SmallClaimsHelper Resources

Small Claims Court Guides
& Filing Resources

Step-by-step guides for plaintiffs on filing claims, serving defendants, preparing evidence, and presenting your case — without an attorney.

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How to File a Small Claims Court Case: A Step-by-Step Guide

Most people who file small claims cases have never been to court before. This guide walks through every step — from determining if you have a valid claim to collecting your judgment.

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How to Collect a Small Claims Judgment in Colorado (2026)

Learn exactly how to collect a Colorado small claims judgment in 2026—wage garnishment, bank levies, and property liens explained with statute citations.

August 2026Read →

How to Collect a Small Claims Judgment in Florida (2026 Guide)

Learn how to collect a Florida small claims judgment in 2026 using wage garnishment, bank levy, property liens, and § 56.29 proceedings.

August 2026Read →

Iowa Small Claims Statute of Limitations 2026: Deadlines by Claim Type

Iowa small claims statute of limitations 2026: deadlines by claim type, Iowa Code § 614.1 citations, $6,500 cap, and $95 filing fee explained.

August 2026Read →

Florida Small Claims Court Limits in 2026: What Cases Qualify?

Florida small claims court has an $8,000 limit in 2026 under Fla. Stat. § 34.01. Learn what cases qualify and which court to use.

August 2026Read →

How to Appeal a Wisconsin Small Claims Judgment in 2026

Learn Wisconsin small claims appeal rules for 2026: 45/90-day deadlines, $195 fee, Court of Appeals process, and how to stop collection under Wis. Stat.

August 2026Read →

5 Wisconsin Small Claims Mistakes to Avoid in 2026

Wisconsin small claims court 2026: key mistakes to avoid in security deposit, unpaid wages, and contractor cases, with statute citations.

August 2026Read →

Illinois Small Claims Statute of Limitations: 2026 Deadlines

Illinois small claims statute of limitations 2026: 10 years (written contracts), 5 years (oral), 2 years (injury) — with statute citations.

July 2026Read →

Florida Small Claims Evidence Rules 2026: What to Bring to Court

Florida small claims evidence rules 2026: what to bring to court, key statutes, filing fees $55–$300, and the mandatory pretrial conference explained.

July 2026Read →

New York Small Claims Evidence Rules: What to Bring to Court in 2026

What to bring to New York small claims court in 2026: evidence rules under UCCA § 1804, document checklists, dollar limits, and witnesses explained.

July 2026Read →

Illinois Small Claims Evidence Rules 2026: What to Bring to Court

Illinois small claims evidence rules 2026: what to bring to court, Rule 286 informal hearings, texts, photos, and key statutes explained.

July 2026Read →

Michigan Small Claims Court Limits in 2026: What Cases Qualify

Michigan’s small claims cap is $7,000 under MCL 600.8401. Learn what cases qualify, filing fees, and what's barred.

July 2026Read →

Delaware Small Claims Appeal Rules in 2026: What You Must Know

Delaware small claims appeal rules 2026: 15-day deadline, $135 fee, de novo trial at Court of Common Pleas — key statutes and steps explained.

July 2026Read →

How to Defend Yourself If Sued in Illinois Small Claims Court (2026)

Learn how to defend yourself in Illinois small claims court in 2026 — covering summons deadlines, Rule 286(a), defenses, and judgment exemptions.

July 2026Read →

How to Collect on a Small Claims Judgment in Maine (2026)

Learn how to collect a Maine small claims judgment in 2026: disclosure hearings, wage garnishment caps, execution liens, and exempt property rules…

July 2026Read →
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Forms Hub

Small Claims Court Forms by State (2026)

Which small claims forms you need, what each one does, and where to download the official version for your state — free.

Updated July 2026Read →
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California · Forms

California Small Claims Court Forms: SC-100 & What Else You Need

California small claims forms explained — SC-100, the SC-104 proof-of-service series, claim limits, and where to get the official versions free.

July 2026Read →
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Texas · Forms

Texas Small Claims Forms: The Justice Court Petition & What You Need

What you file in a Texas Justice Court — the petition, citation and service, the fee-waiver form, and the $20,000 limit.

July 2026Read →
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Florida · Forms

Florida Small Claims Forms: Statement of Claim & What You Need

The Florida Statement of Claim (Forms 7.330–7.335), the Notice to Appear, service and default rules, and the $8,000 limit.

July 2026Read →
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New York · Forms

New York Small Claims Forms: How to File & What You Need

How to start a New York small claims case with the clerk, how the court serves the defendant, and the $10,000/$5,000/$3,000 limits.

July 2026Read →
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Illinois · Forms

Illinois Small Claims Forms: CS-C 702.1 Complaint & What You Need

Illinois' statewide forms — the CS-C 702.1 complaint, the CS-S 705.1 summons, the fee waiver, and the $10,000 limit.

July 2026Read →
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Pennsylvania · Forms

Pennsylvania Small Claims Forms: Magisterial District Court & What You Need

What you file before a Magisterial District Judge, why Philadelphia is a separate court with its own paperwork, and the $12,000 limit.

