Add Text Field To Legal Illinois Small Claims Forms For Free

Eight Step Process Go to the courthouse. ... List your name as the plaintiff. ... The party you are suing is called the defendant. ... List the amount of money you request as damages. Include a brief explanation about why you are suing the defendant. The clerk will assign a number to each small claim case.

Is an Attorney Required? In small claims court you can handle your personal or business legal matters without an attorney; however, you can hire an attorney to represent you if you wish. If the other party has an attorney, your chances of winning might be better if you also have an attorney.

If you do not settle out of court or file an Appearance on or before the Return Date, and you fail to appear in court on the Return Date, a Judgment by default may be entered against you for the amount claimed, plus court costs.

Suing someone for $10,000 or less Small claims court is a civil court where a plaintiff (person filing the case) can sue someone (a defendant) for $10,000 or less. It has simplified rules and can go much faster than other types of cases.

To file a small claims complaint, the plaintiff must pay a filing fee depending on the amount and type of suit to be filed. If the amount of money you are asking for is $2,500.00 or less, the filing fee is $89.00. If the amount of money exceeds $2,500.00 but not more than $10,000.00 the filing fee is $225.00.

The defendant must file an appearance and responsive pleading or answer within 30 days of being served with the summons. An alias summons is a second summons that is issued by the court when the first attempt to serve a summons was unsuccessful.