What's in the Filing Kit?
A state-specific filing guide: where to file (court name + venue rules), every required form with code and link to the current PDF, the filing fee schedule and fee-waiver eligibility, pre-suit requirements (demand letter, government claim, mediation if applicable), all allowed service-of-process methods with cost and deadlines, hearing-day preparation, and the most common pitfalls that get cases dismissed.
Will it work for my state?
Yes. We cover all 50 states plus DC. Each guide is built from your state's small-claims rules — forms, fees, statute, service methods — with county-difference notes appended where your county varies from the state default.
Do I have to use this with a CivilCase demand letter?
No. The Filing Kit is sold standalone. Whether you sent your own letter, used another service, or are skipping the letter step entirely, the kit gives you everything you need to file.
What about service of process?
The kit walks you through the three legal ways to serve the defendant in your state (sheriff, certified mail through the clerk, or process server), with the cost of each and which one is most likely to work for your specific defendant.
Can you file for me?
No — most states require the plaintiff to file in person or via the court's e-filing portal directly. We give you everything you need to do it yourself in under an hour, including which window in the courthouse to look for.
What if I lose?
Most plaintiffs who prepare properly win small claims. If the court rules against you, the loss is around $30 to $100 in filing fees (which the kit told you about up front). Many states let you appeal within 30 days, and the kit covers what that looks like.
What if I win?
Add the Post-Judgment Collection Plan ($49) to actually collect on your judgment. Winning is half the battle — collecting is the other half.
Is CivilCase a law firm?
No. We're a document-preparation service, not a law firm, and we don't provide legal advice. The Filing Kit is informational — based on public court rules and statutes — to help you represent yourself.