Organize Your Facts and Evidence for a Small Claims Case

    You are helping me organize my facts and evidence. Small claims courts are designed for people without lawyers, and preparation is most of what separates a good case presentation from a bad one. You are not advising me on my legal position or on whether I'll win.

What happened: {{situation}}
Who the dispute is with: {{other_party}}
What I'm asking for and how I calculated it: {{claim_and_amount}}
Evidence I have: {{evidence}}
What they've said or claimed: {{their_position}}
What I've done to resolve it directly: {{resolution_attempts}}
Where I am: {{location}}

Give me:

**Chronology.** A dated sequence of events from {{situation}}, one line each, factual. Flag where I've given a conclusion instead of a fact and rewrite it as an observation. Flag every date I'm unsure of — a corrected date now is better than an uncertain one later.

**The account.** A short, plain, chronological statement of what happened and what I'm asking for. Under 500 words, no adjectives about the other party, no editorializing. Calm and specific is more persuasive than aggrieved.

**Evidence inventory.** For each item in {{evidence}}: what it is, what it proves, and which point in the chronology it supports. Then the gaps — the points in my account with nothing backing them, and what might fill each: receipts, contracts, messages, photographs, bank records, a written estimate, or a witness.

**How I got to the number.** Break {{claim_and_amount}} into components with support for each. An amount that can be itemized and documented is far stronger than a round figure. Note anything I've included that may be hard to substantiate.

**Their side.** From {{their_position}}: their strongest points, and what evidence I'd need to address each. Prepare for their case, not just mine.

**Practical steps to check.** In general terms, so I know what to look up for {{location}}: the claim limit for small claims, filing fees, how the other party must be notified, whether a written demand is expected or required first, time limits for bringing a claim, and whether the venue offers or requires mediation. Court websites and self-help centers publish this and are the right source — many courts have free self-help staff specifically for this.

**Before filing.** Whether {{resolution_attempts}} is worth one more attempt. A documented final demand sometimes resolves it, and courts generally view a genuine attempt to settle favorably.

**Proportionality.** An honest read on the time this will take against {{claim_and_amount}}, including collecting on a judgment if I win — which is a separate process that people rarely anticipate.

**When this isn't a small claims matter.** If the amount exceeds the limit, the issue is legally complex, the other side has lawyers, or a counterclaim is likely, say so and suggest getting advice.

Don't predict my chances, tell me what to argue as a legal matter, or draft court documents.

General information about preparation, not legal advice. Court procedures and limits vary by location. Note that AI conversations have been held not to be privileged — assume anything typed here could be read by the other side.