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Washington Small Claims Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Small Claims for Washington on
Q: Can someone include rate of inflation and court fees in small claims if years have passed in the state of Washington?

Asking for a friend: They loaned some money to a friend in the fall of 2021. Since then they have not seen any of the money paid back. They understood that for a while, the person was going through some financial troubles. There have been several attempts from my friend to communicate with the... 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
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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
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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...
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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
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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

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: This issue pertains to tenant landlord law and the questions and situation are explained under more information

At the end of June me and a new roommate and her daughter moved into a new apartment in Bothell, WA. The apartment is leased to her and she is the only one that signed the contract. I am listed on this contract, along with her daughter, under "Occupants". Now that I am needing to move... View More

Marjorie Simmons
Marjorie Simmons
answered on Aug 25, 2016

Do you have a copy of what was signed? What does the fine print say? It sounds as if your former roommate may have had the expectation that you would contribute to the rent payment when the two of you entered into the rental arrangement. If so and if she would not have leased the apartment... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Small Claims for Washington on
Q: I hired a mover to move me from OR to WA. He disappeared and took my $600 deposit. Where can I file a lawsuit?

I was talking to the guy daily right up until the night before the move. Morning of the move he ghosted on me. For two weeks he ignored many calls and texts until I threatened legal action. I also wrote an honest (bad) review of his business online and now he's pissed, and threatening to not... View More

Marjorie Simmons
Marjorie Simmons
answered on Sep 13, 2016

How vexing an experience for you that must be. You'll want to read the UTC's page on movers at: http://www.utc.wa.gov/consumers/movers/Pages/default.aspx. Movers must be licensed. Call them to make a complaint at 888-333-WUTC (9882) and see their moving publications at... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for Washington on
Q: Can I take the buyer of my property to small claims court for accumulated late fees?

The property contract I carry states a late fee charge of $167.00 if payment is posted 10 days after the due date. Buyers have been late 7 times out 9 months in 2015. This amounts to $ 1,169.00. They have ignored Late Fee notifications.

I live in Washington State where the property was... View More

Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
answered on Sep 10, 2015

Perhaps, but you might want to foreclose the contract and evict them instead. That would not be within small claims jurisdiction.

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