Guide To Small Claims Court In Ohio: When It Makes Sense And When It Doesn’t

If you’re involved in a financial dispute, such as a contractor who never completed the project, a customer who refuses to pay an invoice, or a landlord/tenant issue, you may be wondering whether or not it’s worth the effort to go to court. Small claims court may be an option for you, and for many Ohio residents, small claims court may be the answer to recovering money you’re owed.

However, small claims court is not always the answer to your problems. In this article, we’ll break down the process of small claims in the State of Ohio and discuss when you’d want to consider seeking an attorney before filing. 

What is small claims court? 

Small claims court is intended for simple disputes that involve money, and it is handled much more quickly than the civil court system. It also requires less paperwork and fewer procedures.

Most often, small claims court is used to get money damages, not to get someone to do something (such as finishing a job or returning an item). 

What types of cases can you bring? 

Common small claims court cases include:

• Borrowed money that hasn’t been paid back
• Security deposit disputes
• Claims for property damage
• Breach of contract
• Unpaid invoices
• Disputes regarding faulty products or services

The important thing is that the case should be relatively simple and involve only the recovery of a specific amount of money. 

How much can you sue for in small claims court? 

Small claims courts in the State of Ohio usually handle cases up to $6,000. However, in case your damages exceed that amount, you still have some options, which include filing your case in regular municipal or common pleas court or deciding that you can only proceed in small claims for part of your claim. 

Basic steps for filing a small claims case 

Although the steps slightly vary from county to county and court to court, the following steps are generally followed:

• Determine the relevant court (usually the defendant’s location or the location of the dispute)
• File your complaint claiming the incident occurred and the amount of compensation your require
• Pay the filing fees (varies by court)
• Serve the defendant with notice of the lawsuit
• Attend the hearing and present your evidence

Small claims cases can be very fast-paced, so it’s important to be prepared. 

What evidence should you bring? 

The best small claims court cases are those that are well-documented. The following are some examples of what you could bring that would be useful in court:

• Contracts or written agreements
• Photos (pre/post work, damage, conditions)
• Receipts and invoices
• Text messages, emails, or written communication
• Witnesses
• Proof of payment or nonpayment

Even in small claims court, the judge will want facts. 

Talk to a Dayton, OH, Consumer Claims Lawyer Today 

Kohl & Cook Law Firm, LLC, represents the interests of Dayton residents who need to file consumer claims. Call our Dayton consumer lawyer today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin discussing your next steps right away.