California Small Claims Guides

Los Angeles downtown skyline representing LA County California small claims

How to File Small Claims in Los Angeles County:...

Lelia Fackler

LA County hears more small claims cases than 39 entire states. The hard part is figuring out which of the dozen LA courthouses your case belongs in, what to bring,...

How to File Small Claims in Los Angeles County:...

Lelia Fackler

LA County hears more small claims cases than 39 entire states. The hard part is figuring out which of the dozen LA courthouses your case belongs in, what to bring,...

White car with a scraped front bumper and damaged paint parked at a curb, the kind of damage you can sue for in small

Car Accident Small Claims Court California: Wha...

Lelia Fackler

California's small claims court limit is $12,500 for individuals and $6,250 for businesses. This guide covers what counts toward the cap, the exceptions to the rule, and what to do...

Car Accident Small Claims Court California: Wha...

Lelia Fackler

California's small claims court limit is $12,500 for individuals and $6,250 for businesses. This guide covers what counts toward the cap, the exceptions to the rule, and what to do...

Person walking up wide stone courthouse steps, taking the next step to appeal a small claims judgment

How to Appeal a Small Claims Court Decision in ...

Lelia Fackler

You have 30 days to appeal a California small claims decision, but only defendants can always appeal. Plaintiffs can only appeal a counterclaim loss, not their own claim loss. This...

How to Appeal a Small Claims Court Decision in ...

Lelia Fackler

You have 30 days to appeal a California small claims decision, but only defendants can always appeal. Plaintiffs can only appeal a counterclaim loss, not their own claim loss. This...

Unfinished construction site with rough plumbing on a concrete floor, illustrating contractor disputes that lead to small

Small Claims Court for Contractors: Getting Pai...

Lelia Fackler

Unpaid invoices are one of the most common cases in California small claims. This guide covers how contractors and freelancers get paid even without a written contract, plus when to...

Small Claims Court for Contractors: Getting Pai...

Lelia Fackler

Unpaid invoices are one of the most common cases in California small claims. This guide covers how contractors and freelancers get paid even without a written contract, plus when to...

Suing a Business in California Small Claims Court

Lelia Fackler

Suing a business in California small claims requires the exact registered legal name and the address of their agent for service of process. Get either wrong and the case dies....

Suing a Business in California Small Claims Court

Lelia Fackler

Suing a business in California small claims requires the exact registered legal name and the address of their agent for service of process. Get either wrong and the case dies....

Brown wallet stuffed with cash beside house keys and a phone representing collecting money on a California small claims

How to Collect Money After Winning Small Claims...

Lelia Fackler

Winning is the easy part. Getting paid is harder. California gives you wage garnishment, bank levies, and property liens to collect on a small claims judgment. The judgment lasts 10...

How to Collect Money After Winning Small Claims...

Lelia Fackler

Winning is the easy part. Getting paid is harder. California gives you wage garnishment, bank levies, and property liens to collect on a small claims judgment. The judgment lasts 10...