Legal Assistance: legal information and a practical guide to legal assistance. Most everyday disputes follow the same path: gather your documentation, calculate exactly what you are owed, send a formal demand letter with a deadline, and file in small claims court only if that is ignored. Small claims limits range from about $2,500 to $25,000 depending on the state, filing fees usually run $30 to $200, and cases are commonly heard within 30 to 60 days. Can you handle legal assistance yourself? In most situations, yes — the steps are straightforward once you know the deadlines and what evidence to keep. How much does it cost? A professional demand letter through PettyLawsuit is $29, and small claims filing fees (if you ever need them) typically run $30 to $200 and are often recoverable if you win. When you're ready, PettyLawsuit turns this into action: a professional demand letter sent by certified mail for $29, and — if it comes to that — the correct small claims forms for your state with step-by-step filing help. Most disputes settle once a formal demand letter arrives, so you may never see a courtroom.