DIY California small claims

Confident small claims help.We'll walk you through every step. You've got this!

ClaimKit Help is the California small claims companion. Every form, every script, every nudge, written for the moments that matter most.

See what's inside Get the free checklist
Small Claims. Big Confidence.
What's inside → 20 to 72 documents, written for California, ready to use. ↓
Who ClaimKit Help is for

You don't need a lawyer.
You need a system.

ClaimKit Help was built for two people: the individual who got burned, and the small business owner who's owed money.

Individuals

You've been wronged and you deserve resolution, without it costing more than the dispute itself.

  • Security deposit not returned
  • Unpaid personal loans
  • Contractor didn't finish the job
  • Property damage by a neighbor
  • Faulty goods or services

Small Business Owners

Unpaid invoices and client disputes can eat into your margins. Small claims is often your fastest path to recovery.

  • Unpaid invoices (up to $6,250)
  • Breach of service contract
  • Client refused to pay after delivery
  • Damaged business property
  • Bounced checks
The process

Six steps to your resolution.

ClaimKit Help walks you through each one, with checklists, templates, and clear explanations.

1

Understand your claim

Is small claims court right for your situation? We help you assess your case, the dollar limits, and what to expect before you commit.

2

Gather your evidence

Photos, contracts, texts, receipts. We give you a complete checklist so nothing important gets left behind.

3

File your claim

Form SC-100, filing fees, where to go, fully explained. Fee waivers too, if you qualify.

4

Serve the defendant

Legally notifying the other party is required and has strict rules. We walk you through certified mail, personal service, and proof of service (SC-104).

5

Prepare for court

What to bring, what to say, how to organize your evidence. Plus: how to calm your nerves and present with confidence.

6

Your hearing day

What happens in the room, how to speak to the judge, and what to do after, whether you win or need to collect your judgment.

Most people have never been to court.
ClaimKit Help was built for exactly that.

The process is unfamiliar, the stakes feel high, and anxiety is completely normal. ClaimKit Help was built to meet you there, with calm, clear support at every step, so you never feel alone in this.

Real people. Real results.

See what happens when you show up prepared...

Here's what ClaimKit Help customers are saying after using the guides.

"Landlord tried to keep my deposit, saying the place wasn't clean, BUT IT WAS!! ClaimKit is the key to being prepared, then being awarded the full deposit PLUS damages. I totally recommend this product!"

Verified Google Review

"I would have been very anxious if I had to do this process myself. The ClaimKit is incredibly helpful and I really like that I don't have to go through all the documents one by one because the FAQ sheet points you to where you need go. The prompts on possibilities/scenarios and how you might be feeling and what to do are very nice and supportive. The step by steps are incredibly helpful as well. It is very well researched and up to date. I would obviously be very stressed having to figure this out and do it on my own but with this resource a lot of that anxiety and overwhelm is eased. Thankful that such a document and this kind of help exists! Thank you!"

Verified Google Review

"Super helpful and easy to follow. These PDFs are organized, straightforward, and truly a must have if you're dealing with a case. I especially liked the scripts and checklists. They made everything feel way less overwhelming. I feel much more prepared going into court. Definitely worth it!"

Verified Etsy Review

"I walked into court prepared and won! This did exactly what it said it would."

Verified Google Review

"I'm not a legal expert by any means, but this broke everything down in a way that actually made sense and felt manageable. The templates saved me hours of time and eliminated so much guesswork. If you're on the fence, just get it. You won't regret it."

Verified Etsy Review

"Paid for itself 10x over."

Verified Google Review
Look Inside ClaimKit Help

Real help when it matters most.

Sample pages from the 72 documents inside ClaimKit Complete. Worksheets you fill in, scripts you can read out loud, and calm guidance through every step.

Packages

Choose your level of support.

Each one walks you through every step. You're just picking how much help you want with you.

Starter
$49

Goal: Resolve your dispute without ever setting foot in a courthouse.

  • Should I File? Quick Check
  • Your Demand Letter Template
  • Settlement & Payment Plan Templates
  • What to Say: Text & Email Scripts
  • File or Keep Negotiating? Here's How to Decide
  • Key Legal Terms, Plain and Simple
  • How to Stay Firm Without Losing Your Cool
  • If You're Panicking: Start Here ✦ when it matters most
  • When They're Stalling: What to Do Next ✦ when it matters most
  • 20 documents total
Get Starter · $49
Most Popular
Core
$99

Goal: Get fully prepared to file and walk into court with confidence.

  • Everything in Starter (20 docs)
  • How to Calculate What You're Owed
  • Are You Suing the Right Person or Business?
  • How and Where to File
  • How to Serve Your Defendant
  • What to Say in Court: Full Script Guide
  • Your Complete Court Day Guide & Checklist
  • They Filed Back Against You: What Now?
  • If You Get Interrupted: How to Respond Calmly ✦ when it matters most
  • How to Stay Calm the Day Before Court ✦ when it matters most
  • 63 documents total + email support
Get Core · $99
Complete
$179

Goal: Full support from first dispute to after judgment, nothing left to figure out alone.

  • Everything in Core (63 docs)
  • How to Collect Your Money
  • Your Collection Options (And What They Really Mean)
  • You Got the Judgment: What Happens Next
  • How to Close It Out: Satisfaction of Judgment
  • If It Didn't Go Your Way: What to Feel and Do Next ✦ when it matters most
  • 72 documents total + email support
Get Complete · $179

7-Day Confidence Guarantee: If you don't feel more prepared after using ClaimKit Help, email us within 7 days for a full refund. No hoops, no hassle.

