Recover what you're owed.
Filed directly with the court, with live updates on your case.
Start your California small claims case for $19.99 today. The balance is due only once you have your hearing date.
Takes about 10 minutes. No card needed to start.
Common claims:unpaid rent, unpaid invoices, security deposits, contract disputes.
Unpaid rent. $3,200. Filed in a weekend.
Jose S., Oakland, CA
Unpaid rent. $3,200. Filed in a weekend.
Jose S., Oakland, CA
How it works
Pay almost nothing until the court says yes.
Your risk is capped at $19.99. We don't get paid in full unless the court accepts your case.
You start
Tell us your story
$19.99 today
A few simple questions. About 10 minutes.
Within days
We file with the court
Balance charged only when the court accepts
Filed electronically, with live updates as your case moves.
Your day in court
Show up and tell your side
Nothing more required
We send your court date and a guide to prepare.
How we compare
The sensible middle path.
There are three ways to handle a California small claims case. Here's how they stack up.
CourtConfident
File it yourself
Hire an attorney
Cost
$19.99 to start, $299 once you have your hearing date
$30–75 court fee upfront, paid again if you refile
$500–2,000, if you can find one who'll take it
Time to start
About 10 minutes
4–8 hours of learning and filing
Several consultations
Paperwork
Court-ready documents prepared for you
You fill out everything yourself
Handled by the firm
Communication
Live updates from the court, so you always know where you stand
Call the courthouse or wait for mail
Whenever the firm follows up
If it's rejected
We fix what the court flagged and refile for free. You're only charged in full once it's accepted.
The court fee is spent whether it's accepted or not.
Billed for their time, accepted or not.
CourtConfident
Cost
$19.99 to start, $299 once you have your hearing date
Time to start
About 10 minutes
Paperwork
Court-ready documents prepared for you
Communication
Live updates from the court, so you always know where you stand
If it's rejected
We fix what the court flagged and refile for free. You're only charged in full once it's accepted.
File it yourself
Cost
$30–75 court fee upfront, paid again if you refile
Time to start
4–8 hours of learning and filing
Paperwork
You fill out everything yourself
Communication
Call the courthouse or wait for mail
If it's rejected
The court fee is spent whether it's accepted or not.
Hire an attorney
Cost
$500–2,000, if you can find one who'll take it
Time to start
Several consultations
Paperwork
Handled by the firm
Communication
Whenever the firm follows up
If it's rejected
Billed for their time, accepted or not.
Stories from Californians
Real cases, real outcomes.
"I'd been trying to collect $4,200 in back rent for almost a year. I spent two nights answering questions on CourtConfident, got my hearing date by text a week later, and my tenant paid before we even went to court."
"A client ghosted on a $6,800 invoice. I'd written it off. My accountant told me about CourtConfident — I filed on a Sunday night, had my case accepted Tuesday, and got paid a week before the hearing."
"My old landlord kept $2,100 of my security deposit with no explanation. CourtConfident walked me through everything, filed the case, and I didn't have to call the courthouse once. Got my money back in six weeks."
Frequently asked
What you're wondering.
The $19.99 covers preparing your case: we turn your answers into court-ready documents and a formal demand letter. The remaining balance is due only when the court accepts your case. That structure protects you, and it keeps us honest. We only get paid in full when your case is actually moving forward, so our incentive is the same as yours.
You're protected. The remaining balance is only charged if the court accepts your case. If your case is rejected, you owe nothing more. We'll tell you exactly what the court flagged, fix it, and refile for free. And if you change your mind within 24 hours of starting, you can request a full refund of the $19.99.
California small claims filings are often rejected for formatting errors, incomplete forms, or filing at the wrong court. We prepare your documents to court-ready standards and file them electronically through the California court system. That dramatically reduces rejection risk and saves you 4–8 hours of learning the process.
No. California small claims court explicitly prohibits attorneys from representing you at the hearing. The system is designed for self-representation. We prepare your documents, handle the filing, and give you a guide so you walk into your hearing prepared.
California small claims covers money claims up to $12,500 for individuals and $6,250 for businesses. Common cases include unpaid rent, unpaid invoices, security deposits, contract disputes, and minor property damage. We don't currently handle evictions, family law, or criminal matters.
About 10 minutes to complete your case details. Most filings are accepted by the court within 1–5 business days. Hearings are typically set 30–45 days from filing, and you'll know your hearing date the moment the court accepts your case.
You'll receive a judgment from the court: a legal order that the other party owes you money. Most defendants pay voluntarily after judgment. For those who don't, you have options including wage garnishment, bank levies, and property liens. We'll guide you through what's available if that's the situation you face.
Small Claims Without the Big Headache
Guided by experts. Filed by professionals.
Start your small-claims case today for $149 today.
"Filed for $3,200 in unpaid rent. Done in a weekend."
- Jose S., Landlord, Oakland, Ca.
Recover what you're owed.
Filed directly with the court, with live updates on your case.
Start your California small claims case for $19.99 today. The balance is due only once you have your hearing date.
Takes about 10 minutes. No card needed to start.
Common claims:unpaid rent, unpaid invoices, security deposits, contract disputes.
Unpaid rent. $3,200. Filed in a weekend.
Jose S., Oakland, CA
Unpaid rent. $3,200. Filed in a weekend.
Jose S., Oakland, CA
A Word From
Our Customers
Real people. Real filings. Real results.
Rated 4.9/5 by California Landlords
"I'd been meaning to apply for my Irish citizenship for years, but the process looked overwhelming. FamilyCitizen made it.simple and I finished my packet in one evening."
