If themaximum is $2500 for small claims court in my state, is there another way to go about collecting over $5500 from a deliquent client?

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If themaximum is $2500 for small claims court in my state, is there another way to go about collecting over $5500 from a deliquent client?

I have 19 separate invoices totaling $5500. Client is located in nother state.

Asked on May 7, 2012 under Bankruptcy Law, Arizona

Answers:

S.L,. Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

You can file your lawsuit for breach of contract/account stated in a higher court in your state, such as Municipal or Superior Court.  Your state might have different names for the higher courts.  You can have the summons and complaint (the complaint is the lawsuit attached to the summons) served on the defendant by a process server located in or near the city where the defendant is located.  You can find process servers listed under attorney services online or in the Yellow Pages.

A lawsuit can be filed where the plaintiff resides or where the defendant resides or where the claim arose.  Your damages (the amount you are seeking to recover in your lawsuit) should include the amount you are owed plus court costs.  Court costs would include the court filing fee and process server fee.

You might also be able to file in Small Claims Court in the state where the defendant resides and appear at the hearing by telephone if that state's Small Claims Court jurisdiction allows recovery of the amount of damages you are seeking in your lawsuit.


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