Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court

by Ralph E. Warner

The dry cleaner ruined your good flannel suit. Your roof leaks every time it rains and the contractor won’t call you back. Or you left the apartment in immaculate condition and the landlord won’t give you back your deposit. Go after the money that’s owed you — represent yourself in Small Claims Court and win! Proper preparation of your small claims court case can make the difference between receiving a check and writing one. Attorney Ralph Warner gives you the step-by-step instructions and information you need to bring or defend a case with maximum success. From preparing evidence and lining up persuasive witnesses to making a presentation in court, you'll learn how • decide if you have a good case
• determine how much to sue for
• write your demand letter
• mediate a settlement before it goes to court
• file & serve papers
• prepare & present a winning case Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court gives you down-to-earth examples of common cases, * auto repair
* rental deposit
* auto warranty
* property damage
* small business disputes

Genres: Law, Reference, Nonfiction

349 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 1978

About the author

Ralph "Jake" Warner, co-founder of Nolo in 1971, was a trailblazer in the do-it-yourself law movement. He helped make legal guidance widely accessible through books, software, and online resources. A prolific author and editor, Warner wrote titles like Retire Happy and Save Your Small Business. He earned his law degree from Boalt Hall at UC Berkeley and his undergraduate degree in history from Princeton.

Reviews

[GoldGato · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one reference-type book that was extremely helpful. I read it from cover-to-cover so that I was able to use the knowledge provided to win my case (woohoo). When a former landlord refused to refund my rental deposit, I took action. Thanks to this book, I came prepared and won my case.

One of the early chapters is entitled, Do You Have A Case?, which may be the most important section to read. That's because one just doesn't waltz into Small Claims Court. One has to file, get a date, fill out paperwork, pay fees, and so on, so it's a pain-in-the-buttocks just to get going. Therefore, better make sure you have a case. Conversely, if someone applies against you, it's a great chapter to review to see what their case could possibly be and how to defend against it.

The book is outlined quite well, so that you can jump to the Table of Contents and go right to the info you need. Real-life examples are used as are courtroom conversations, so you don't feel overwhelmed when your day arrives. The later chapters deal with how to get your money, which is the hardest task to do once you win your case. This is why most folks don't go through the rigamarole, feeling they can never get their money. But the tips here are worth the read and certainly set me on the right path.

This edition is from the 1990s but it still appears to be relevant today.

Book Season = Year Round (even the peasants have rights)

[Lime Street Labrador · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice brief overview with some tips for newbies

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations and examples are funny.

[Jeff Kessler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good advice, with tips and tricks for everything. We'll see how well it helps in court.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok

I felt this book covered a lot of examples but didn't really give me good examples relating to my case