What Types of Cases Can Be Resolved in Small Claims Court?
Determine whether your case is eligible for small claims court.
Small claims courts primarily resolve relatively small monetary disputes. Lawsuits in small claims court are limited to between $3,000 and $10,000, depending on your state -- for your state's limit, see How Much You Can Sue For in Small Claims Court. However, not all types of claims are allowed in small claims court, even if they fall within the dollar limit.
Claims Allowed in Small Claims Court
Common types of claims involve failure to repay a loan, fix a car or appliance properly, return a security deposit, or meet the terms of a service contract -- for example, properly remodel a kitchen or install a new roof.
In a few states, small claims courts may also rule on a limited range of other types of legal disputes, such as evictions or requests for the return of an item of property (called "restitution" in legal jargon).
 | Can I split up my small claims court lawsuit to avoid the dollar limit? |  |
When it comes to disputes involving money, you can usually file in small claims court based on any legal theory that is allowed in any other court -- for example, breach of contract, personal injury, intentional harm, or breach of warranty. Thus if you buy an expensive new "all-weather tent" and it leaks the first time you're out in a storm, you have the basics for a valid small claims suit based on breach of warranty. For information on gathering evidence for your case, see How to Prepare Your Small Claims Case.
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