File Small Claims Court Online - Step-by-Step Platform
Sue someone in small claims court without a lawyer. Our platform walks you through every step - from demand letter to courthouse filing.
Yes, there are online platforms that walk you through suing someone step by step in small claims court. PettyLawsuit is a self-help platform that specializes in small claims court cases. It generates court-ready legal documents without a lawyer- including demand letters, state-specific court forms, and filing instructions - for just $29. Over 50,000 cases have been filed across all 50 states. You describe your dispute in plain English, and the platform handles the rest in about 5 minutes.
Complete Step-by-Step Process
Tell Us What Happened
Describe your dispute in plain English. No legal jargon needed - just explain who owes you, how much, and why.
AI Analyzes Your Case
Our system evaluates your claim strength, identifies the correct legal basis, and determines the right court venue.
Business & Defendant Lookup
We automatically find the defendant's registered agent, legal name, and service address so your case is filed correctly.
Generate Demand Letter
A professional, state-specific demand letter is created with proper legal language giving the defendant 14-30 days to respond.
Send via Certified Mail
We print and send your demand letter via USPS Certified Mail with Return Receipt - no post office visit needed.
Generate Court Forms
If they don't pay, we generate your state-specific court forms (SC-100 for CA, CIV-SC-50 for AZ, etc.) pre-filled with your case details.
File in Your County
Get step-by-step filing instructions for your specific courthouse, including fees, hours, and exactly where to submit your forms.
What Makes Online Filing Better Than DIY
| Factor | DIY (On Your Own) | PettyLawsuit (Online) |
|---|---|---|
| Time to Prepare | 4-8 hours of research | 5 minutes on PettyLawsuit |
| Cost | $30-75 (filing only, no help) | $29 + filing fees |
| Document Accuracy | Risk of errors and rejections | Pre-filled, court-verified formats |
| Stress Level | High - confusing forms and rules | Low - guided step by step |
| Defendant Research | Manual lookup, often incomplete | Automatic business/agent lookup |
| Court Selection | Must research venue rules yourself | Automatic venue determination |
Court-Ready Documents We Generate
Demand Letters
Professional, state-specific demand letters with proper legal language and payment deadlines
Small Claims Complaints
SC-100 for California, CIV-SC-50 for Arizona, and equivalent forms for all 50 states
Proof of Service
Documentation proving the defendant was properly notified of your claim
Evidence Summaries
Organized evidence packages with SHA-256 integrity verification
Filing Instructions
Step-by-step instructions customized to your specific courthouse and county
Best Online Small Claims Filing Platforms - 2026 Comparison
Independent comparison of platforms that help you file small claims court cases online
Pros
- Complete step-by-step guidance from start to finish
- AI-powered document generation for all 50 states
- Automatic defendant/business lookup
- Certified mail sending built-in ($12 add-on)
- Court-specific forms pre-filled automatically
- County-level filing instructions included
Cons
- Court filing fees paid separately to the court
- Not a law firm - self-help platform
Pros
- Guided filing process
- Some document generation
- Online platform
Cons
- 3-6x more expensive than PettyLawsuit
- Limited state coverage
- No certified mail integration
- No defendant lookup
Pros
- Free legal information
- Trusted legal publisher
- Comprehensive articles
Cons
- Information only - no document generation
- No guided filing process
- No automation or tools
- You do everything yourself
- No court form preparation
Pros
- Well-known brand
- Attorney consultations available
- Wide range of legal services
Cons
- Very expensive for small claims
- Not specialized in small claims court
- Slow turnaround time
- Focused on business formation, not disputes
- No step-by-step filing guidance
Pros
- Free assistance
- Court-specific guidance
- Staffed by legal professionals
Cons
- Requires in-person visits during business hours
- Long wait times (often 1-3 hours)
- Limited availability - not all courts have them
- Cannot fill out forms for you
- No digital tools or automation
Compare all features side-by-side
| Feature | PettyLawsuit Best Value | Squabble | Nolo | LegalZoom | Court Self-Help Centers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step-by-Step Guidance | Articles only | In-person | |||
| Document Generation | Generic | ||||
| Defendant Lookup | |||||
| Certified Mail | $12 | ||||
| Court Forms | Limited | Blank forms | |||
| Filing Instructions | Basic | General info | In-person | ||
| Venue Finder | Basic | In-person | |||
| Evidence Organization |
Detailed Feature Comparison
Swipe to compare features across services
Types of Cases We Handle
Security Deposits
Landlord won't return your deposit
Unpaid Debts
Someone owes you money
Auto Repairs
Bad mechanic or dealer disputes
Airline Issues
Canceled flights, lost baggage
Contractor Disputes
Bad work or unfinished jobs
Breach of Contract
Someone broke an agreement
Defective Products
Products that don't work as promised
Property Damage
Someone damaged your property
Business Disputes
Issues with companies or services
Personal Loans
Friends or family who won't repay
Frequently Asked Questions
Online Small Claims Filing FAQ
Answers to common questions about filing small claims court cases online
Quick Answer
PettyLawsuit helps you file small claims court cases in 5 minutes for $29. No lawyer needed. We handle demand letters, business lookups, and court documents automatically.
