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When do I need to serve, and by when?

Your hearing date sets a countdown running backward. Enter the hearing date your court gave you, we'll work out your serve-by and proof-of-service deadlines, and a calendar file you can save.

Serve & proof-of-service deadlines

Based on California's small claims service rules (Code Civ. Proc. §§ 116.340, 414.10).

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This tool applies California's general small claims service timing rules to the hearing date you enter. It doesn't check every exception (like substituted or mail service, which run on different clocks), and it doesn't set or predict your hearing date, only your own court does that. Your county's Small Claims Advisor (CCP § 116.940) can confirm the details for free. SmallClaimsHQ is not a law firm.
Frequently asked

How is my hearing date set?

The court clerk sets it when you file your claim, and prints it on your copy of the SC-100. This tool doesn't predict or assign a hearing date, you enter the one your court already gave you.

How many days before the hearing do I need to serve the defendant?

Generally at least 15 days before the hearing if the defendant lives or does business in the same county as the court, or 20 days if they're elsewhere (Code Civ. Proc. §§ 116.340, 414.10).

When is proof of service due?

Generally at least 5 days before the hearing, filed on the court's own proof-of-service form.

Is this calculator free and private?

Yes. It runs entirely in your browser, nothing you enter is sent to or stored by SmallClaimsHQ.