Small claims courts exist for the purpose of resolving simple disputes quickly and economically, and they are considered courts of limited jurisdiction. Parties are typically not represented by attorneys in small claims court actions. The procedures in small claims court are much more informal than in other types of litigation. The judgment is usually rendered immediately after the hearing. Appeal rights for both plaintiffs and defendants are limited.

There is an abundance of assistance available for filing your claim in small claims court. It is generally assumed that an individual or small business owner will be filing a small claims action without the benefit of an attorney, and as such, most states provide information and assistance to parties involved in those actions. For a comprehensive list of links to each state's self-help resources and information centers, go to the National Center for State Court's Web site. For a guide to Small Claims Court where information is provided about each state's rules and requirements, go to ConsumerAffairs.com.