The small-claims court system allows individuals and business owners to resolve financial disputes quickly and inexpensively. The small claims court in Pasadena, California, is part of the Los Angeles Superior Court system. To file a claim against another party, you will need to satisfy a number of requirements and fill out the appropriate forms.
Instructions
file a small claims case in Pasadena
1. Make sure your case qualifies. The small claims court handles civil cases asking for $7,500 or less. If you are a corporation or business that is not a sole proprietorship, you can sue for only $5,000. No lawyers and no juries are allowed. You must be at least 18 years old. You can sue either as an individual or a business and you can sue another individual or business. The statute of limitations typically runs two or three years, depending on the nature of the case. The rules are complex for this, so if you're not sure, file your case and let the judge decide.
2. File your case. You can file a small claims case online, by fax or in person at the Pasadena Courthouse at 300 East Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91101. If you file online, fill out a questionnaire that automatically fills out the proper form you need to file. If you elect to file in person or by fax, the standard form for a plaintiff to file a case is SC-100 (Plaintiff's Claim and Order to Go to Small Claims Court). The form is available for download at the California Courts website (under Resources).
3. Pay the necessary fees. You can pay the filing fee either online or in person. A schedule of the most current fees is available on the Los Angeles Superior Court website (under Resources).
4. Notify the defendant about your claim. Once you get your court date, you must complete "service of process," the act of giving a legal copy of the claim to the defendant. This must be done at least 15 days before the court date if the defendant lives in Los Angeles County and at least 20 days if the defendant lives outside the county. You cannot serve the papers yourself. Any other adult, or a professional process server, can serve the papers in person. You can serve the papers via certified mail through the court's clerk, but the clerk must receive a return receipt signed by person who received the certified mail. If the defendant does not sign, he can take the position that he never received the claim.
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