Better alternatives to small claims court
December 15, 2024
Small claims court seems like the obvious choice. It's not always the best one.
The small claims process
File paperwork. Pay filing fees ($30 to $100). Serve the defendant. Wait months for a court date. Take time off work. Present your case to a judge in 10 minutes. Hope you win. Then try to collect.
Why it's not ideal
Three to six months from filing to hearing. You might lose even if you're right. Judges are overworked and rushed. Collecting a judgment is your problem. The court doesn't help. Many defendants just ignore it.
When small claims makes sense
The other party won't engage. You've tried everything else. The amount is worth months of waiting. You're confident in your evidence. You can take time off work.
Better alternatives
Online dispute resolution. Both parties participate. Neutral analysis of evidence. Most cases resolve in under a week. Optional binding agreements. Much faster than court. Much cheaper than lawyers.
Try this first
Get a free second opinion on your dispute. Invite the other party to participate. If they engage, you'll likely resolve it faster than small claims. If they don't, you can still file in court with better understanding of your case.