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Civil & Small Claims
Civil Claims
District Court has jurisdiction over the following type of civil actions if the amount does not exceed $100,000:
- actions arising on a contract for the recovery of money
- actions for damages for injuries to a person
- actions for taking, detaining or injuring personal property
- actions for an injury to real property when the suit does not involve the plaintiff's title to or possession of the real property
- actions to recover the possession of personal property
- actions for a penalty
- actions upon a bond conditioned for the payment of money
- actions on an undertaking or security bond taken by the court
- actions for damages for fraud in a sale, purchase or exchange of personal property
- proceedings to take and enter judgment upon confession of a defendant
- proceedings to issue writ of attachment, garnishment or replevin upon goods, chattels, moneys and effects
- all other actions and proceedings in which jurisdiction is specifically granted by statute, when the title to, or right of possession of, real property is not involved.
The $100,000 amount in controversy does not include interest, costs, and attorney's fees. RCW 3.66.020
The District Court does not provide any forms for civil proceedings. The Court is not allowed to give any legal advice or help in completing civil forms. You will need to research civil procedures or contact an attorney for assistance.
Small Claims
INITIATE A SMALL CLAIM ACTION:
- The amount of money you seek to recover may not exceed $10,000 in cases brought by a natural person (a natural person is defined as a human being). The limit for all other cases brought by a business, corporation, or other business entity, remains at $5,000.
- You must prepare a small claims form available from this site or in the District Court office.
- The form must be filed in the District Court office and a $35 filing fee must be paid. You can file the claim by mail by providing a signed small claim form, check or money order for $35 and a self-addressed stamped envelope to return copies back.
- Once the claim has been filed, the plaintiff must have the claim served on the defendant at least 10 days prior to the hearing date. Service may be done by: Sheriff's office, a process server, a person of legal age not connected with the case, or by certified mail, restricted delivery with a return receipt requested.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN SERVED WITH A SMALL CLAIMS ACTION:
- Review instructions on back of claim form
- You can make an out-of-court settlement with the plaintiff before the hearing date. The plaintiff must then notify the Court in writing that the case has been dismissed.
- If you have a claim against the plaintiff, you may file a counterclaim. You must file the counterclaim with a $35 filing fee
- Counterclaim must be filed per service rules.
How Do I Collect My Money?
Once the judgment is issued, the clerk will enter it into the civil docket of the court and will provide a certified copy of the judgment to the prevailing party for no additional cost. A money judgment in your favor does not necessarily mean that the money will be paid. The Small Claims Court does not collect the judgment for you.
If no appeal is taken and the judgment is not paid within 30 days, the prevailing party may seek to enforce the judgment through the collections process, which could include garnishing the defendant's wages or bank accounts; or seeking to obtain personal property of the debtor.
Remember, the clerks cannot give you legal advice so you may need the assistance of an attorney or collection agency, whose fees may be paid by the debtor.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
For more complete information regarding small claims, please visit the Washington Courts website.