Improve your odds for success in virtually any court case!
Small claims court — no lawyers, juries, or complex legal standards — is designed for simplicity. Nonetheless, it can be quite stressful for plaintiffs who are anxious to be paid money that they are rightfully owed. Below, you will find five highly effective tips that should help to simplify the process:
1. Show the Defendant You Mean Business. Filing a small claims case allows you to avoid many expenses associated with civil court. Although bypassing the hassle and cost of court all together is clearly a superior option. Many times, communicating with the client clearly and firmly is enough to pressure them into making the payment that they owe you. Sending a well-written demand letter is an excellent way of achieving this.
2. Know the Monetary Limits for Small Claims. If taking the case to court is unavoidable, then understanding the rules of small claims is crucial. These guidelines can help you determine whether your case does indeed belong in small claims and not a superior court.
3. Take Company Record Keeping Seriously. Often, defendants claim that your services were not rendered as agreed upon beforehand. To better prevent this being a valid argument, keep meticulous company records– even a photographic record of your finished work, when possible.
4. Identify Potential Witnesses. Anyone who may be able to testify on your behalf should be issued a subpoena in order to ensure that they appear in court. Remember that witnesses must be relevant to the case in question. However, your brother coming in to say that you are an honest person won’t help much; a former employee who helped you renovate the defendant’s kitchen probably will.
5. Practice Proper Courtroom Etiquette. Keep a general air of seriousness, dress well, speak formally, don’t interrupt anyone, refer to relevant parties with their last name, and refer to the judge as “your honor.” This article from South University offers a more in-depth guide to court etiquette, for those interested.