Small Claims Advising

Welcome to The Law Office of Jacklyn Bentley, your Trusted Source for Small Claims Advisement in California.

Small Claims Court can be an intimidating process, but with the right guidance and knowledge, you can effectively present your case and increase your chances of a successful outcome. I understand that being prepared and knowing all the steps involved before the hearing is crucial, and that’s where I come in.  

I have previously helped individuals through the small claims process with matters involving personal injury, neighbor disputes, fence disputes, invasion of privacy, nursing home thefts, hospital property thefts, car/truck/camper/motor home repair billing disputes, HOA disputes, storage unit thefts, home repair billing disputes, and landlord disputes.  Small claims matters are varied and can arise in any situation.  You don’t need to find an attorney to do smaller cases like these for you and take a huge piece of your recovery; you just need a helping hand.

I will walk you through the entire process for a small flat fee.  This includes helping you make an effective demand for payment, or responding to a demand, in an effort to avoid filing a lawsuit at all.  I will educate you on the appropriate and best strategies to employ when seeking compensation or defending against a demand. My goal is to empower you with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively communicate your demands and increase your chances of a favorable outcome at an early stage.

If an early demand, or defense to a demand, does not work, then I can help you with the next steps in the process including preparing the right forms to file your lawsuit or defense with the Court.  In fact, I will even draft these forms for you.  You can then file them with easy to follow instructions and the confidence that they are correct.  If you do not want to file them yourself, ask me to file them for you!

My service does not stop at helping you file your documents, though.  I will walk you through the daunting process of serving the other party. Next, l will help make sure service is correct and you submit the proper documents to the Court.  This is critical in any case and can mean the difference between one appearance in court and unnecessary repeat appearances.  

Once filing and service are complete, I will work with you so that you are fully prepared for your hearing.  Understanding the dynamics of the hearing itself is another crucial aspect of my small claims advisement. I will guide you on who asks questions and when and then help you anticipate and prepare for the opposing party’s questions. Knowing what questions will be asked and what questions you should ask can make a significant difference in presenting your case convincingly.  

No preparation is complete without also understanding the importance of documentation.  I will guide you on the types of documents you need to bring to support your case, whether it’s receipts, contracts, photographs, or other relevant evidence. I will then prepare you to properly organize and present these documents to significantly strengthen your argument and help the judge understand the merits of your claim.

Most importantly, with my help, you will walk into your hearing day knowing that you have prepared a strong and persuasive argument. I will guide you on how to emphasize what judges are looking for and how to effectively present your case in court. Years of litigation experience have given me a deep understanding of the factors that influence judges’ decisions and I will provide you with the tools and strategies to highlight the key elements of your claim.

At The Law Office of Jacklyn Bentley, I am committed to providing comprehensive small claims advisement services in the Bay Area and beyond.  With my guidance, you can feel confident and empowered throughout the entire process, from preparation to the actual hearing. Contact me today to schedule a consultation and let me help you achieve a successful outcome in your small claims case.