Customer Reviews

Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As Small Claims Legal Advisor for the Superior Court, County of San Francisco, for nearly 19 years, I recommend this book to anyone who needs nationwide information on small claims court. Why research each state individually when you can have it in one book?

Jeanne F. Stott

We are owners of a small business and recently we lost our bookkeeper/receptionist after 10 years. I have had to take over collections. This book was of great help to someone who has never gone to court. The book covers both sides of a court claim. This gives you a feel of possible ways the defendant will react and how they might present evidence. I also have had to go to Debtor's Court and the book explained all the rights and thing I should ask for inorder to get the money that is owed to our busines. It covers general information for all state on laws on how long to have to refile etc. Great book for any small business owners who have to deal with the small claims court systems. Five Stars for great reference book to have in your office!!!!!!

This book has information on how to prepare your case, win in court and collect your money. You can learn how to determine the damages, mediate the settlement, write a demand letter, file and serve papers, prepare for court and collect your money when you win. A big plus, this book includes information for all 50 States. For 24-hour access to straightforward legal solutions check out www.nolo.com. The author, Ralph Warner, helped found Nolo in 1971, and is one of the recognized pioneers of the self-help law movement.

Keep in mind that on some smaller cases you have no choice but to work the case without a lawyer since the amount of money involved may not be enough to cover the expense of an attorney. This book will be a lifesaver.

Written by Attorney Ralph Warner, Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court is the updated eleventh edition of an absolutely indispensable guide for anyone involved as a plaintiff or defendant in a small claims court case. Chapters walk the reader through how to write a demand letter, file and serve papers, prepare evidence, secure appropriate witnesses, figure out damages, mediate a settlement, collect money after winning a case, and much more. Written expressly for lay readers, Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court is as straightforward and easy-to-understand as a legal guide can be, and the eleventh edition now includes the most current procedures in the small claims courts in all states and Washington D.C., as well as practical advice from judges who have seen everything. An absolute "must-have" legal reference, particularly for home and business owners.

This is a very good book that covers all the essential elements required for small claims court. In keeping with NOLO's easy to understand guidance, this is user-friendly yet comprehensive enough to walk anyone through the entire process. Learn how to prepare, what you will need and how to complete many of the most common forms.

Unfortunately, NOLO decided not to include a cd or forms or templates. Since this is a routine part of many current offerings and would dramaticaly enhance the usability of this book, I'm really not sure why. Undoubtedly there may be changes and updates needed but again...that is true of many other legal related books published by NOLO. I've docked one star for the lack of cd/additional resources...otherwise, an excellent resource perfect for small business owners, landlords and others that may need basic advice on small claims court.

The only problem is that it is written for California. The laws are somewhat different in other states. But the book gives you a lot of information on what to do and how to win your case in court. The section on what not to is worth the price of admission

Laws differ from state to state, but the principle of going to small claims court is fairly universal. You'll still need to go to your state court's website, or use some other resource to find out limits, get the right forms, and file them correctly, but this book will prepare you in other ways.

Frankly, I'd recommend reading most of this book even if you're not going to small claims court. It can help you start thinking along the right ways whether you're going to small claims court, mediation, arbitration, regular court, or even some TV court show like The People's Court or Judge Judy.

This book even covers what to do after you win. How do you actually collect your judgement. (That's something that too many people don't even consider! The court doesn't just hand you your winnings. You have to collect them yourself!)

There is lots of good stuff in here for people who are finding themselves being sued, too. The book will help you determine how to develop your defense. It also even covers how you can move for dismissal if, for example, you're being sued in the wrong court.

Even if you're not being sued, or considering sueing someone, much of what's covered is stuff that is good to have in the back of your mind when you start entering into contracts that might not turn out as planned.

Unless you've got a law degree, I would say this book ought to be on your "must read" list. It's just that important.

Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court lives up to its title. It's clearly written, well organized, thorough, practical, and full of examples. In addition to attorney/author Ralph Warner's expertise, you benefit from tips (offset from the main text) provided by two small claims court judges. The book guides you step by step, from the beginning of the process (deciding whether to sue, for how much, and whether you can collect) to the end (judgments, appeals, and collecting your money). The author tells you which issues vary from state to state and how to research them, throughout the book, in a final chapter on legal research, and in an appendix containing an overview of small claims court rules for each state in the US. In addition to laws and court procedures, you learn how to present yourself professionally (don't flame the opposite side before you get into court, let alone in court; don't imitate an attorney on TV; and be polite to the judge, clerk, and bailiff). Separate chapters give details specific to common small claims cases such as motor vehicle repair, motor vehicle purchase, vehicle accidents, bad debts, landlord-tenant disputes, and small business disputes. Although theoretically you can just go to small claims court and present your case with hardly any preparation, I'd say you're much more likely to win if you follow the instructions in this book.

This book is the 13th edition and the 30th year anniversary publication. What more can be said? This book probably launched the entire Nolo book company.

I had an edition from 25 years ago, and this edition is clearer still and livelier writing. Covers all the essentials, has many of the cautions involved. I recommend you use this book together with some minor legal consultations.

Best book of its type.

However, very weak on statue of limitations and service process. Mess these up, and there goes your lawsuit. Book talks about filing lawsuit on time; however, must also serve on time too.

Almost by definition one won't use an attorney to pursue a typical matter in small claims court. In a typical small claim matter, the amount probably cannot justify incurring attorney costs. This book can be used as a comprehensive guide although it's still necessary to check the most updated state laws.

Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court explains the entire process of small claims litigation. States differ in terms of claim limits in this court as well as how to properly serve an individual, business or governmental agency. There are also restrictions on who can be sued within one's state.

This book also has chapters on specific types of small claims disputes, including bad debts, vehicle repair/purchase/accident, landlord-tenant and several other categories. I found the section of rental security deposits to be very interesting. Tenants don't always get security deposits back due to not knowing the laws described in this book, and small business landlords do not necessarily know how to recover damages beyond deposit amounts.

The confidence one gains by knowing what to do to ultimately collect on a small claim makes reading this book worthwhile. Knowledge of how the system works helps in handling one's affairs responsibly and confidently.