What the SC-100 form asks for, where to file, and how long it typically takes to get a hearing date.
The letter California expects you to send first — a third of disputes end here, before court is ever involved.
You're not allowed to hand over the papers yourself. Here's who can, and the deadline that sinks the most cases.
What to bring, how a 10-minute hearing actually runs, and the mistakes that cost self-represented plaintiffs the most.
A judgment is a piece of paper, not a check. Here's what happens in the 30 days after — and the tools if they still don't pay.
California gives landlords 21 days to account for your deposit in writing. Here's what happens when they don't.
What counts as proof for a written agreement versus a handshake deal — and how long you have to sue.
When a fender-bender belongs in small claims — and when it's actually a personal injury case that doesn't.
A simplified civil court for resolving money disputes without a lawyer — up to $12,500 for an individual plaintiff, $6,250 for a business (Code Civ. Proc. § 116.221).
No — and in fact, attorneys generally cannot argue on a party's behalf at a California small claims hearing (Code Civ. Proc. § 116.530).
Filing fees run $30 to $100 depending on the claim amount and how many claims you've filed recently; a fee waiver is available for those who qualify.
Yes, all of them, no account required.