Small claims court can seem scary but if you prepare a little it will increase your changes of winning.
Statement to the Small Claims Judge
I recommend that you have a short two or three sentence statement to the Judge, basically saying, “Your honor, I request that you order the defendant to pay $5,000 dollars in ten days because we had a contract and they failed to pay it. I have included the contract and evidence of my work in my binder.”
Binder With Small Claims Court Evidence
Put in your binder a longer written out letter to the Judge with why you’re owed money with exhibits including attachments like the contract. You want to tab your evidence and including a table of contents so the Judge can find it easily. Don’t forget your small claims court demand letter which most court’s require you send to the opponent before the hearing.
Bring extra copies of your Small Claims Court Binder
You will want extra copies for your binder. Bring one copy for yourself, one for the judge and one for your opponent. Give the binder to your opponent before the hearing. That way you can tell the Judge you gave the opponent everything you had and they refused to settle or be reasonable.
Use the Binder as Your Crutch
Most people are not used to speaking in public. It can be intimidating especially in a courtroom. Sometimes the judge is angry and cuts you off. The binder can do a lot of the talking for you and the judge will be pleased that you have a binder organized with all the evidence and the summary of your arguments. Even if you choke up in front of the judge, you will have a backup plan with a binder.
