{"id":369002,"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-court.html"},"modified":"2024-06-03T12:44:34","modified_gmt":"2024-06-03T17:44:34","slug":"small-claims-court","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/litigation\/going-to-court\/small-claims-court.html","title":{"rendered":"Small Claims Court"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Small Claims Court<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, 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

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\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

Learn more about small claims courts with FindLaw. This article offers an overview of filing complaints in small claims court. It provides helpful information and resources to help you understand the cost-effective alternative to the traditional litigation process, from understanding small claims court to learning how to appeal a court judgment.<\/p>\r\n

A link to an article about your state’s small claims court can be found below.<\/p>\r\n

Understanding Small Claims Court<\/h2>\r\n

A large number of lawsuits that are brought across the nation do not involve millions or even thousands of dollars. Small claims courts were created to deal with claims that fall below an amount set by each state’s laws. The small claims courts are intended to provide an inexpensive and quick way for litigants to resolve their legal disputes. It often does not involve the complexities of rules of evidence. <\/p>\r\n

Some of the types of cases you can file in small claims court<\/a> are as follows:<\/p>\r\n