Small Claims Court Preparation Checklist
A practical, jurisdiction-general checklist for preparing a small claims case — evidence, witnesses, and what to expect at the hearing — plus where rules and dollar limits vary by state.
Read the guide →Guides for self-represented litigants
Representing yourself in court, small claims, or arbitration means doing the preparation a lawyer would usually handle: organizing your evidence, learning the procedure, and getting ready to answer hard questions out loud. These free, plain-English guides walk through that work step by step. Each one explains general rules and practical techniques, links to the official court and rules sources it relies on so you can check the details for your own case, and points out where requirements vary by state, court, or arbitration provider. Every guide shows when it was last reviewed. They are legal information for educational purposes, not legal advice — for advice about your situation, talk to a licensed attorney, a legal aid office, or your court's self-help center.
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Mock Hearing Practice: How to Rehearse Before You Represent Yourself
Why rehearsing your hearing out loud — with someone playing the judge, arbitrator, or opposing counsel — is one of the highest-value ways to prepare when you're representing yourself, and how to structure a practice session.
Read the guide →How to Prepare for a Court Hearing Pro Se
A step-by-step checklist for preparing for a court hearing when you're representing yourself — from understanding the courtroom's basic rules to organizing evidence and knowing what to expect on the day.
Read the guide →How to Prepare for Arbitration Without a Lawyer
A plain-English walkthrough of consumer arbitration for people without a lawyer — what AAA and JAMS say about self-representation, how the process differs from court, and how to get ready.
Read the guide →Deposition Preparation for Self-Represented Litigants
What a deposition actually is, what Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 30 says about how they work, and how to prepare when you're representing yourself as either the witness or the one asking questions.
Read the guide →Can I Use AI to Represent Myself in Court?
What courts have actually said about self-represented people using AI tools to prepare — the real risk of fabricated citations, why you're still responsible for accuracy, and how to use AI safely.
Read the guide →Welcome to Justice Genie — a calmer way to prepare your case
What Justice Genie does, who it's for, and how to get the most out of it when you're representing yourself.
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