PLAINTIFF'S SMALL CLAIMS CHECKLIST

							                                  PLAINTIFF'S SMALL CLAIMS CHECKLIST
 If your are the plaintiff and are filing the lawsuit

1. ___     Contact the other party to find out if you can agree on a solution to the problem before you start a lawsuit.

2. ___     Get familiar with small claims court. Read the materials on Small Claims Court on this website all the way
           through before starting your case.
3. ___     Figure out the exact amount that is owed.

4. ___     Figure out where you should file the small claims case.
                    See Section G about "Where to File your Claim".
5. ___     Figure out who the defendant(s) is and the address for the defendant(s).
                   See Section E about "Who Can be Sued".
6. ___     Complete your Small Claims Complaint.
                   See Section J about "What to Put in the Complaint".
7. ___     Go the Clerk's office and file your Small Claims Complaint. Pay the filing fee or, if you can't afford to pay the fee,
           ask the Court to excuse you from paying a filing fee.
           Complete and submit the "Petition and Order to Sue or Defend as a Indigent Person." When you are at the
           Clerk's office also ask for the Summons.
           Fill out the Summons and schedule a court date.
                    See Section K about "Scheduling".

           Method of Filing Fee Payment
             The Lake County Circuit Clerks will accept cash, money order, certified check, cashier's check, or Discovery
           Card for payment of fees and court cost. NO PERSONAL CHECKS.

              The Lake County Sheriff's Civil Process Division will accept cash, personal check, money order, certified
           check or cashiers check for payment of service fees. NO CREDIT CARDS.

           Note: All of these fees are subject to change based on changes in the laws setting them as enacted by
           the legislature.
8. ___     Arrange for service of process on each defendant.
                   See Section I about "Service".
9. ___     If the defendant has been served but fails to file an appearance or fails to appear on the return date, arrange a
           date to ask for a default judgment.
10. ___    Prepare for your court date (organize your thoughts, collect evidence, talk to witnesses).
                    See Section Q about "Presenting Your Case".
11. ___    If possible, go watch some other cases on a date before your case is scheduled.

12. ___    Fill out a subpoena for any witnesses you need to attend. You can serve the subpoena yourself.
                    See Section R about "Subpoenas".
13. ___    Attend the hearing and present your case.
                    See Section Q about "Presenting Your Case".
14. ___    Get a copy of the judgment and don't leave the courthouse without it. Read it carefully to be sure you understand
           what the judge has decided you have to do.
15. ___    Give or Send a copy of the judgment order to the defendant.

16. ___    For information about collecting a judgment, see Section T about "How Do I get My Money if I Win?" or click the
           After the Judgment section of this website.
17. ___    If you wish to consider an What Can I Do If I Cannot Afford the Filing Fee? Appeal.
                    See Section U about "What Can I Do if I Disagree with the Judge's Decision?"

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