July 2026Read →
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North Dakota · Forms

North Dakota Small Claims Forms: The Claim Affidavit & What You Need

The Small Claims Claim Affidavit (Form 2), the fee-waiver petition, the appeal trade-off to weigh first, and the $15,000 limit.

July 2026Read →
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Vermont · Forms

Vermont Small Claims Forms: What You File & What It Costs

Vermont's statewide small claims complaint, the $65/$90 statutory filing fees, and why the limit is $10,000 and not the $5,000 you may have read.

July 2026Read →
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Hearing Prep

How to Prepare for Small Claims Court: Hearing Prep & What to Say

What to bring, how to organize your case, what to say to the judge, and the mistakes to avoid at your hearing.

July 2026Read →

California Small Claims Court 2026: Filing Fees & How to File

California small claims court 2026: filing fees ($30–$75), the $12,500 individual limit, service deadlines, and a step-by-step scenario walkthrough.

June 2026Read →

How to Serve Papers in Michigan Small Claims Court (2026)

Learn how Michigan small claims court service works in 2026: who serves papers, the 7-day rule, certified mail vs. personal delivery, and MCL 600.8404…

July 2026Read →

Tennessee Small Claims Appeal Rules in 2026: What You Must Know

Learn Tennessee small claims appeal rules for 2026: the 10-day deadline, bond requirements, and de novo Circuit Court re-trial under T.C.A. § 27-5-108.

June 2026Read →

Sued in New York Small Claims Court? 5 Mistakes to Avoid in 2026

Sued in New York small claims court in 2026? Learn 5 critical defendant mistakes — default judgments, counterclaims, and appeal rules under CCA § 1801.

June 2026Read →

New York Small Claims 2026: Security Deposits, Unpaid Wages & Contractor Disputes

2026 guide to New York small claims court for security deposits (GOL § 7-108), unpaid wages (NYLL § 198), and contractor disputes (GBL Article 36-A).

June 2026Read →

Michigan Small Claims Appeal Rules in 2026: 5 Costly Mistakes

Michigan small claims appeal rules 2026: 7-day deadline, magistrate vs. judge distinctions, MCL § 600.8427 explained for non-lawyers.

June 2026Read →

Wisconsin Small Claims Defense: Your 2026 Step-by-Step Guide

Defend yourself in Wisconsin small claims court in 2026: key deadlines, Wis. Stat. Ch. 799 rules, counterclaim tips, and how to vacate a default judgment.

June 2026Read →

How to Defend Yourself If Sued in Ohio Small Claims Court (2026)

Learn how to defend yourself in Ohio small claims court in 2026: deadlines, counterclaims, evidence rules, and appeal rights under O.R.C. § 1925.

June 2026Read →

California Small Claims Appeal Rules in 2026: What You Need to Know

California small claims appeal rules 2026: who can file, the 30-day deadline, $75 fee, de novo hearing, and automatic stay under CCP § 116.750.

May 2026Read →

New York Small Claims Statute of Limitations: 2026 Guide

New York small claims statute of limitations for 2026: key CPLR deadlines by claim type, the 2022 consumer credit change, and government notice rules.

May 2026Read →

How to File Small Claims in Boston: Courts, Fees & Forms

All eight Boston Municipal Court divisions with addresses, the $7,000 limit, the fee table from $40, and how to choose between the BMC, District Court and Housing Court.

August 2026Read →

Small Claims Court in Denver, Colorado: Fees, Limit & How to File

Denver County Court small claims: the $7,500 limit, the complete fee table by party type, where to file at 1437 Bannock St, and the county-line trap that catches Aurora and Lakewood cases.

August 2026Read →

Massachusetts Small Claims Court: 2026 Filing Fees & How to File

Massachusetts small claims court 2026: filing fees ($40–$50), the $7,000 limit, step-by-step filing guide, and the 2025 payment hearing rule.

May 2026Read →

Illinois Small Claims Appeal Rules: What to Do in 2026

Learn Illinois small claims appeal rules for 2026: the 30-day deadline under Rule 303, how to stop collection, and what the appellate court reviews.

April 2026Read →

How to Collect a Small Claims Judgment in Minnesota (2026)

Learn how to collect a Minnesota small claims judgment in 2026: docketing, wage garnishment, bank levies, and liens under Minn. Stat. §§ 548.09 and…

April 2026Read →

Sued in Missouri Small Claims Court? How to Defend Yourself in 2026

Sued in Missouri small claims court? Learn the 2026 defendant rules, key statutes (§ 482.305–482.365), deadlines, and how to fight back.

April 2026Read →
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Filing Guide

How to File a Small Claims Court Case: A Step-by-Step Guide

Everything you need to know to file, serve, and present a small claims case — from first filing to collecting your judgment.

March 2026 · 8 min readRead →
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Evidence

Evidence for Small Claims Court: What You Need & How to Present It

What evidence you need, what counts as admissible, and how to present, submit, and organize it for a judge — plus a printable checklist.

March 2026 · 6 min readRead →

Generate Your Small Claims Forms in Minutes

State-specific complaint forms, demand letters, and service documents — ready to file for $19.

Start My Claim — $19