Small Claims Court FAQ
Rules and strategies for bringing your dispute to small claims court.
» Can any kind of case be resolved in small claims court?
Are there time limits in which a small claims court case must be filed?
How much can I sue for in small claims court?
Where should I file my small claims lawsuit?
What can I do to resolve my problem without going to small claims court?
Will I get paid if I win the lawsuit?
If I'm sued in small claims court but the other party is really at fault, can I countersue?
What should I do to prepare my small claims case?
What's the best way to present my small claims case to a judge?
Can I bring a lawyer to small claims court?
If I lose my case in small claims court, can I appeal?
Can any kind of case be resolved in small claims court?
No. Small claims courts primarily resolve small monetary disputes, and in a few states, evictions and restitution of property. No state allows you to use small claims court to file a divorce, guardianship, name change, or bankruptcy, or to ask for emergency relief (such as an injunction to stop someone from doing an illegal act). A few states also prohibit small claims suits based on libel, slander, false arrest, and a few other legal theories.
For more information, see What Types of Cases Can Be Resolved in Small Claims Court?
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