NCJ Number
55573
Date Published
Unknown
Length
22 pages
Annotation
A PAMPHLET PREPARED BY THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER PROTECTION, KENTUCKY ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, EXPLAINS HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT.
Abstract
IN EVERYDAY LANGUAGE THE PAMPHLET EXPLAINS HOW SMALL CLAIMS COURT WORKS IN KENTUCKY, WHO CAN USE THE SMALL CLAIMS PROCEDURE, AND WHAT KINDS OF CLAIMS MAY BE FILED. POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN DECIDING WHETHER TO FILE A CLAIM ARE NOTED, AS IS THE INFORMATION PLAINTIFFS SHOULD HAVE BEFORE FILING. THE FILING PROCESS IS DESCRIBED IN FOUR STEPS. INFORMATION IS PRESENTED ON THE FOLLOWING: COST OF FILING; OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO SMALL CLAIMS DEFENDANTS (DEFAULT, SETTLEMENT, REMOVAL TO ANOTHER COURT, CONTINUANCE); AND MEASURES PLAINTIFFS SHOULD TAKE BEFORE APPEARING IN COURT (GATHERING EVIDENCE AND WITNESSES, REVIEWING THE FACTS OF THE CASE, OBSERVING A SMALL CLAIMS HEARING, BEING CERTAIN THE DEFENDANT HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE SUIT). TRIAL PROCEDURES ARE DESCRIBED BRIEFLY. INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENTERING COUNTERCLAIMS, COLLECTING ON JUDGMENTS, AND APPEALING JUDGMENTS ARE INCLUDED. THE MOST IMPORTANT STEPS IN THE SMALL CLAIMS PROCESS ARE HIGHLIGHTED IN A CHECKLIST. A SAMPLE SMALL CLAIMS COMPLAINT FORM AND A CONSUMER HOTLINE NUMBER ARE PROVIDED.