the defendant. Your options are certified mail, using the sheriff, or hiring a private process server. After your claim is filed and served on the defendant, the court begins processing your claim. Only after your opponent is successfully served will the court set a pre-trial hearing.