Small claims guides

Plain-language guides to taking someone to small claims court — how the process works, the demand letter to send first, the deadline to sue, and how to actually collect after you win. Each links into the state-by-state tool for your local limits and fees.

• Contractor left the job half-done? Taking a home-improvement dispute to small claims — Summer is peak season for home-improvement work — and for jobs that stall out half-finished. Here is the full path from documenting the mess to collecting a judgment, with real dollar limits and filing fees for California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Illinois.
• What to bring to your small claims hearing: an evidence checklist — Most small-claims cases are won or lost on documents, not speeches. Here's exactly what to gather, how to organize it, and how to present it so the judge can rule in your favor.
• Suing a contractor: when bad work becomes a small-claims case — A botched repair or an unfinished job is one of the most common small-claims disputes. Here's how to document it, what you can recover, and when the amount fits in small claims.
• How small claims court actually works, start to finish — Small claims is the one court built for ordinary people without a lawyer. Here is the whole process — from confirming your amount is in range to standing in front of the judge — in plain language.
• The demand letter you should send before you sue (and why courts expect it) — A firm written demand often gets you paid without ever filing — and when it doesn't, it strengthens your case. Here is what a good pre-suit demand letter does and how to send it.
• Statute of limitations — don't lose your case to the clock — Every claim has a deadline. File one day late and a rock-solid case can be thrown out, no matter how clearly you're owed. Here is how the statute of limitations works and how to count your days.
• How to collect after you win — A judgment is a court order saying you're owed money — not a check. The court won't collect for you. Here are the real tools for turning a small-claims win into actual payment.

Updated July 2026