Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court

Win your small claims case!

You don’t need a lawyer to succeed in small claims court if you know how to present your own case. Properly preparing for your day in court can make the difference between receiving a check and writing one.

Everybody’s Guide to Small Claims Court provides the information, tips, and strategies you need to sue someone successfully or put up a winning defense in any state. Find out how to:

• file and serve papers
• mediate an out-of-court settlement
• prepare evidence to support your case
• decide how much to sue for
• line up persuasive witnesses
• present a winning case, and
• collect money when you win.

The 18th edition’s updated settlement section explains negotiation techniques you can use to settle your small claims case―or any other disagreement you might have―without going to court. You’ll also find the latest procedures for small claims courts in every state, sample letters, legal forms, a statute of limitations chart that will help you determine when you must file your case, and links to online resources.

USE THIS BOOK FOR:

• car repair disputes
• motor vehicle accident cases
• landlord-tenant issues
• small business disputes
• dog-related cases
• defamation issues
• and more.

Cara O'Neill is a bankruptcy attorney in Northern California and a legal editor with Nolo. She has been practicing law in California for over 20 years and is the coauthor of Nolo's How to File for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, and Nolo's Money Troubles and Credit Repair.