Small Claims Response Template: How to Answer a Small Claims Case

What small claims court handles

Small claims court decides money disputes up to a limit set by each state, with simple rules built for people without lawyers. The limits vary a lot. Some examples, checked against official court sites:

• California: generally up to $12,500, or up to $6,250 if you are a business.
• Florida: claims up to $8,000, not counting costs, interest, and attorney fees.
• Texas: up to $20,000, in the justice courts.
• New York City: up to $10,000 in the Small Claims Part of the Civil Court.
• Pennsylvania: magisterial district judges hear civil cases up to $12,000.

• California small claims forms
• Florida small claims forms
• Texas small claims forms
• New York small claims forms
• Pennsylvania small claims forms

Do not skip it

The most common way people lose small claims cases is by not showing up. If you miss the hearing, the court can enter a default judgment for the full amount, which can then be collected through wage garnishment or a bank levy.

Some courts want a written response or counterclaim before the hearing. Others let you simply come and tell your side. Your papers and your court’s website say which.

Sample small claims response outline

This is a general outline to show you what goes where. It is not an official court form. Many states and courts publish their own form, and if yours does, you usually must use it.

[NAME OF COURT], Small Claims
[Plaintiff name] v. [Your name]
Case No. [from your papers]

DEFENDANT'S RESPONSE

1. What I agree with:
   [facts you do not dispute]

2. What I dispute, and why:
   [each point, with the evidence that
   shows it]

3. The amount:
   [I owe nothing / I owe $[amount] because
   ...]

4. Counterclaim (only if they owe you):
   The plaintiff owes me $[amount] because
   [facts].

5. Evidence I will bring:
   [contracts, receipts, photos, texts]

6. Witnesses: [names]

Dated: [date]       [Your signature]
                    [Printed name, address,
                    phone, email]

What to write in each part

Keep it short, in time order, and tied to your evidence. The judge wants to know what happened, what you can prove, and what the right amount is.

A counterclaim is your own demand against the person who sued you, on the same dispute. Check your court’s deadline for filing one, and bring evidence for it just like the main claim.

• Defenses: the work was done, the goods were defective, you already paid, or the amount is wrong
• Documents: contracts, receipts, invoices, estimates, photos, texts, and emails
• Bring three copies of everything: one for you, one for the judge, one for the other side

Steps to prepare

1. Read the claim and the hearing notice, and mark the date, time, and courtroom.
2. Check whether your court wants a written response or counterclaim, and by when.
3. Collect and organize every document and photo that supports your side.
4. Ask witnesses who saw what happened to come, and confirm they can.
5. Write a short, factual outline so you can tell your side calmly.
6. Arrive early with your copies.

Settling before the hearing

Many small claims cases settle. If you owe part of the amount, a written agreement to pay can keep a judgment off your record. Get any deal in writing, and ask how the case gets dismissed once you have paid.