Small claims court is designed for regular people to use without a lawyer, for disputes under a dollar limit that varies by state (often a few thousand to ten thousand dollars).

The basic steps: send a written demand first, file a short form at the right courthouse and pay a small fee, arrange for the other side to be officially served, then show up on your date with your evidence organized — contracts, photos, texts, receipts.

Judges appreciate a calm, chronological story backed by documents. If you win, you get a judgment — though actually collecting it can be a separate effort.

This is general legal information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws vary by state. For your specific situation, talk to a licensed attorney in your state.