Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part I: Making Your Big Problem a Small Claim 5
Chapter 1: Understanding the Ins and Outs of Small Claims Court 7
Chapter 2: Deciding if Your Case Belongs in Small Claims Court 15
Chapter 3: Evaluating Whether You Need a Lawyer 35
Chapter 4: Classifying Your Claim: Figuring Out What Kind of Case You Have 47
Chapter 5: What’s the Damage: Understanding Different Types of Damages 67
Part II: Getting Ready to Go to Court 83
Chapter 6: Just the Facts, Jack: Gathering Your Information 85
Chapter 7: Dealing with the Clerk 95
Chapter 8: Informing the Defendant About the Case 103
Chapter 9: Looking at Your Options: Considering Alternatives to Trial 119
Chapter 10: In Your Defense: Advice for the Defendant 129
Part III: Presenting Your Case in Court 139
Chapter 11: Mastering Courtroom Etiquette 141
Chapter 12: Providing the Proof You Need to Make Your Case 159
Chapter 13: Handling Live Witnesses Well 173
Chapter 14: Sounding Like a Lawyer in the Courtroom 193
Chapter 15: Understanding the Judge’s Decision 211
Part IV: Dealing with Specific Problems 217
Chapter 16: Getting Hit Where You Live: Contract Cases Involving Your Home 219
Chapter 17: Getting the Business: Suing over Business Transactions 235
Chapter 18: Getting Personal: Suing Those Closest to You 251
Chapter 19: Pardon My French: Understanding Tort Cases 263
Chapter 20: Looking at Legal Issues in the Internet Age 275
Part V: Handling Post-Trial Issues 285
Chapter 21: Getting the Verdict and Collecting Your Judgment 287
Chapter 22: Appealing a Decision 299
Part VI: The Part of Tens 307
Chapter 23: Ten Ways to Improve Your Odds of Winning in Court 309
Chapter 24: Ten Blunders to Avoid 313
Glossary 317
Index 329