{"id":369001,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:05","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/litigation\/going-to-court\/small-claims-cases.html"},"modified":"2024-05-10T15:52:01","modified_gmt":"2024-05-10T20:52:01","slug":"small-claims-cases","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/small-claims-cases.html","title":{"rendered":"What Can I Sue for in Small Claims Court?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What Can I Sue for in Small Claims Court?<\/h1>\n
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\n By Susan Buckner, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Not all court cases require teams of attorneys and crates of evidence. Most disputes involve much smaller sums and less dramatic issues. When you disagree with your neighbor over who should pay for repairs after their tree falls on your fence, it goes to small claims court.<\/p>\r\n

Small claims courts <\/a>are part of the state court system. Litigants file their complaints with the court, but filing fees are smaller than in civil court. Small claims filing fees are often less than $200. The person suing (the plaintiff) does not have to serve the other party (the defendant), so there are no process server fees.<\/p>\r\n

The court clerk’s office sets the hearing date and advises both parties by mail. At the hearing, the judge hears the evidence, reviews the documents filed by both parties, and often gives a verdict on the same day. Most state laws do not allow attorneys to represent clients in small claims courts, so there is no lengthy witness testimony or cross-examination.<\/p>\r\n

What kinds of cases go to small claims court?<\/h2>\r\n

Small claims courts are limited jurisdiction courts. They only hear certain types of cases. Most states hear civil cases with dollar values below $10,000, although a few states’ small claims courts are as high as $15,000. High-value civil cases must go to civil court.<\/p>\r\n

Some states, such as California, have limited civil courts which hear cases up to $35,000. Unlimited civil courts take the remaining cases. You should confirm with the clerk’s office before filing any documents.<\/p>\r\n

Small claims courts can hear most types of civil court cases, such as:<\/p>\r\n