Small Claims Helpdesk (916)875-4187 or scefile@saccourt.com

• Introduction
   
• Basic Considerations and Questions
  • What Is Small Claims Court?
  • Is Small Claims Court Your Best Option?
  • Have You Tried to Settle the Dispute Yourself?
  • Have You Considered Mediation?
  • Where Can You Obtain More Information and Advice?
  • Who Can File or Defend a Claim?
  • Can Someone Else Represent You?
  • Can Your Spouse Represent You?
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• If You're the Plaintiff...Filing Your Lawsuit
  • Have You Asked for the Money or the Property?
  • How Much Money Does Your Dispute Involve?
  • Where Do You File Your Case?
  • How Quickly Must You File Your Case?
  • What Forms Do You File With the Court?
  • How Do You Name the Defendant?
  • How Do You Notify the Defendant?
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• Locating the Other Party
  • Directories
  • County Assessor's Office
  • Change of Address
  • Obtaining Post Office Box Records
  • Locating Sole Proprietorships and Partnerships
  • Locating Partnerships and Limited Liability Entities
  • Locating a Business Through the City Clerk's Office
  • Determining a Corporation's Directors and Agents for Service of Process
  • Department of Motor Vehicles Records
  • The Internet
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• If You're the Defendant...Responding to the Lawsuit
  • What Should You Do After You Receive an Order to Appear?
  • What If You Owe the Claim?
  • What If You Can't Resolve the Dispute Informally?
  • What If You Can't Attend the Hearing?
  • What If Service of Process Is Improper?
  • What If the Location or Venue of the Court Is Wrong?
  • What If the Plaintiff Owes You Money?
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• Plaintiffs and Defendants...Making the Best of Your Day in Court
  • Settling Your Case Before the Hearing
  • Gathering Your Documents
  • Arranging for Witnesses
  • Hearings Before Temporary Judges
  • Presenting Your Case or Defense
  • Asking for Your Court Costs
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• Plaintiffs and Defendants...The Judgment
  • Receiving the Judge's Decision
  • Judgment Against a Nonappearing Party
  • Setting Aside the Judgment
  • Having the Judgment Reviewed
  • The New Hearing
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• After the Judgment...Collecting or Satisfying the Judgment
  • Options for Judgment Debtors
  • Ways for Judgment Creditors to Collect the Judgment
  • Prohibited Debt Collection Practices
  • Once the Judgment Is Paid
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• Small Claims Court Checklist
  • Before the Hearing-For the Plaintiff
  • Before the Hearing-For the Defendant
  • After the Hearing-Plaintiff and Defendant
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• Glossary
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  • D - I
  • J - M
  • N - Q
  • R - S
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