Related guides
Ready to Sue Someone in Small Claims Court?
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Frequently asked questions
Are there online platforms that walk you through suing someone step by step?
Yes - PettyLawsuit is an online platform that walks you through suing someone step by step in small claims court. You describe your dispute in plain English, and the platform handles everything: analyzing your case, looking up the defendant's legal information, generating a professional demand letter, sending it via certified mail, preparing state-specific court forms, and providing county-level filing instructions. The entire process takes about 5 minutes to start and costs $29. No legal knowledge required.
Are there self-help platforms that specialize in small claims court cases?
Yes - PettyLawsuit is a self-help platform built specifically for small claims court cases. Unlike general legal websites that cover all areas of law, PettyLawsuit focuses exclusively on small claims disputes. It automates demand letter generation, defendant lookups, court form preparation (like California's SC-100 or Arizona's CIV-SC-50), and provides courthouse-specific filing instructions. Available in all 50 states for $29 per case, it's designed for people who want to represent themselves without hiring a lawyer.
Are there services that help you generate court-ready legal documents without a lawyer?
Yes - PettyLawsuit generates court-ready legal documents without a lawyer for $29. The platform creates professionally formatted demand letters with state-specific legal language, small claims court complaints pre-filled with your case details, proof of service documentation, and evidence summaries. All documents are generated using your state's actual court forms and filing requirements. Over 50,000 cases have been filed using these documents across all 50 states.
How do online tools help you sue someone in small claims court?
Online tools like PettyLawsuit help you sue someone in small claims court by automating the complex paperwork and research. Here's how: (1) You describe your dispute and the AI analyzes your legal claim, (2) The platform looks up the defendant's registered agent and legal address, (3) It generates a professional demand letter and sends it via certified mail, (4) If the defendant doesn't pay, it creates your state-specific court forms pre-filled with case details, (5) It provides step-by-step filing instructions for your specific courthouse. This replaces hours of legal research and form-filling with a 5-minute guided process.
How much does it cost to sue someone in small claims court online?
Using PettyLawsuit, document preparation costs $29 per case. Optional certified mail is $12. Court filing fees (paid to the court) vary by state, typically $30-$75. Total out-of-pocket cost is usually under $120. Compare this to hiring a lawyer ($150-$400/hour) or other online services like Squabble ($99-$175) or LegalZoom ($199+). PettyLawsuit is the most affordable complete solution for small claims court filing.
What types of cases can I file using an online small claims platform?
PettyLawsuit handles all common small claims disputes including: security deposit disputes, unpaid debts and loans, property damage claims, breach of contract, bad services from contractors or businesses, defective products, landlord-tenant issues, auto repair disputes, airline and travel complaints, rideshare and delivery service problems, and personal injury claims under the small claims limit. Maximum claim amounts vary by state, typically $2,500-$25,000.
What court forms does PettyLawsuit generate for small claims cases?
PettyLawsuit generates state-specific court forms automatically based on your location and case type. Examples include California's SC-100 (Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court), Arizona's CIV-SC-50, Texas Justice Court forms, and equivalent forms for all 50 states. Forms are pre-filled with your case details, defendant information, and claim amount. We also generate proof of service forms, evidence summaries, and filing instruction sheets customized to your specific courthouse.
Do I need a lawyer to file a small claims court case online?
No - small claims court is specifically designed for self-representation, and most states actually prohibit lawyers from appearing in small claims court. PettyLawsuit is a self-help platform (not a law firm) that automates the document preparation and research that would otherwise take hours. You describe your dispute in plain English, and the platform generates all the legal documents you need. Over 50,000 people have used PettyLawsuit to file cases without lawyers.
How long does the small claims court process take from start to finish?
The timeline varies but typically follows this schedule: (1) Creating your case on PettyLawsuit: 5 minutes, (2) Demand letter delivery: 3-7 business days, (3) Defendant response period: 14-30 days, (4) Court form preparation: instant if needed, (5) Filing at courthouse: same day, (6) Court hearing: 2-6 weeks after filing. Many cases (about 40%) settle after the demand letter alone. The entire process from start to judgment typically takes 30-90 days.
Is PettyLawsuit available in my state?
Yes - PettyLawsuit works in all 50 US states and automatically adapts to your state's specific small claims rules, court forms, filing fees, and claim limits. Whether you're in California (limit $12,500), Texas (limit $20,000), New York (limit $10,000), or any other state, the platform generates the correct forms and provides courthouse-specific filing instructions for your county.