Small Claims DeskSOMEONE-OWES-ME-MONEY

Small Claims · United States

Someone Owes Me Money and Won't Pay

When someone won't pay you back — a loan, an invoice, a deposit, a refund — small claims court is how ordinary people get a judgment without a lawyer. Tell us who owes you and where they are, and we build the filing that gets it in front of a judge.

Start with your state

Rules, fees, and forms change by state and county. Pick your state to reach the exact court — or start your claim and we will ask where you would sue.

Start my claim

Why not just download the free form?

The forms are free. Why pay?

The forms are free. Knowing what to write in them is not. Most rejected filings are rejected on the claim narrative, not the paperwork.

Can't I just hire a lawyer?

Most attorneys will not take a small claims-sized case, and the ones who will cost more than the claim.

What if I get it wrong?

You refile and pay the fee again. That is the actual cost of guessing.

Common questions

Someone owes me money and won't pay — what can I do?

Send one clear demand letter, and if that fails, file a small claims case. A judgment gives you legal tools to collect. We prepare both from the same facts.

How do I sue someone for money they owe me?

File a claim in the court where they live or where the debt arose, state the amount and the facts, and have them served. We handle the paperwork and wording.

What proof do I need that someone owes me money?

Anything showing the debt: texts, emails, a signed note, invoices, bank records, or a receipt. We fit them into the claim.

How do I collect after I win?

A judgment lets you pursue wage garnishment, bank levies, or liens depending on your state. Winning is step one; collecting is a separate process we point you to.

Your small claims filing packet — $49

Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:

Start my claim

Answer a few questions first — starting with where you would sue. See your claim written out before you pay anything.

Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-28 · Sourced from State judiciary self-help resources and each county's clerk of court and Varies by state. See how we verify.