Not sure which package fits your situation? Email us

Free resources

Not ready to buy yet?
Start with our free guide.

Get our free "Is Small Claims Right for Me?" checklist, straight to your inbox. No pressure, no spam.

Questions

Answers before you start.

What is the maximum I can claim in California small claims court? ↓
Individuals can claim up to $12,500. Businesses, corporations, and guarantors of consumer debt are limited to $6,250 per claim. You can file up to two claims over $2,500 per year as an individual.
Do I need a lawyer? ↓
No, and in fact, lawyers are not allowed to represent either party during the hearing in California small claims court. That's what makes it so accessible, and why ClaimKit Help exists.
How long does small claims take? ↓
After filing, your hearing is typically scheduled 20 to 70 days out. The hearing itself is usually 15 to 30 minutes. After the ruling, the defendant has 30 days to appeal or pay.
What if I've never been to court before? ↓
That's exactly who ClaimKit Help is built for. We explain every step in everyday terms, give you templates and checklists, and prepare you for what to expect. You don't need any legal background.
Can small businesses use ClaimKit Help? ↓
Absolutely. Our Core and Complete packages include a dedicated small business section covering unpaid invoices (up to $6,250), breach of contract, and collecting judgments as a business entity. The process is slightly different from individual claims. We walk you through all of it.
What if I win but they don't pay? ↓
Winning a judgment is just step one. Our Complete package includes a full guide on collecting your judgment: wage garnishment, bank levies, and liens, because winning in court should mean getting paid.
What if I don't win? ↓
It happens, even to well-prepared people. The ClaimKit Help Complete package includes a dedicated guide for exactly this: what the outcome means, what your options are, and how to process it and move forward. Showing up prepared is never wasted, regardless of the result.
I'm really anxious about this. Is that normal? ↓
Completely normal, and honestly, one of the biggest reasons ClaimKit Help exists. Most people have never been to court. The unknown is the hardest part. Every ClaimKit Help package is designed to replace that anxiety with clarity: you'll know exactly what to do, what to bring, what to say, and what to expect. You won't walk in feeling lost.
What if it doesn't work for my situation? ↓
ClaimKit Help comes with a 7-day guarantee. If you go through the materials and don't feel more prepared, email us for a full refund. We also offer email support with the Core and Complete packages to help you apply the guides to your specific case.
Is this just generic legal templates I could find online? ↓
No. Every guide is written specifically for California small claims court, in everyday terms, with the calm, grounded support most legal resources completely ignore. You won't find a "What to Say to the Judge" script or an "If You're Panicking" guide in a free courthouse handout.
I'm not sure which package I need. ↓
If you haven't sent a demand letter yet, start with Starter ($49). If you've decided to go to court, Core ($99) has everything you need through your hearing. If you want complete coverage including judgment collection, go with Complete ($179). You can always upgrade later and only pay the difference.
Can I just use ChatGPT or Claude to file my California small claims case? ↓
You can ask AI to explain small claims, and it'll do a decent job. What it can't do is point you to the exact California Judicial Council form your court will accept, tell you which fields are the ones that confuse everyone, walk you through serving the other side under California's specific service rules, or coach you on what to say when the judge asks the questions they always ask. ClaimKit Help gives you all of that as a finished playbook you work through step by step. AI is a research assistant. ClaimKit Help is the playbook.
What does ClaimKit Help do that AI can't? ↓
Three things. First, we tell you the current California Judicial Council form to file, where to download it from, and walk you through the fields that trip people up. AI will tell you the form exists; we walk you through it. Second, our scripts are written for the moments you'll face: the clerk window, the service confirmation, the judge's first question, the moment you start to freeze. Third, we plan for the hard parts. What happens if they don't show. What happens if you win and they don't pay. What happens if you lose. AI gives you a general answer. We give you the next move.
Can I use AI alongside ClaimKit Help? ↓
Yes, and Core and Complete now include a short "Using AI Safely With Your Kit" guide with prompts you can paste into ChatGPT or Claude. It's useful for things like practicing your testimony out loud, stress-testing the other side's likely defense, or rewording a demand letter in your own voice. The guide also lists what you should never trust AI for in your case: dollar limits, deadlines, county-specific rules, form versions, and legal strategy. Use AI as a sidekick. Use ClaimKit Help as the system.
Will AI know my county's filing rules? ↓
Often, no. AI tends to give you the national-average version of small claims, which can be wrong for California. ClaimKit Help is written specifically for California, with the rules your court will apply: the SC-100 form, the $12,500 individual limit, the service-of-process rules, the hearing-notice timing, the calendar from filing to ruling to collection. For the largest population centers (Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Francisco, and Sacramento, with more added regularly), there are dedicated walkthroughs covering the courthouse, the hours, e-filing availability, and what to expect at check-in. For any other county, the California-wide playbook walks you through the universal rules, and a five-minute call to your local clerk fills in the courthouse-specific details.
What about the new legal AI tools I'm hearing about? ↓
You're probably hearing about Claude for Legal, which launched in May 2026. It's 12 plugins and 20+ connectors built for law firms doing corporate, regulatory, and litigation work. Tools like Harvey, Thomson Reuters, and Trellis are aimed at licensed attorneys handling complex matters, and they cost firms thousands a year. None of them are built for someone filing a security deposit case in California. The everyday plaintiff is still on their own, which is exactly the gap ClaimKit Help was built for.