Do you know every county has its own small claims court? To start your small claims case, you need to locate the right court to file. Follow the tips below to find the right place to file your small claims case in California. 🏛🗳👍
It's important to file your case in a proper small claims court because if you don't, the judge may dismiss your small claims case without prejudice unless all defendants are present in court and agree that the case may be heard at that time.
You will save yourself and the other party a lot of trouble and possible cost if you carefully choose the court in which you file your small claims claim.
Follow these easy-to-start steps below to find out where to file your small claims case in California. 👇👇👇
Step 1 - Determine Which Court to File In
When you file your case, you need to state on your claim form (Form SC-100) why the court in which you filed your claim is proper. In general, a small claims case must be filed in the county (and area of the court location) in which the other party lives or does business. However, there are some cases you have other options:
Cases related to car accidents or an injury
You can file your small claims case in the county where:
The other party lives, or
The accident/injury occurred
Cases related to a broken contract (verbal or written)
Cases related to an item you sold (you are the seller)
Cases related to an item you bought or the work you paid for (you are the buyer)
Step 2 - Write Down the Courthouse Address
Once you determine the proper court to file your small claims case, you need to find out the courthouse address because you will need it to put on your claim form (Form SC-100).
Use this search tool to look for the courthouse address: Courthouse Location
In large counties, the county is divided into areas of court location. In those counties, you should look for the proper area of court location within that county. If you have doubts, you can always contact FillMeForms 👋
Email us: contact@fillmeforms.com
Here you go! Now you should be able to locate the proper court to start filling out your small claims case.
What's next?
Check out our other posts on FillMeForms to get step-by-step instructions on filling out forms to start your small claims case 💪
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