Arizona has a small claims procedure that allows creditors to take quick action on money owed that does not exceed $2500. The cases are heard by either a judge or hearing officer (there is no right to a jury) who listens to each side and makes a decision that is binding on both parties. The procedures used during a small claim case are casual, so individuals can handle the case without an attorney.
If you are considering filing a small claims lawsuit, it is important to initially try to settle the dispute outside of court. Examples of types of claims that can be filed in the small claims division include:
- money debts
- personal injury
- property damage
- contracts
A cause of action must be filed within a certain time frame. The time begins to accrue from the date the events that gave rise to the action occurred. Thus, it is essential that you file your small claims action in a timely manner.
If you have questions regarding the small claims procedure or you need assistance with a matter that is outside small claims court, please contact Windtberg & Zdancewicz.
The attorneys at Windtberg & Zdancewicz, PLC, provide clients with experienced legal representation. We handle many types of business disputes on behalf of both creditors and debtors. Our attorneys handle cases from pre-litigation negotiations through litigation, obtaining and enforcing judgments to collect what our clients are owed. We are experienced in creditor’s rights including garnishments, charging orders, attachment, property execution, trustee’s sales, foreclosures, judgments, judgment collection, domestication of foreign judgments, and creditor’s issues in bankruptcy cases. If you need assistance, or are interested in learning more, please contact us at (480) 584-5660.