Small Claims
What is small claims court?

    Small claims court is a special court where disputes are
    resolved quickly and inexpensively. The rules are simple
    and informal. The person who sues is the plaintiff. The
    person who is sued is the defendant. In small claims
    court, you may ask a lawyer for advice before you go to
    court, but you cannot have a lawyer in court. Your claim
    cannot be for more than $5,000 if you are a business or
    public entity or for more than $7,500 if you are a natural
    person (including a sole proprietor). (*See below for an
    exception.) If you have a claim for more than this
    amount, you may sue in the civil division of the trial
    court or you may sue in the small claims court and give
    up your right to the amount over the limit. You cannot,
    however, file more than two cases in small claims court
    for more than $2,500 each during a calendar year.
How can California Document Processors help me
with my small claims case?

    California Document Processors will fill out your initial
    paperwork based on your answers to a series of
    questions, and provide you with an original and two
    copies of the paperwork. You will receive instructions on
    how to proceed in small claims court. You need to have
    the other party served before you can proceed with the
    hearing. Again, we recommend that you utilize our
    Service of Process service for this task, however,
    anyone over the age of 18 who is not a party to the
    case can serve the defendant.

    As always, California Document Processors will be
    happy to help you with your paperwork when you are
    ready -- just click the "Start My Paperwork" link on this
    page and you're ready to go!
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week at (888) 883-9237
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We are not attorneys
and therefore cannot
render legal opinion or
give legal advice, we
cannot select legal
forms for you, advise
you about your legal
rights or the law, and
cannot represent you
in court.

Our self-help services
are designed to help
you navigate through
particular situation.

Any information
provided on our
website is designed to
be informational for
self-help users and is
not intended to be
substituted for legal
advice.

If you need legal
advice, please consult a
reputable attorney.
Contra Costa County Legal Document Assistant No. 85
Contra Costa County Registered Process Server No. 720 & 721
California Document
Processors
__________________________________

2063 Main Street, #429
Oakley, CA 94561
Ph/Fx: (888) 883-9237 (1-888-88EZCDP)