- Sarah S., Chicago
"As a small landlord, I don't have time to figure out court forms. Court Confident took care of it quickly, and kept me updated every step of the way." - Tom R., Los Angeles
"I spent months trying to understand the Italian citizenship process., but nothing felt clear. FamilyCitizen made the whole experience surprisingly easy."
- Tom & Sarah S., Chicago
Ready to Get Started?
Join hundreds of Californians
simplifying their small-claims filings
Stories from Californians
Real cases, real outcomes.
[Placeholder — replace with real testimonial after first 10 filings. Should include a specific dollar amount and a specific timeframe.]
[Placeholder — replace with a contractor or small business testimonial that names a specific unpaid invoice scenario and the timeline to resolution.]
[Placeholder — replace with a consumer testimonial, ideally a security deposit or service dispute case. Concrete details outperform general praise.]
Stories from Californians
Real cases, real outcomes.
"I'd been trying to collect $4,200 in back rent for almost a year. I spent two nights answering questions on CourtConfident, got my hearing date by text a week later, and my tenant paid before we even went to court."
"A client ghosted on a $6,800 invoice. I'd written it off. My accountant told me about CourtConfident — I filed on a Sunday night, had my case accepted Tuesday, and got paid a week before the hearing."
"My old landlord kept $2,100 of my security deposit with no explanation. CourtConfident walked me through everything, filed the case, and I didn't have to call the courthouse once. Got my money back in six weeks."
How it works
Pay almost nothing until the court says yes.
Your risk is capped at $19.99. We don't get paid in full unless the court accepts your case.
You start
Tell us your story
$19.99 today
A few simple questions. About 10 minutes.
Within days
We file with the court
Balance charged only when the court accepts
Filed electronically, with live updates as your case moves.
Your day in court
Show up and tell your side
Nothing more required
We send your court date and a guide to prepare.
We handle filings so you can focus on your case
How it works in three simple steps:
Start Your Filing
for $149
We prepare your paperwork, file with the correct court, and include up to three (3) service attempts for your defendant.
Court Date Set &
Defendant Served
Your case is accepted and scheduled. Once the defendant has been served, your hearing date is confirmed.
Pay Remaining $250 Only After Your Case is Scheduled
You only pay the balance after the court accepts your case and your hearing date is set. No hidden fees or surprises.
How we compare
The sensible middle path.
There are three ways to handle a California small claims case. Here's how they stack up.
CourtConfident
File it yourself
Hire an attorney
Cost
$19.99 to start, $299 once you have your hearing date
$30–75 court fee upfront, paid again if you refile
$500–2,000, if you can find one who'll take it
Time to start
About 10 minutes
4–8 hours of learning and filing
Several consultations
Paperwork
Court-ready documents prepared for you
You fill out everything yourself
Handled by the firm
Communication
Live updates from the court, so you always know where you stand
Call the courthouse or wait for mail
Whenever the firm follows up
If it's rejected
We fix what the court flagged and refile for free. You're only charged in full once it's accepted.
The court fee is spent whether it's accepted or not.
Billed for their time, accepted or not.
CourtConfident
Cost
$19.99 to start, $299 once you have your hearing date
Time to start
About 10 minutes
Paperwork
Court-ready documents prepared for you
Communication
Live updates from the court, so you always know where you stand
If it's rejected
We fix what the court flagged and refile for free. You're only charged in full once it's accepted.
File it yourself
Cost
$30–75 court fee upfront, paid again if you refile
Time to start
4–8 hours of learning and filing
Paperwork
You fill out everything yourself
Communication
Call the courthouse or wait for mail
If it's rejected
The court fee is spent whether it's accepted or not.
Hire an attorney
Cost
$500–2,000, if you can find one who'll take it
Time to start
Several consultations
Paperwork
Handled by the firm
Communication
Whenever the firm follows up
If it's rejected
Billed for their time, accepted or not.
$19.99 to start
$19.99 to start
Frequently asked
What you're wondering.
The $19.99 covers preparing your case: we turn your answers into court-ready documents and a formal demand letter. The remaining balance is due only when the court accepts your case. That structure protects you, and it keeps us honest. We only get paid in full when your case is actually moving forward, so our incentive is the same as yours.
You're protected. The remaining balance is only charged if the court accepts your case. If your case is rejected, you owe nothing more. We'll tell you exactly what the court flagged, fix it, and refile for free. And if you change your mind within 24 hours of starting, you can request a full refund of the $19.99.
California small claims filings are often rejected for formatting errors, incomplete forms, or filing at the wrong court. We prepare your documents to court-ready standards and file them electronically through the California court system. That dramatically reduces rejection risk and saves you 4–8 hours of learning the process.
No. California small claims court explicitly prohibits attorneys from representing you at the hearing. The system is designed for self-representation. We prepare your documents, handle the filing, and give you a guide so you walk into your hearing prepared.
California small claims covers money claims up to $12,500 for individuals and $6,250 for businesses. Common cases include unpaid rent, unpaid invoices, security deposits, contract disputes, and minor property damage. We don't currently handle evictions, family law, or criminal matters.
About 10 minutes to complete your case details. Most filings are accepted by the court within 1–5 business days. Hearings are typically set 30–45 days from filing, and you'll know your hearing date the moment the court accepts your case.
You'll receive a judgment from the court: a legal order that the other party owes you money. Most defendants pay voluntarily after judgment. For those who don't, you have options including wage garnishment, bank levies, and property liens. We'll guide you through what's available if that's the situation you face.