Just realized how long it can take to get a small claims case through the system

I filed a small claims case against a client who never paid me for a big cleaning job I did back in March. Thought it would be a quick thing, maybe a month or two tops. It's been 5 months now and we still haven't had a court date. Between the filing fees, having to serve papers twice because the address was wrong, and the court just being backed up, I'm out like $200 and a lot of patience. Has anyone else dealt with this dragging out way longer than you expected?

3 comments

3 Comments

stellachen27d ago

oh man, this is just how everything works now honestly. you think it’s gonna be quick and then you’re stuck waiting for months because nobody’s in a hurry but you. i feel like the whole system is just built on this idea that your time doesn’t matter unless you’re the one getting paid.

averymartin15d agoTop Commenter

Yeah that "your time doesn't matter" line hits different now. I used to trust the process but not anymore.

the_holly27d ago

Ngl court systems are a total joke with timing. I had a case where I was just waiting for a date to appear and it took 8 months. The delay cost me more in lost work time than what I was even suing for. Small claims feels like it should be fast but its anything but.