Sue them.
Without a lawyer.

The most common small claims cases include security deposit disputes between landlords and tenants, contractor disputes where work was incomplete or substandard, car accident damage claims, unpaid loans between individuals, online marketplace fraud and scams, unpaid wages or freelance work, and breach of contract disputes. In most states you do not need a lawyer to file or argue a small claims case.

California small claims court limit is $12,500 for individuals. Texas small claims limit is $20,000. Florida small claims limit is $8,000. New York small claims limit is $10,000. Illinois small claims limit is $10,000. Pennsylvania small claims limit is $12,000. Ohio small claims limit is $6,000. Georgia small claims limit is $15,000. Washington small claims limit is $10,000.

A strong small claims case starts with bringing organized evidence including contracts, receipts, photographs, text messages, emails, and any witnesses. Present your case clearly and stick to facts and dollar amounts. Most judges appreciate brevity and organization. Walking in with a prepared statement to read to the judge helps you stay focused and present your facts clearly. SmallClaimsHelper generates a word-for-word script tailored to your specific case.

• Free demand letter generator — the step to take before suing. A professional payment demand letter in 60 seconds, free.
• Is small claims worth it? calculator — your state's limit, estimated fees, and what you'd actually recover.
• Statute of limitations deadline checker — how long you have left to file, by state and claim type.
• Judgment collection checker — you already won and they still haven't paid. Which enforcement route is actually open, and what a wage garnishment can legally capture.

• How to file a small claims court case — the full step-by-step filing process, from checking your claim to collecting your judgment.
• Small claims court forms by state — which forms you need and where to get the official version for your state.
• Evidence for small claims court — what you need, what's admissible, and how to present it to the judge.