How long does it take to pursue a claim in small claims court?

It typically takes about two to three months to pursue a claim in small claims court in California. First, you need to file your claim with the court clerk. This includes filling out a form with basic details about you, the defendant and the claim. The clerk will then give you the date and time of your hearing. Next, you must serve the defendant with your claim and related documents. The defendant then has the opportunity to respond. The court may also require you to attend a "mandatory settlement conference" before the hearing. During this conference, you and the defendant will discuss the case and may try to reach a settlement agreement. Once the mandatory settlement conference is done, the court will assign a hearing date. Your hearing will be presided over by a judge or commissioner. The judge or commissioner will hear both sides of the case and make a decision. Depending on the complexity of the case, the hearing may take 10 minutes to several hours. If the judge or commissioner needs more time to make a decision, you may be asked to come back to court on a different date. Once the judge or commissioner has made a decision, it will become final. Depending on the complexity of the case, the entire process of pursuing a claim in small claims court can take anywhere from two to three months.

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How long does it take to pursue a claim in small claims court?

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