Ask a Question

Get free answers to your Small Claims legal questions from lawyers in your area.

Lawyers, increase your visibility by answering questions and getting points. Answer Questions
Washington Small Claims Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Litigation, Lemon Law and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: In WA not 30 miles after significant engine work, my car's engine caught fire destroying the vehicle.

We had $5,000 worth of work done on our car engine. The same days as picking it up, after driving not even thirty miles, the engine caught fire and totaled the car. We're working through the process with our insurance company and have informed the dealer who did the work of what happened.... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Small Claims and Business Law for Washington on
Q: Is there any legal action I can take against shop that has scammed me out of $70during an item trade and are ghosting me

It was for an item trade, we agreed on, we both send an item equal to the price of my product ($70) and they have received the item yet now are ghosting me for months now and still posting regularly on their story

0 Answers | Asked in Small Claims for Washington on
Q: regarding a potential small claims case. I have an individual who borrowed a lump sum of money an is not paying

I have a friend who borrowed a lump sum of money and is not paying. I’m wondering if it is possible to take them to small claims court even though we do not have a signed agreement.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Consumer Law and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: In small claims, what if all evidence was not presented to defendant will judge still hear the case?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 31, 2024

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week.

The short answer is that it could depend on the judge and how material to the issue at hand the missing evidence is. As a general rule nationwide in small claims, the court is not likely to grant the same...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Business Law, Internet Law and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: Need to talk with a lawyer about a lawsuit because my online earnings have been depleted when promised they would not.

My job is rating products for a commission and I have earned so much that I have gone up three levels and I need to finish a small set of rating products to receive all my earnings, but the system has welfare tasks that put your earnings

into a negative amount equal to what you have... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jun 29, 2024

I can offer some general information that may be helpful:

1. Documentation: It's positive that you have chat transcripts from customer service and the CEO stating that a welfare task would not occur before you finish your remaining tasks. This documentation could potentially be...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: landlord gave me 3 weeks notice to move, then self help removed me and property causing major losses and grief to 2 kids

kids are 8 and 10 diagnosed with a disability currently seeing psychologist for over 5 years and are continuing to show behavioral issues that are continuing to escalate due to sudden loss of home ad associated stressors. property loss of tools for profession as well hobby sports memorabilia and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 31, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear about your difficult situation. What your landlord did sounds completely unacceptable and illegal. In most places, landlords are required to provide proper written notice (usually 30-60 days) before terminating a tenancy, even without a written lease. They cannot just... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: What type of attorney to reach out to or resources in WA State to pursue dental malpractice claim (unsure if accurate).

Paid $18,000 of $22,000 bill for dental implants on top/bottom of mouth in 2022. The procedure was not completed; the top fell out within 6 mos., swallowed 2 of the top 3 implants. Went to dentist and they wanted another $16000 to complete as they needed to go into cheekbone to secure implants.... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Feb 10, 2024

Consult with experienced malpractice attorneys in the state where this occurred.

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Washington on
Q: A fast food restaurant threw my property away but won't reimburse me what can I do to get my money back
T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Sep 6, 2023

If a fast-food restaurant has disposed of your property and refuses to reimburse you, it's important to take action promptly. Start by contacting the restaurant manager or owner to discuss the issue and request reimbursement. Ensure you have evidence, such as receipts or witnesses, to support... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law, Small Claims, Real Estate Law and Construction Law for Washington on
Q: Under which Washington State laws can I sue my neighbor for building his fence onto my property?

The neighbor denied wrongdoing and blames his contractor. I hired a Surveyor to prove the fence was on my property and now I want to get him to pay for it.

Anthony M. Avery
PREMIUM
Anthony M. Avery pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 28, 2023

You will need to hire an attorney to file a Boundary Dispute. If you do not, then you will acquiesce to the new fence line as the boundary between the two adjacent properties despite the two legal descriptions. I doubt that you will be awarded any money, but you risk losing land.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: I bought a jeep back in Oct. It now has been reported stolen out of oregon . It's in my name in washingtom

What do I do now

Patrick Owen Earl
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Feb 25, 2023

If you are looking at getting charged with a criminal offense HIRE AN experience criminal defense attorney immediately

If you are in need of an attorney to explain your side of the situation to try and avoid a charge you can hire an attorney to help you through this process but there are no...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Collections, Legal Malpractice and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: A random lawyer sued me for debt that wasn’t mine and I thought it was a scam but I now owe him. Isn’t this illegal?

My fiancé got handed a random court case with my name on it stating I owed debt to places I’ve never been to or had accounts with so I thought it was a scam, but I just got another set of papers in the mail that state I now owe money to this lawyer for the debt and I don’t understand how this... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 16, 2021

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks, and those court papers your fiancé was handed could have relatively short deadlines by which a response is due. There could be a number of reasons for the court case, one being that someone made fraudulent... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Bankruptcy, Banking, Collections and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: Can we fight this and at least stop the repo?

