Plaintiff’s Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court (form SC-100)

If you received a Plaintiff’s Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court (form SC-100), it means someone is suing you in small claims court. The court sets a date to hear from both sides (a trial) before it makes a decision.

Highlight of Form SC-100 showing Order to Go to Court

Trial date and time

The date, time, and location are on the first page.

If you can't go to court on the day and time listed, you can ask the court to change the court date. Fill out and file Request to Postpone Trial (form SC-150). There's a $10.00 fee to change the court date.

Highlight of Form SC-100 showing Plaintiff

Who is suing you

The name of the person, business, or government agency that’s suing you on page 2.

Highlight of Form SC-100 showing money owed

What the other side is asking the judge to decide

How much money the other side is asking for, and why, are written on page 2 and on any attachments.

What you can do

Come to an agreement with the other side

If you can work with the other side (and there is no restraining order involved) you may be able to come to an agreement on your own without going to court.

Go to your court date

If you disagree with all or some of what the other side is asking for or saying, you can go to the court date and give your side of the story.

Sue the other side back and go to the court date

If you think they owe you money, you can fill out, file, and serve a Defendant’s Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court (form SC-120). Then you can go to the court date and give your side of the story. If you can’t afford the filing fee, you can ask for a fee waiver.

Choose to not respond

If you were given the forms correctly (served) and don’t go to the court date, the judge will decide without your input. You will probably lose the case and owe the other side money.

Consider getting help.

This website has information to walk you through the basic process, but you may need more help. If so, you can start with the Small Claims Advisor, a free program. A Small Claims Advisor can explain other options, like what to do if you think you weren't served properly or the other side is suing you in the wrong county.

Explore your options

What's next?

Once you decide if and how you’re going to react to the other side’s papers, go to the step-by-step instructions.

Keep in mind that you may have to do something quickly. If you’re going to file a Defendant’s Claim, there's a deadline you'll need to meet.