About CA Small Claims

CA Small Claims exists to help self-represented litigants (also called "pro se" litigants) navigate the California small claims court system. Filing a court case can be overwhelming, especially if you have never done it before. Our goal is to make the process easier by providing guided, step-by-step assistance filling out official California court forms.

We believe that access to justice should not depend on whether you can afford an attorney. Small claims court was designed to be accessible to everyone, and our tools help make that promise a reality.

Small claims court is a special division of California Superior Court designed to resolve disputes involving limited amounts of money. Key facts:

• Individuals can sue for up to $10,000; businesses can sue for up to $5,000.
• Attorneys are generally not allowed to represent parties in small claims court.
• The process is designed to be simple and informal, with relaxed rules of evidence.
• Cases are typically heard within 30 to 70 days after filing.
• Filing fees range from approximately $30 to $75, depending on the claim amount. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify.

This application is designed for:

• Plaintiffs filing a new small claims case
• Defendants who need to respond to a claim filed against them
• Anyone who needs to fill out California court forms related to small claims, judgments, enforcement, appeals, or service of process
• Self-help center staff and legal aid organizations assisting pro se litigants

Your privacy matters. Here is how we protect your information:

• No account required. You can start filling out forms immediately using anonymous sessions.
• Anonymous sessions expire in 72 hours. If you do not create an account, your data is automatically deleted after 72 hours.
• Optional accounts. If you create an account, your submissions are saved permanently so you can return to them at any time.
• No selling of data. We do not sell, share, or monetize your personal information.
• Encrypted connections. All data is transmitted over HTTPS.

CA Small Claims is an open source project. The code is publicly available for review, audit, and contribution. We believe transparency builds trust, especially when handling sensitive legal information.