Free Small Claims Eligibility & Deadline Checker

Eligibility & filing fee

Based on California's small claims limits (CCP § 116.221) and statewide filing fee schedule (Gov. Code § 70613).

Who's filing the claim

Individual Business

Amount you're claiming ($)

I've filed more than 12 small claims cases in California in the past 12 months This claim is over $2,500 and I've already filed two other claims over $2,500 this calendar year

How long do I have to sue?

A general estimate based on common California statutes of limitations. The right period depends on the specific facts of your case, treat this as a starting point, not a deadline to rely on alone.

What kind of claim is this

Date the issue happened (or the debt became due)

Ready to actually file? We'll draft your paperwork.

These two checks are free forever. When you're ready to file, we prepare your court forms, arrange service, track every deadline, and prep you for the hearing, reviewed and signed by a licensed document preparer, for $79.

Start my case — free to check →

This tool gives general information based on California statutes, not legal advice about your specific situation, and it doesn't check every exception that can apply. Your county's Small Claims Advisor (CCP § 116.940) will confirm the details for free before you file. SmallClaimsHQ is not a law firm.

Frequently asked

Is the eligibility checker really free?

Yes — no account, no charge, and it always will be.

Do you store what I type into the checker?

No. It runs entirely in your browser; nothing is sent to or saved by SmallClaimsHQ.

How accurate is the statute-of-limitations estimate?

It's a general estimate based on common California statutes, not a guarantee — some situations pause or extend the clock. Confirm with your county's free Small Claims Advisor before relying on it.

What's the small claims limit in California?

$12,500 for an individual plaintiff, $6,250 for a business (Code Civ. Proc. § 116.221).

Check your case before you file.