Acknowledgments vi
Foreword
Disclaimer
I. INTRODUCTION
Why you need this book
Does this sound like you?
The goals and applicability of this book
How this book is organized
II. THE LEGAL TERMS STEP-BY-STEP
III. DECIDING WHETHER SMALL CLAIMS COURT IS RIGHT APPROACH
Considerations in choosing not to initiate a Small Claims Court action
Confrontation: an enlightening story
Considerations and criteria for choosing to initiate a Small Claims Court action
Why do it yourself (pro se)?
When you should see a lawyer
The kit of forms for Small Claims Court (SCC) by state: NY, NJ, CT
Part I: WINNING YOUR JUDGMENT
IV.THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING A JUDGMENT
Preparation
Filling out your initial (statement of) claim form
Efficiency in filing your initial claim form and scheduling your hearing
Filing the initial claim form
Obtaining documents held by the defendant or other persons that you believe will
help you prove your case
Compelling an unwilling (possibly helpful) witness to testify
Using the court calendar to your advantage
Pre-hearing attempts to settle
A micro preview of a typical evening in Small Claims Court
V.TWELVE SCENARIOS AFTER YOU FILE AN INITIAL CLAIM FORM
VI.ALL ABOUT THE COURTROOM HEARING
Presenting your case before the arbitrator
Testimony -- what is not permitted
Sending staff to stand in for the boss: Christine's story
In-office record keeping
VII.COUNTERING THE COUNTERCLAIM
Counterclaims and fairy tales: a story without a moral
The counterclaim in perspective: threats, bluffing and reality
The objection and other useful tools in the counterclaim
VIII.WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR JUDGMENT
Finding your debtor's assets and starting to garnish his/her salary (income) or
execute against his/her property (bank account, etc.)
Choosing the right approach to collect on your judgment
The easiest approach (using just the home address)
Impair credit (using just the home address)
Garnish debtor’s salary (using just the work address)
Levy the debtor’s bank account (using just the name of their bank)
Threatening letters to the debtor

IX.QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
CHART I: Schematic overview of the process, from unpaid bill to payment of fee using
the judgmentas an instrument of leverage.
CHART II: Putting your judgment to work with minimal effort

Part II: COLLECTING ON YOUR JUDGMENT

LIST OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX A: Addresses, Telephone Numbers and other Information of Importance
Pertaing to SmallClaims Courts, Libraries, Bar Associations, Sheriff’s and County Clerk’s Offices, Appeals Courts, Marshal’s Offices, Process Servers
and Asset Locators
APPENDIX B: Income Execution to Garnish Debtor's Salary and Property Execution When You KnowDebtor's Bank
APPENDIX C: Registering Your Debtor’s Judgment in the County Clerk’s Office
APPENDIX D: The Subpoena for Records
APPENDIX E: Procedures That Release the Debtor After You Collect the Fee/Debt 127
APPENDIX F: Subpoena for Information and Restraining Order 129
APPENDIX G: Appealing a Decision Rendered by a Judge in Small Claims Court 133
APPENDIX H: The Location/Tel. Nos. of Small Claims Court in the States of NY, NJ, CT 145
APPENDIX I: Collecting When Your Debtor Has Moved to NY, NJ or CT 151
LIST OF FORMS 156
FORMS 1-53: 107 sides, sequentially numbered in the lower right corner of side one 165
Afterword 273
Bibliography 276
INDEX 277
Order Form 287

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