Seek official court information or qualified legal advice for urgent safety matters, eviction possession, bankruptcy, appeals, injunctions, criminal matters, complex title disputes, or claims above the applicable limit.
How to route the dispute correctly
Use the official court index for your state: it names the proper division for the type of dispute you have. Claims above the small-claims amount limit need a higher-division filing; some matters, such as eviction possession or an injunction, need their own specialized filings. Consumer-protection complaints against a licensed business usually have a separate route documented by the regulator, not by a court checklist.
Verify before you file
Three things decide the correct filing route: the amount in dispute, the parties, and the relief you are asking for. Confirm the limit and the court type on the official self-help page for your state, then use the matching form packet from that court or agency.