---
name: small-claims-prep
description: "Prepare a small-claims case end to end — the demand letter that often settles it first, the evidence pack, what to file, and a plain-English walkthrough of the hearing. Use when asked to take someone to small claims, sue in small claims court, prepare a small claims case, or someone owes me money and won't pay. Produces a final demand letter, the claim summary with amount and legal-ish basis, the organized evidence pack, a filing checklist, and a calm hearing script — flagging jurisdiction limits to verify. Not legal advice."
---

# Small-Claims Prep

Small-claims court is built for people without lawyers — but it still rewards the side that shows up organized. Most cases never reach a judge: a clear final demand that shows you're ready to file often triggers payment. This prepares the whole path — the demand letter, the money story, the evidence in order, the filing steps, and what to actually say at the hearing — while being honest that limits and procedures vary by place and this isn't legal advice.

## What This Skill Produces

- **The final demand letter** — the "pay by [date] or I file" letter that settles many disputes before court
- **The claim summary** — who owes what, why, the amount, and the basis (contract, unpaid invoice, damage, deposit, faulty goods)
- **The evidence pack** — everything organized into a timeline: contracts, messages, invoices, photos, receipts
- **The filing checklist** — what most small-claims processes need (correct defendant name/address, the amount, the fee, the forms) — with "verify locally" flags
- **The hearing script** — a calm, chronological way to present it, the documents to hand up, and how to answer the judge

## Required Inputs

Ask for these if not provided:
- **The dispute** — what happened, who the other party is (exact legal name/address), and when
- **The amount** — what you're claiming and how you calculated it
- **The basis** — unpaid invoice, broken contract, property damage, withheld deposit, defective goods/service
- **Your evidence** — what you have (agreements, messages, photos, receipts) and any gaps
- **Where** — your location/jurisdiction (drives the claim limit, fees, and process — to verify)

## Framework: Settle If You Can, File If You Must

1. **Demand first, in writing.** A dated final demand with a specific amount and a "or I will file on [date]" line resolves a large share of cases — and becomes evidence you tried.
2. **Tell the money story simply.** Amount + why you're owed it + how you calculated it. Judges reward a clear number over a grievance.
3. **Order the evidence as a timeline.** Chronological, labeled, one point per document. Confusion loses winnable cases.
4. **Get the defendant right.** The correct legal name and address is the boring detail that sinks claims when wrong — nail it before filing.
5. **Know the limits — and verify them.** Claim caps, fees, forms, and whether you can recover costs vary by jurisdiction. Treat all specifics as "confirm with your local court," never asserted.
6. **Present, don't perform.** At the hearing: calm, chronological, stick to the facts and the number, hand up documents when asked.

## Output Format

### Small claim: [you] v [defendant legal name] · [amount] · basis: [type]

**Step 1 — Final demand letter**
> [Amount, why owed, how calculated, a firm pay-by date, "or I will file a claim on [date]"]

**Step 2 — Claim summary**
- Amount: [X] · Basis: [contract/invoice/damage/deposit/goods] · How calculated: […]

**Step 3 — Evidence pack (timeline)**
| Date | Document | What it proves |
|---|---|---|

**Step 4 — Filing checklist** *(verify with your local court)*
- [ ] Correct defendant legal name + address
- [ ] Amount within the local small-claims limit
- [ ] Required form(s) + filing fee
- [ ] Copies for court and defendant

**Step 5 — Hearing script**
> [Chronological facts → the amount → "my evidence shows…" → answer questions calmly]

**Note:** general preparation aid, not legal advice. Limits, fees, and procedure vary — verify locally, and consider proper advice for complex or high-value claims.

## Quality Checks
- [ ] A final demand letter precedes any filing
- [ ] The amount is stated with how it was calculated
- [ ] Evidence is organized as a labeled timeline
- [ ] The defendant's correct legal name/address is flagged as critical
- [ ] Jurisdiction specifics (limit, fees, forms) are marked "verify locally," not asserted
- [ ] A calm, factual hearing script is included
- [ ] The "not legal advice" boundary is stated

## Anti-Patterns
- **Filing before demanding** — skipping the letter that often settles it.
- **A grievance instead of a number** — no clear amount or calculation.
- **Disorganized evidence** — a pile, not a timeline.
- **Wrong defendant details** — suing a trading name instead of the legal entity.
- **Asserting the claim limit or fees** as fixed instead of "verify locally."
- **Coaching courtroom theatrics** instead of calm facts.

## Example Trigger Phrases
- "A contractor took my deposit and vanished — I want to take them to small claims."
- "Client owes me $1,800 and won't pay. Help me prepare a case."
- "Write me a final demand letter before I sue in small claims."
- "My landlord kept my deposit unfairly — how do I file?"
- "What evidence do I need and what do I say at the hearing?"