Are there time limits in which a small claims court case must be filed?
Yes, states establish rules called "statutes of limitations" that dictate how long you may wait to initiate a lawsuit after the key event giving rise to the lawsuit occurs or, in some instances, is discovered. Statutes of limitations rules apply to all courts, including small claims.

You'll almost always have at least 1 year to sue (measured from the event or, sometimes, from its discovery). Often, you'll have much longer. There may be extenuating circumstances that lengthen or shorten the established Statute of Limitation - this is where a review by a lawyer may be of great benefit. If you're planning to sue a state or local government agency, however, you'll usually need to file a formal claim with that agency within 3 to 6 months of the incident. Only after your initial timely complaint is denied are you eligible to file in small claims court.

If some time has passed since the incident giving rise to your lawsuit occurred -- for example, after the breach of a written contract or a personal injury -- you may need to do a little research to determine whether you can still file your claim. Check your state's legal code under the index heading "statute of limitations."

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1. Can any kind of case be resolved in small claims court?
2. Are there time limits in which a small claims court case must be filed?
3. How much can I sue for in small claims court?
4. Where should I file my small claims lawsuit?
5. What can I do to resolve my problem with out going to small claims court?
6. Will I get paid if I win the lawsuit?
7. If I'm sued in small claims court but the other party is really at fault, can I countersue?
8. What should I do to prepare my small claims case?
9. What's the best way to present my case to a judge?
10. Can I bring a lawyer to small claims court?
11. Will my witnesses need to testify in person in small claims court?
12. If I lose my case in small claims court, can I appeal?