Customer Reviews

Barron's Legal-Ease Small Claims Court Step by Step (NY, NJ and CT, with forms)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The book is certainly helpful for people who want a quick once-over of the procedures in Small Claims part of the New York City's Civil Court. But don't count on this work to be of much help in the details of pursuing a case. Dr. Rothstein is not a lawyer, and it shows. He is also not a professional writer, and that shows too. The index is frustrating. Example: I tried to find out about information subpoenas -- very useful tools if you're trying to collect on a judgement -- and indeed, there is some material on it. The index for this subject will point you to pages 7, 39, and 43-44, but the most useful information is found on pages 78-79. Moreover, Dr. Rothstein's information is nowhere near as accurate or complete as that found in a professional law book. For that, I rely on "New York Practice," by David D. Siegel. No, you definitely don't have to be a lawyer to understand Siegel. You just have to be someone who needs a legal explanation for what, after all, are legal procedures. Now I found a funny thing about the way the author of the present book, Dr. Rothstein, has, or rather has not used the work by Siegel. Dr. Rothstein lists the Siegel book as one of his references, and tells us to go to chapter 21 in Siegel, which, he says, is entitled "Small Claims." Well, there is no chapter 21 in the edition of Siegel that Rothstein cites. Instead there is a Section 21 in which "Small Claims" is mentioned in passing. The parts of Siegel that help in actual preparation of Small Claims cases are scattered throughout the book. I cannot believe that Dr. Rothstein ever cracked the Siegel book. He should have ! Conclusion: start with the Rothstein book -- it'll get you into the thing. Then check the fine points in SIegel.

Dr. Rothstein's book is informative and like a cliff's notes for the small claims court process. If you need a quick reference to help yourself prepare for court this book will do just fine. After seeing Dr. Rothstein, an orthodontist, sue a patient today on The People's Court it is clear that he came unprepared. He spent time looking through his contract while in front of Judge Milian because he didn't even know what was in it. He won, but it certainly wasn't due to preparation for court. Good thing he has a good itemization of charges in his patient contract or he'd be out of luck!

After continual phone calls and sending duplicate bills, my client did not answer or respond to the long overdue debt. Like all my billings for professional work completed, payment was due upon receipt of the completed appraisal......After calls to my client's attorney that brought no results, I decided for the first time in my business career to use the small claims court. In view of my ignorance as to the procedure to follow, I proceeded to investigate books available on the subject.

The book Barron's Legal-Ease Small Claims Court Step by Step, appealed to me because I could understand it....it was written in layman's language. It took all the mystery out of the process. The bottom line is Dr. Rothstein's book made me a winner as I received the 2,800 dollars due. A wonderful book for every business person. Babette Cohen Appraisals

I never expected to find myself in need of suing another person, but when the local shoe repair man lost an expensive pair of boots of mine and then claimed I had retrieved them (I still had my claim ticket)and refused to compensate me for loosing my boots, I hit the ceiling. Being clueless as how to sue, I chose Dr. Rothstein's book after reviewing all others. It is written in clear, "lay man's" language that I could readily understand. It clearly laid out in detail how to go about getting forms, filling them out and filing them. I was very impressed and grateful, with the chapter on the various scenarios I might encounter after filing my claim. All other books were sparse in explaining what steps one must use (forms and how to complete them) to collect the money, if so judged. The book is rich in details, and there is is even a section on frivoulous counterclaims which assured me I had little to worry about. A big hand to the authors for making an often vexing and stressful encounter, much easier and more lucrative to take!

I especially liked this book because it was easy to read and helped me to get me a judgement for $600. I'm glad I found a book that wasn't general and really specific to all the tips and tricks needed to get your dough!!!

I have looked far and wide to find a book like Dr. Ted Rothsteins, "Small Claims". His is the best, most complete and easy to understand of any book I have read on the subject. It is not theoretical, it's hands-on. He was there, he did all of the things explained in great detail in his book. He has included an enormous amount of detailed information that took a lot of time and effort for the author to accumulate so the reader will not have to. It's an excellent "road map" to successful small claims litigation.

Ignore my rating because I did not read the book, I thought a fair rating wouldn't tip the scales too much. In any case, I came to check it out because of the writer (Rothstein) appearing on People's Court. He did win in spite of himself and lack of preparation. What an odd character he is with the bowtie and mannerisms!

I'm a freelance writer who got ripped off by a magazine and wanted to sue everyone in sight but wasn't sure how to go about it. Dr. Rothstein's book explained clearly and simply what my choices were and how I could get the money I was owed. Rothstein's clear writing made the process of preparing for court much less intimidating. Now all I have to worry about is whether I win or not.

I highly recommend Dr. Ted Rothstein's book, "Small Claims Court - Step-by-Step". This book is very well organized and complete. The common sense approach to such legal matters builds confidence. Don't consider small claims court without it!

Dr. Rothstein's book is easy to read and easy to use. It provides all the forms you need, and the step-by-step instructions are very clear and simple to follow. You learn not only how to sue, but also how to collect. I have used it twice, and won both cases! This is a book you go to for results, not just for theory. It helped me to recover money I would probably have lost. It's worth every penny I paid for it,and much more.