Legal & rightsPractical guide · updated for 2026
How to File a Small Claims Case Without a Lawyer
Small claims courts handle disputes under a set money limit, with simple forms and no lawyers in most cases. Start with a written demand, then file in the right court with the evidence organised.
Have this ready
- Your written demand and proof of sending
- Contracts, receipts and messages
- The defendant's correct legal name and address
Step by step
- 1Send a written demand with a deadline and keep proof you sent it.
- 2Check your local court's money limit and its rules, since these differ by state or country.
- 3Identify the correct defendant: a person's legal name or a company's registered name.
- 4File online or at the court clerk's office and pay the filing fee, which is often recoverable if you win.
- 5Prepare a one-page timeline with dates and attach the receipts, messages and photos behind it.
- 6Serve the defendant using the method the court allows and file proof of service.
- 7Prepare a short, factual account for the hearing and bring three copies of everything.
Want it done with you?
I can walk you through it in a Magic Box, show you the exact clicks, or do it with you and keep the recording. You log in yourself; I never see your password.
Common questions
Do I need a lawyer?+
In most small claims courts, no, and some do not allow one. Check your court's rules before the hearing.
What if the other side does not show up?+
You may still have to prove the case. Default judgments usually require evidence, not just their absence.
How do I collect if I win?+
A judgment is not automatic payment. Ask the court about enforcement options such as garnishment or a bank lien, which vary locally.