Ralph Warner & Editors of Nolo 
Everybody’s Guide to Small Claims Court 

Win your small claims case!



You don’t need a lawyer to win in small claims court. You need to know how to prepare and present your own case. Smart preparation for your day in court can make the difference between receiving a check and writing one. Everybody’s Guide to Small Claims Court provides the information, tips, and strategies you need to sue someone successfully or put up a winning defense in any state. Find out how to: file and serve papers mediate an out-of-court settlement prepare evidence to support your case decide how much to sue for line up persuasive witnesses present a winning case, and collect money when you win. This edition is completely updated to include the latest procedures and information for small claims courts in every state. Plus, this book includes useful, practical tips by small claims court judges and commissioners who’ve seen it all. If you are a California resident, check out Everybody’s Guide to Small Claims Court in California.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. In the Beginning

2. Do You Have a Good Case?

3. Can You Collect Your Money If You Win?

4. How Much Should You Sue For?

5. When Should You Sue?

6. Settling Your Dispute

7. Who Can Sue?

8. Suing Different Kinds of Defendants

9. Where Can You Sue?

10. Filing Fees, Court Papers, and Court Dates

11. Serving Your Papers

12. The Defendant’s Options

13. Getting Ready for Court

14. Witnesses

15. Your Day in Court

16. Motor Vehicle Repair Cases

17. Motor Vehicle Purchase Cases

18. Bad Debts: Initiating and Defending Cases

19. Vehicle Accident Cases

20. Landlord-Tenant Cases

21. Miscellaneous Cases

22. Disputes Between Small Businesses

23. Judgment and Appeal

24. Collecting Your Money

25. Legal Research

Appendix: Small Claims Court Rules for the 50 States (and the District of Columbia)

Index

Über den Autor

All Nolo legal editors specialize in certain areas of the law, and many are recognized as national experts in their field. They write books, edit books by outside authors, and in their spare time write online articles and blogs, develop legal forms, and create the legal content of Nolo software.