Small Claims Court offered by King County District Court in Auburn at South Division

Court is authorized by state law to assist plaintiffs to recover money or other damages whose amount may not exceed $10,000. Filing the Claim:   Plaintiff must sign claim form in presence of the court clerk. A trial date is set and a copy of the claim is given to the plaintiff. The plaintiff must identify the defendant and provide the defendant's address and phone number (if possible).    Service of Claim Notice:   Plaintiff has the responsibility of serving notice upon the defendant not less than five days from trial date; plaintiff may not personally serve the notice, but it can be served by one of the following:  

• The Sheriff's Office
• A process server
• A person of legal age not connected to the case
• A registered or certified mail-return receipt with defendant's signature

Server must sign before a Notary Public.    Hearing: Attorneys and paralegals are excluded from appearing or participating with the plaintiff or defendant in a small claims suit unless the judge grants permission. One may consult an attorney before or after a court appearance. Parties should bring witnesses or other evidence (documents, pictures) to substantiate their claims. Default judgment may be granted to plaintiff if defendant fails to appear in court. Collection of Judgment:   If appeal is not made nor judgment paid within 20 days, plaintiff may request that the judgment be entered in the civil docket of District Court. The plaintiff may then proceed with garnishment of wages or bank accounts or place liens on personal property and real estate of the defendant (call for procedural details). Small Claims Court has no power to enforce judgments.    Appeals:  The party who filed a claim or counterclaim cannot appeal unless the amount claimed exceeds $1,000. No party may appeal a judgment where the amount claimed is less than $250.   The following steps must be taken within 30 days of the entry judgment:  

• 1) Prepare a written Notice of Appeal and file it with the District Court
• 2) Serve a copy of that notice to the other parties; file acknowledgement or affidavit of service in District Court
• 3) Deposit supervisor court filing fee ($110) either in cash, money order, or cashier's check payable to the Clerk of the Superior Court
• 4) Deposit $40 preparation fee to the District Court