SMALLCLAIMShq
California small claims · 6 free tools live now

Someone owes you money.
Start by checking your case, free.

Six instant tools: whether your claim fits and the filing fee, how long you have to sue, which county to file in, a demand letter built from your own words, interest owed, and a court fee waiver check. Nothing you type into any of them ever leaves your browser. There's also a free Q&A assistant for general procedure questions.
Check my case, free, no account
Full filing, legal service, and collection help is coming soon. Not a law firm; free county advisors always linked.
Free
Eligibility & filing-fee check
Free
Court finder
Free
Demand letter generator
Free
Interest calculator
Free
Fee waiver checker
Free
Deadline calculator
All six calculators run entirely in your browser and are live today. Full filing, service, and collection help is in progress.
Available today

Free tools, live today. The rest is on the way.

Free now

Eligibility & filing fee

Enter what you're owed. See instantly whether it fits in California small claims court, what the clerk will charge to file it, and how long you have to sue.

Free now

Which county do I file in?

California's venue rules decide which county can hear your case. Answer what you know, we'll tell you which counties are valid and why.

Free now

Demand letter generator

A certified-mail-ready demand letter, built from your own words. Many disputes end here, before anyone sets foot in a courthouse.

Free now

Interest calculator

See exactly how much interest has accrued on what you're owed, using California's statutory rate, before you ask for it.

What's coming next

The full service we're building.
You'll still keep the decisions.

What we'll handle
Demand letter, sent certified with proof
Every court form, filled and checked (35 fields, zero guesswork)
Filing with your courthouse (e-file or exact walk-in steps)
Process server booked; proof of service filed
Deadlines counted, watched, and texted to you
Evidence packet + hearing practice run
What stays yours
Your story: the form uses your words, not legalese
The decisions: whether to send, sue, settle, or stop
The hearing: it's you and the judge; we make you the prepared one
The money: the judgment is yours
We prepare documents at your direction and explain the court's rules. We never tell you whether you'll win, nobody honestly can, and free county advisors are one tap away, always.

Want to know the moment it launches?

Leave your email, we'll send one message when the $179 filing service goes live. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
What's true today

Free tools you can trust, honest about what's not built yet.

Nothing you type leaves your browser

Both free tools run entirely on your device. Your numbers and dates are never sent to us or stored anywhere.

Process guarantee, coming with filing

Once filing help launches: if the clerk rejects a packet we prepared, our fee comes back. That's the plan, it isn't live yet.

A free advisor, always one tap away

Questions about strategy or whether to settle go to your free county Small Claims Advisor (CCP § 116.940), not to us.

Not a law firm, on purpose

These tools give general information based on California statutes, not legal advice about your specific situation. We never give legal advice.

Two numbers, no surprises.

The free tools are live today. The paid plan below is coming soon, priced now so there's no surprise later.
Free
Available now
Free eligibility check
Eligibility & filing-fee check
Statute-of-limitations estimate
No account required
$179
Coming soon
Prepare · file · serve plan
SC-100 and companion forms, filled & checked
Filed with your courthouse
Process server booked, proof filed
Frequently asked

Is SmallClaimsHQ free to use?

The eligibility and statute-of-limitations checker and all guides are completely free, no account required. A guided filing service ($179 flat fee) is planned but not live yet.

Is SmallClaimsHQ a law firm?

No. SmallClaimsHQ prepares documents at a user's direction and explains the court's own published rules. It does not give legal advice or represent anyone in court.

Is my information private when I use the free tools?

Yes. The eligibility and statute-of-limitations checker runs entirely in your browser, nothing you type is sent to or stored by SmallClaimsHQ.

When will the guided filing service launch?

It isn't live yet. The free eligibility checker and guides are available today; filing, service, and deadline-tracking help are still in development.