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Small Claims Court. Do You Need An Attorney?

On behalf of greg

Many people have cases that involve “smaller” amounts of money that they may not think will require an attorney. However, the term “small claims” is misleading, because in many cases, the money involved is significant. At Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., our knowledgeable and experienced team is ready to help you understand whether you need an attorney to help with your small claims court case in Philadelphia. Let us look into the fact of your case and determine the best path forward.

What are small claims cases?

When it comes to recovering damages for lower amounts of money, there are courts set up to handle the cases. These are called “small claims” courts. Specifically, these courts handle cases that are for less than $12,000 in Philadelphia. There are several issues that can be handled in a small claims court in lieu of going to a “bigger court.” This can include:

  • The collection of bad debt
  • Failure to meet the terms of a service contract
  • Landlord/tenant disputes
  • Failure to fix a vehicle or an appliance correctly
  • Return of a security deposit owed
  • Property damaged during cleaning
  • Repayment of a small loan
  • Personal injury matters

Why would you need an attorney for small claims court?

It is purely a personal decision of whether or not to have an attorney help with a small claims case. For lower amounts, it may not even make sense to secure a lawyer. However, most people do not have any legal training, and even the small claims courts can become confusing.

Even though the small claims process is less formal than regular court proceedings, that does not mean that a well-reasoned argument will not have an effect on the case. Your attorney will:

  • Examine all of the evidence in your case
  • Present it to the court
  • Defend you against false claims from other parties in the case

If you are seeking compensation from someone, the process can seem overwhelming, especially when you are owed up to $12,000. That is not a small sum. Conversely, if someone is seeking compensation from you in a small claims court, your attorney will vigorously defend you against the claim.

Whether you are in Philadelphia city limits matters

Handling small claims courts in Philadelphia is different than those outside of the city limits. The Philadelphia Municipal Court hears small claims cases within the city limits, while cases filed outside of the city limits will be filed within the district the incident occurred. You can see a list of Magisterial District Courts by clicking here.

We are here to help move your case forward

If you or a loved one are going through the small claims process, please consider seeking legal advice with your case. At Soloff & Zervanos, P.C., our qualified and experienced team will examine the facts of your case and work to secure the compensation you need. This can include:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Rent owed
  • Security deposits
  • Property damage
  • Other home and business dealings

When you need a small claims attorney in Philadelphia, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 215-929-7216.