What kind of claim do you have?
Your deadline, the evidence that wins, and the rule that decides it all depend on the kind of dispute. Find yours.
California does not have one filing deadline — it has several, and which applies turns on how your claim is characterized. A written contract gives you four years; the same facts framed as property damage give you three; an oral agreement gives you two. Each guide below states the period and the Code of Civil Procedure section it comes from, so you can check it.
After the hearing
Business
- Client won't pay an invoice
- Freelancer or 1099 contractor not paid
- Commercial lease deposit dispute
- Suing a company or LLC
Consumer
- Online or marketplace sale gone wrong
- Movers damaged or lost your belongings
- Wedding or event vendor didn't deliver
- Veterinary bill or pet care dispute
- Gym or subscription kept charging you
- Insurance underpaid a small claim
- School, course or camp won't refund
- Storage facility sold or lost your belongings
- Service business took payment and never showed
- Phone or laptop repair damaged the device
- Event canceled and no refund given
- Unauthorized charges a business won't reverse
- Shipper lost or damaged your package
- Photographer never delivered the photos
Employment
Home improvement
Housing
- Security deposit not returned
- Roommate owes you rent or bills
- Landlord won't make repairs
- Short-term rental or Airbnb damage claim
- HOA fine or assessment dispute
Injury and property
Money owed
- Someone paid with a bad check
- Personal loan to a friend or family member
- Money sent by mistake on Venmo, Zelle or Cash App
Neighbors
Vehicles
Start with a demand letter
Most California small claims cases settle before anyone sees a courtroom. The letter is free to write, and you can have us print and certified-mail it for $29.
No account needed to start. We are not a law firm and cannot give legal advice.