Small Claims Court FAQ

Questions:

• 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?

Answer:

Are there time limits in which a small claims court case must be filed?

Yes. States establish rules called "statutes of limitations" that dictate how long you may wait to initiate a lawsuit after the event giving rise to the lawsuit occurs. Statutes of limitations rules apply to all courts, including small claims. For more information about time limits for lawsuits, see Nolo's article Statutes of Limitations: Is It Too Late to Sue? For various statutes of limitations in your state, see Nolo's Chart: Statutes of Limitations in All 50 States.