Los Angeles County Small Claims Court

What you can sue for in Los Angeles County

Small claims court in California is built for money disputes, not for forcing someone to do something. Typical Los Angeles County cases involve an unpaid loan between individuals, a contractor who took a deposit and never finished, a landlord withholding a security deposit, a retail purchase or repair that failed, a fender bender within the state limit, or wages owed for work performed.

California small claims court is a division of the Superior Court and offers one of the most generous jurisdictional limits in the nation. Individuals may sue for up to $12,500, while businesses, corporations, and other organizational entities are capped at $6,250. This makes California's small claims court a powerful tool for resolving significant monetary disputes without the expense and complexity of formal litigation. Filing fees are tiered based on the claim amount: $30 for claims under $1,500, $50 for claims between $1,501 and $5,000, and $75 for claims between $5,001 and $12,500. These fees are recoverable as court costs if you prevail. California also allows plaintiffs to file multiple small claims cases, though there is a limit of two cases per year exceeding $2,500. Attorneys are not permitted to represent parties in California small claims court. Both individuals and businesses must appear on their own behalf, though they may seek legal advice before filing. The informal proceedings allow the judge to question witnesses directly and are not bound by the formal rules of evidence. Cases are filed in the Superior Court of the county where the defendant lives, works, or where the dispute occurred. The court issues a Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Defendant (Form SC-100), which must be served on the defendant at least 15 days before the hearing. California small claims court is widely used for unpaid debts, security deposit disputes, auto property damage, contractor disputes, and breach of contract.

Claims above the $12,500 (individuals) / $6,250 (businesses) limit do not disappear: plaintiffs often waive the excess to keep the case in small claims, where filing is cheaper and hearings are informal. You cannot split one dispute into several small claims filings to get around the cap. For a side-by-side view of every state, see our small claims limits by state.

After you win: turning a judgment into money

A judgment from Stanley Mosk Courthouse does not make the defendant pay. Most people who collect in Los Angeles County do it through a wage garnishment, a bank levy, or a lien recorded against property, and each of those tools needs the debtor's employer, bank, or address on the paperwork. A demand letter sent before you file, or a skip trace after you win, is often what makes collection possible.

Where these get filed: Stanley Mosk Courthouse. File the completed Plaintiff’s Claim with the clerk at the courthouse listed above and pay the filing fee, or submit a fee waiver request with it. California lets you file in the county where the defendant lives or where the contract was signed or performed.

Need Los Angeles County forms prepared and filed for you?

We complete the California forms for your claim, file them with the clerk, and arrange service on the defendant.