Stop getting ripped off by by businesses (or individuals) that either do shoddy work or they goof up and refuse to correct their error. You are not without rights! You can take your problem to a special court (which exists in every county in the United States).This special court is called, Small Claims Court. In some states, the small claims court is called "Magistrate's Court". Sometimes, it's referred to as the People's Court. No matter what it's called, it is a very informal

court and offers a quick and inexpensive way to resolve disputes.

Here are some examples of problems often taken to the small claims court:

1. A tenant refuses to pay for damages in excess of the security deposit
2. A dry cleaner refuses to pay for lost or damaged clothing
3. A business refuses to replace, repair, or refund faulty merchandise.

Some cases cannot be heard in small claims court. For example, the court cannot order someone to do something or refrain from doing something. You would need to go to a higher court to accomplish this.

• If the damages you are asking for exceed the court limits, then you have to use a different court,

  and this usually involves the assistance of a lawyer.

• The court only awards money damages The court cannot order, for example, a store to deliver the television set you paid for and never received.
• The court cannot order that your ex-husband be restrained from harassing you.

If you are bringing the lawsuit on, you are the "Plaintiff". If you are the one being sued, you are the Defendant".

As the Plaintiff, you have to determine the proper person to sue. Sometimes, determining the right person to sue is not so easy. If you are suing the following:

1. Individual - There may not be a problem here. Simply get their correct name

   and address.

2. Sole Proprietor - Suppose that Jim Smith owns and runs a business called

   "Jim's Bicycle Shop". If it's a sole proprietor form of business, you need to sue

   Jim Smith, not the business.

3. Partnership - You need to get the names of the partners as usually all the

   partners are responsible for the obligations of the partnership.

4. Corporation - When you sue a corporation, you will need the name and address of

   the Registered Agent or Officer You need this as this is the person who has to be served with the

   notification of the lawsuit.

If you can