The co signer for my car filed for bankruptcy so now the bank won’t let me pay. When I try, it says that it’s covered under the bankruptcy. Now the bank is coming after my car if I don’t pay for all the missed payments. So they won’t let me pay but now they want all the money “I owe”

Timothy Denison
Timothy Denison
answered on Sep 21, 2020

They can’t repossess your car while the co-signers automaton stay is in place. Hire a lawyer and let him straighten out the issues between you and the lender going forward.

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Washington on
Q: Do I have a small claims court case?

Rented my home to a life long friend. No written contract, just verbal agreement. She had started "remodel" projects because she said she was going to buy the house. She backed out of buying but never finished her projects. She left tons of trash, destroyed the yard and caused damage to... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Sep 26, 2020

A Washington attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for four weeks. Small claims courts nationwide have limits on dollar amounts. Until you're able to arrange a meaningful consult with an attorney in the state, you could familiarize yourselves online with the state's small... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Car Accidents and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: Dog sitter threw a party at my house ran over our dog, then moved the body to a different street to hide the evidence.

We hired a dog sitter to watch our house and dogs. They threw a party and someone hit the dog. They pulled the hose from our house, which we had put back before our departure, and washed blood from our driveway. The hose was left strewn across our yard. At this point the we don't know if the... View More

Kristina M. Bergsten
PREMIUM
Kristina M. Bergsten
answered on Jul 17, 2020

I am so sorry to hear this! That is horrendous. You can file a police report for animal neglect/abuse/cruelty (depending on your local laws) and also tampering with evidence. You can also sue this person for negligence, breach of contracts, conversion, trespass to chattels, and possibly other... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Small Claims, Federal Crimes and Military Law for Washington on
Q: I was hit by a military cop and need to file a tort claim for damages to my vehicle. Who do i file the claim with in wa?

I thought i was being pulled over so i pulled over and got rear ended by a JBLM MP who was responding to another call looking at his computer. I live in wa state.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Apr 24, 2020

If you were injured contact aWashington State Assn for Justice member member in the county where it happened--they give free consultations. If it's just damage to the car, if you have collision run it through that, let them deal with it. Start by getting estimates, and the base JAG corps... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Civil Rights and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: I was discriminated against at a Motel because I have a service dog.

After paying for a room, providing them a credit card for incidentals and being issued my room keys. The clerk at the front counter told me that I could not have the room because of my service dog. She told me that I must be put in a room specifically for dogs. I informed her it is against federal... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Mar 14, 2020

Your frustration is understandable, but the time and resources you might expend in pressing the matter will far exceed a few $10 overpayments. You could consult with a Washington attorney to discuss options, but it isn't likely to be a free initial consultation. Good luck

Tim Akpinar

1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law, Intellectual Property and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: So if someone who I live with who I have no relationship to, violates my 4 amendment right, can I create a case?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 4, 2019

The Fourth Amendment applies to unlawful searches or seizures on the part of the government. Your situation sounds like a civil matter between two individuals. Keep in mind that whatever legal remedies might be applicable here that a Washington attorney could advise about, it could be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Washington on
Q: gave x 5000 cash for future bills and paid off her car for 2200 . she kicked me out 2 months later stated money was gone

can i take her to small claims for the remaining money when it was cash and verbal agreement

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 28, 2019

A Washington attorney could advise you best, but your question remains open for two weeks. As you might guess, cash is a very difficult thing to prove. While verbal agreements can be enforceable as a general matter under contract law, it often comes down to a matter of presenting evidence to that... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Washington on
Q: I was selling a bike to a friend for 3500. She made payments up to 1500 and stop making payments. Do I pay it back?

She said she would make payments after holidays and never did. Asked if she still wanted mortocyle she never responded. So I sold the bike. It's been a year and she is now asking for bike or money back. Do I have to pay her back?

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Jan 10, 2019

I don't see any legal basis to hold onto the entire amount of the $1500 since you sold the bike. Did you have any contract that discussed failure to continue making consistent payments? Typically, where there are installment payments, the buyer takes possession of the item up front. Since no... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Civil Rights and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: How do I take legal action against a dog handler extorting me and get my dog back, and without harm to dog?

Update

verbal agreement of breeding- handler is extorting me by not returning my dog unless I give her 500 cash and sign a contract I have never seen.

Handler has had my dog for a week to breed. Handler decided she now needs a written contract, and stalled me after driving 2 hours... View More

Ali Shahrestani,
Ali Shahrestani,
answered on Dec 24, 2018

See: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.08.070. This law makes it a crime to steal or otherwise harm a pet animal in WA State. The application of this law is fact dependent. Also, it sounds like your opponent is claiming a lien on your dog, though I only know of such liens in the case... View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.