Small Claims Court

• Dollar limits differ by state, so check your state court website.
• Typical cases: unreturned deposits, unpaid small debts, property damage and bad repairs.
• You usually file in the county where the defendant lives or where the problem happened.
• Bring organized evidence: contracts, receipts, photos, texts and a written timeline.

Send a dated demand letter stating what you want and a deadline. Many disputes settle at this step, and the letter is useful evidence if they don't.

A judgment says you are owed money; collecting it may need extra steps such as wage garnishment, depending on state law.