Check with the clerk or counselor to make certain your complaint comes within the jurisdiction of the court. If your complaint involves a substantial amount of money or if you are confused about how to proceed, consider consulting a private attorney. Even if you plan to present your own case to a small claims court, a few minutes spent with a lawyer beforehand can be valuable. If you want to talk to an attorney and do not think you can afford it, check with a local legal aid or legal services office. If you have never been to small claims court, attend a court session as a spectator.
Proceedings are open to the public.
Once you decide to go ahead, do not wait too long to file your complaint. There is often a limit on how long you can wait before taking legal action and the older a complaint gets, the harder it is to win. In some states, there will be a standard form for this purpose. In states without a standard form, ask the clerk or counselor for advice. Word your complaint or claim clearly and simply.