California small claims is built for everyday disputes — up to $12,500. We help you walk in prepared, with a real lawyer behind the work. Lawma’s guided intake is free; the licensed attorney you choose quotes a flat fee before any work starts.
What it's for
A security deposit a landlord won't return. A car repair that wasn't done. A friend who borrowed money and stopped answering. A contractor who took a payment and disappeared. A neighbor whose dog destroyed your fence.
Small claims court is fast, cheap, and runs in plain English on purpose — no jury, no formal rules of evidence, just a judge listening to both sides. It's designed for regular people. Lawma helps you arrive ready.
The California rules
$12,500
The most an individual can ask for in a single small claims case in California. Twice a calendar year at that level — more cases that year are capped at $2,500.
$6,250
The limit for a business or corporation. Note: corporations can't use small claims to chase debts above this line.
No lawyers at the hearing
California is unusual: attorneys cannot appear for you at the small claims hearing itself. You speak for yourself. That's where Lawma's preparation matters most.
Note — the rule that bars attorneys from the hearing comes from California Code of Civil Procedure § 116.530. Lawyers can still advise you before and after the hearing — which is exactly how Lawma works. We prepare the case with you; you walk in ready.
What we help with
Most small claims are decided on who came prepared. We handle the parts that trip people up:
The process
How pricing works
Your lawyer charges a pre-negotiated flat fee — typically $200 to $3,500, depending on complexity. Small claims usually falls at the low end since the process is simpler. That single fee covers your attorney's work AND everything Lawma does.
If you qualify for legal aid, your fee is waived. Permanently.That's a Lawma commitment.
California small claims filing fees run about $30 to $75 depending on how much you're asking for. If your income qualifies, the fee can be waived; we help you file the waiver.
Questions people ask
Wait — I really have to go to court alone?
For the hearing itself, yes. California built small claims that way to keep it informal and accessible. But your attorney can — and should — help you prepare everything that leads up to it. That preparation is where cases are won.
What if I'm the one being sued?
Lawma helps defendants too. We help you understand what you've been served, file any counterclaim, gather your evidence, and prepare your side. Don't ignore a small claims notice — a default judgment is as real as any other.
How long until the hearing?
California aims to schedule small claims hearings 20–70 days after filing. In busy counties, it can land closer to the end of that window.
If I win, do they automatically pay?
No — and this is the part nobody warns about. A judgment is a court order saying you're owed the money; collecting it is a separate step. We help you with wage garnishment, bank levies, and the other tools California allows.
Process servers and other practical services that come up in small-claims matters. Lawma earns a small fee when you connect with a partner.
Process servers
Swift Serve
Same-day service on most family-court papers, with a certified Proof of Service handed back to your attorney.
Self-help tools
Claimshield
A simple mobile app that helps you organize photos, receipts, vet bills, and witness statements into a court-ready evidence packet for small claims.
Intake happens on Lawma — you never hand your details to a third-party form. Lawma earns a small referral fee when you connect with a partner; we only list services that meet our review bar, and we never run ads on your case file.
Start with a short conversation. Guided intake is free and no commitment; the licensed attorney you choose quotes a flat fee before any work starts.
