help! i have to go to sm claims court how do i prepare for the pretrial hearing it's for debt i owe?

Question

what info do i need how do i prepare? the other side has an attorney. my state does not allow attorneys in sm claims. will i be taken advantage of?

Answer 1

If you really owe it the judge will want you to work out some sort of payment schedule with the creditor before the trial. You cold set it up before the hearing. Be prepared to justify not meing able to pay much per month and bring enough for a first payment and you can probably work it out in the hall before the hearing. If not the pretrial hearing is just getting the trial scheduled etc - you don't need much for that. The trial is when you need all the info.

In the long run the judge will usually order a reasonable payment schedule in view of your resources so be sure to negotiate one yourself or go to trial.

Answer 2

You have already answered your question. You say it is for a debt that you owe. That's pretty much their whole case. You owe the debt. If this is correct, the petitioner will be granted a judgment against you. This is enforceable through many different avenues. Taken advantage of? How can this be when the entire proceedings are about your creditor being taken advantage of. You will most likely have to pay all attorney fees, cost of court, pre, and post judgment interest. Advice= Call the debtor's attorney immediately, and settle out of court, it is the only thing that will save you any money, and possibly your credit being damaged. GL

Answer 3

go sober. Look the judge in the eye. You might be taken advantage of if your not allowed to have an attorney. That sounds very unreasonable that you can't have an attorney, mention that point to the judge.

Answer 4

You don't need an attorney or Lawyer, you can prepare yourself as per the facts of the case, write all the details from begining of the matter and give the right answers to yourself,& write on paper & keep this paper with your self, to remember in the court, you will be getting advantage in your case, becouse you are defending your case yourself without lawyer, refuse to answer the questions which will incriminate you, tell judge I refuse to answer this question, becouse may be my answer will criminate me, say this question is , immaterial,irrelevent and irregular, I refuse to answer, may be it will help. All the best.

Answer 5

go to findlaw.com, you will be able to pull up similar cases. Why can't you have an attorney, but they can? You could also visit a legal library, they have them in most court houses, they are helpful. Plus there they may be able to help you find the forms you will need. Yes if you don't check it out they will take advantage of you.

Answer 6

in many cases your divorce resolves all awesome concerns from the marriage . They dont desire you going lower back to courtroom as you think of of extra stuff, so there is in many cases a freelance on all concerns. If there isnt then the attorneys didnt do a stable job , yet you may sue in small claims or the different courtroom. infant help and custody can purely be heard in kinfolk courtroom.

Answer 7

If you've already paid the debt and are being wrongfully sued, bring your proof of payment.

But if you've stiffed someone of the money you owe them, pay up. If you won't do it voluntarily, the judge will make you.

Answer 8

if small claims doesnt let attorneys in why does the other side have one? contact a lawyer and ask them to consult with you on what you should do

Answer 9

there is no pretrial for small claims.do you owe ?if you do no amount of preparation will help.write back tomorrow with some details .i might be able to help

Answer 10

Why do you come in here and whine and cry about a debt you say you owe? why not be responsible and pay it. I get so tired of people running up a bill and then not paying it. do you expect me to feel bad for you because your too sorry to face your obligations?