Table of Contents
The Small Claims Court A Guide to Its Practical Use
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- Basic Considerations and Questions
- What Is Small Claims Court?
- Is Small Claims Court Your Best Option?
- Have You Tried to Settle the Dispute Yourself?
- Have You Considered Mediation?
- Where Can You Obtain More Information and Advice?
- Who Can File or Defend a Claim?
- Can Someone Else Represent You?
- Can Your Spouse Represent You?
- If You're the Plaintiff ... Filing Your Lawsuit
- Have You Asked for the Money or the Property?
- How Much Money Does Your Dispute Involve?
- Where Do You File Your Case?
- How Quickly Must You File Your Case?
- What Forms Do You Need to File?
- How Do You Name the Defendant?
- How Do You Notify the Defendant of Your Claim?
- Locating the Other Party
- Telephone and City Directories
- U.S. Postal Service Records
- Secretary of State Records
- Department of Motor Vehicles Records
- County Business Records
- City Business Records
- Internet Databases
- If You're the Defendant ... Responding to the Lawsuit
- What Should You Do After You Receive an Order to Appear?
- What If You Owe All or Part of the Plaintiff's Claim?
- What If You Can't Resolve the Dispute Informally?
- What If You Can't Attend the Court Hearing?
- What If Service of Process Rules Weren't Followed?
- What If the Plaintiff Hasn't Filed in a Proper Court?
- What If the Plaintiff Owes YOU Money?
- Plaintiffs and Defendants ... Making the Best of Your Day in Court
- Resolving Your Dispute Before the Hearing
- Gathering the Documents You Need
- Arranging for Your Witnesses
- Hearing Before a Temporary Judge
- Presenting Your Claim or Defense
- Asking for Court Costs
- Plaintiffs and Defendants ... The Judgment
- Receiving the Judge's Decision
- Judgment Against a Party Who Doesn't Come to the Hearing
- Setting Aside a Judgment Against a Party Who Didn't Come to the Hearing
- Correcting an Error or Appealing a Small Claims Court Judgment
- Re-Hearing Before a Different Judge on Appeal