Small claims court
The part of a state's court that hears money disputes up to a set dollar limit, with simple rules.
Small claims is a division of a state court set up for people to use without help. The forms are short, the hearing is usually under half an hour, and the judge asks the questions rather than waiting for you to.
Each state sets its own dollar limit, its own filing fee, and its own deadlines. That is why every number on this site is tied to a section of that state's code and a date it was checked.
Related words
Common questions
- What does small claims court mean in small claims court?
- The part of a state's court that hears money disputes up to a set dollar limit, with simple rules. Small claims is a division of a state court set up for people to use without help. The forms are short, the hearing is usually under half an hour, and the judge asks the questions rather than waiting for you to.
- What does claim mean in small claims court?
- The form that starts the case: who you are, who owes you, how much, and why. The claim form is short on purpose. It asks for the amount, a plain description of what happened, and the dates. You sign it, hand it in, and pay the filing fee.
- What does filing fee mean in small claims court?
- What the court charges to open the case, usually set by the size of the claim. The fee is paid when you hand the claim in. Most states set it in bands, so a small claim costs less to file than a large one; a few leave it to each court.
- What does hearing mean in small claims court?
- The short session where both sides tell the judge what happened and hand over their evidence. Most small claims hearings run fifteen to thirty minutes. The judge has read the claim, asks questions, looks at what each side brought, and often decides that day.
Verified on 2026-09-06, sources:
Verified on 2026-09-06, sources:
FairSquare assembles documents and explains your court's rules. It is not a substitute for advice about your situation.