{"product_id":"nj-small-claims-companion","title":"New Jersey Small Claims Companion — Checklists for Money Claims of $5,000 or Less","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttorney-reviewed by Bonnie B. Henderson, Esq.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shop is not a law firm; purchase is not representation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA plain-English companion to the \u003cstrong\u003efree\u003c\/strong\u003e New Jersey Courts Small Claims forms, for people suing for \u003cstrong\u003emoney of $5,000 or less\u003c\/strong\u003e in the Small Claims Section of Superior Court, Special Civil Part. You get a “should I file here?” guide, a plaintiff-side map of the official complaint blanks (not a reprint of the form), tenant-vs-landlord \u003cstrong\u003emoney\u003c\/strong\u003e illustrations (unreturned security deposit — possession is a different court), a filing checklist with current official fees and URLs, and hearing-and-after notes — including what identifiers you must keep off public papers. \u003cstrong\u003eNJ Courts already publishes the complaint and instruction packet at no charge.\u003c\/strong\u003e This kit does not reprint those forms. You download the current packet from njcourts.gov and file it yourself. Plum Packet is \u003cstrong\u003enot a law firm\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003enot a filing service\u003c\/strong\u003e. This is \u003cstrong\u003enot legal advice\u003c\/strong\u003e, it does \u003cstrong\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e create an attorney-client relationship, and nobody appears in court for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat’s included\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeven PDF files:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n  \u003cthead\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFile\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/thead\u003e\n  \u003ctbody\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReadme\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHow to use the kit.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDisclaimer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStandalone disclaimer. Read it first.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShould I use Small Claims?\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhen Small Claims vs. regular Special Civil (up to $20,000) vs. Law Division is the right money court; typical claim types the Judiciary lists; what Small Claims cannot do (eviction, name change, family support, malpractice, probate). Official URLs.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlaintiff complaint walkthrough\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlain-English map of the \u003cstrong\u003ekinds of blanks\u003c\/strong\u003e on official Small Claims complaint \u003cstrong\u003eCN 10532\u003c\/strong\u003e (who you are, who you are suing, amount, why they owe you, other cases, signature). Not a reprint of the form. You still download the current PDF from njcourts.gov.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLandlord examples (tenant vs. landlord, money only)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrations\u003c\/strong\u003e — not advice to sue — of tenant money claims official sources actually connect to Small Claims (unreturned security deposit of $5,000 or less; official double-recovery note). Explicitly \u003cstrong\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e eviction or possession.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFiling checklist\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCounty\/venue, which official packet to download (CN 10151 \/ CN 10148 \/ CN 10532), current filing and mail-service fees, JEDS vs. mail vs. in person, clerk service, what you must \u003cstrong\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e put on papers.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHearing and after\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWhat to bring, what official sources say if the defendant does not appear, judgment, a \u003cstrong\u003ebroad\u003c\/strong\u003e pointer to the Judiciary’s own collection brochures. Not a collection practice.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFormat: \u003cstrong\u003ePDF\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot included:\u003c\/strong\u003e the NJ Courts complaint or summons (those are free on njcourts.gov); filing or serving your case; a lawyer at the hearing; wage garnishment, bank levy, or other collection work; Special Civil cases over $5,000; eviction; name change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWho it’s for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eSomeone suing for \u003cstrong\u003emoney of $5,000 or less\u003c\/strong\u003e in New Jersey Small Claims.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eUnpaid bills, a contract that was not honored, a security deposit up to the Small Claims cap, a bad check, damaged property, or similar money claims the Judiciary lists for this court.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003ePeople who will \u003cstrong\u003edownload the current official forms\u003c\/strong\u003e, pay the court (or apply for a fee waiver), and appear on their own return date.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWho it’s not for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eClaims \u003cstrong\u003eover $5,000\u003c\/strong\u003e, eviction \/ possession, name change, family cases, wills, or professional malpractice.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAnyone who needs a lawyer to evaluate the claim or appear in court.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003eAnyone who wants Plum Packet to file, serve, collect, or show up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf any of those describe you, do not buy this kit. Use njcourts.gov or hire counsel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePrice\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e$5.00\u003c\/strong\u003e (USD). One-time download. No subscription. \u003cstrong\u003eNo court fees are bundled\u003c\/strong\u003e — you pay the Judiciary separately (as of the kit’s research date, typically \u003cstrong\u003e$45\u003c\/strong\u003e to file and have the court mail one defendant: \u003cstrong\u003e$35\u003c\/strong\u003e filing + \u003cstrong\u003e$10\u003c\/strong\u003e certified-and-regular-mail service). Confirm the current amount on njcourts.gov the day you file.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this legal advice? Am I hiring Bonnie Henderson?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNo. The kit is general information and checklists. Buying it does \u003cstrong\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e create an attorney-client relationship with Bonnie B. Henderson, Esq., with any law firm, or with Plum Packet. Plum Packet is an online shop, \u003cstrong\u003enot a law firm\u003c\/strong\u003e. Purchase does \u003cstrong\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e include representation, a consultation, review of \u003cem\u003eyour\u003c\/em\u003e papers, or anyone appearing in court. If you need advice, hire counsel separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo you file my Small Claims case for me?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNo. Plum Packet is \u003cstrong\u003enot a filing service\u003c\/strong\u003e. You download the current complaint and summons from NJ Courts and file them through JEDS, by mail, or in person. The kit tells you which official URLs to use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this the official court form?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNo. \u003cstrong\u003eNJ Courts already publishes the forms for free.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is a companion and checklist. Do not file this kit. File the Judiciary’s current packet (as of the research date, \u003cstrong\u003eCN 10151\u003c\/strong\u003e for most non-motor-vehicle money claims).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy would I pay $5 if the forms are free?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYou shouldn’t if you only want the PDF. The $5 is for plain-English sorting (Small Claims vs. Special Civil vs. Law Division), a filing checklist with verified fees and “do not put this on the form” identifier rules, and hearing notes that point back to official pages. If that is not worth $5, use njcourts.gov and skip the kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the Small Claims limit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNJ Courts: \u003cstrong\u003e$5,000 or less\u003c\/strong\u003e. Regular Special Civil Part is \u003cstrong\u003e$20,000 or less\u003c\/strong\u003e. Over $20,000 is Law Division Civil Part. Confirm on njcourts.gov before you file.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the filing fee?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAs of August 27, 2026, NJ Courts posted \u003cstrong\u003e$35\u003c\/strong\u003e for one defendant and \u003cstrong\u003e$5\u003c\/strong\u003e for each additional defendant, plus \u003cstrong\u003e$10\u003c\/strong\u003e per defendant for certified-and-regular-mail service. Typical combined total for one defendant: \u003cstrong\u003e$45\u003c\/strong\u003e. Source: Court fee schedule \u003cstrong\u003eCN 11112\u003c\/strong\u003e (revised 08\/2026) and Small Claims self-help. \u003cstrong\u003eConfirm the day you file.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use this for eviction or a security deposit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEviction \/ possession:\u003c\/strong\u003e no. That is Landlord\/Tenant, a different section. \u003cstrong\u003eSecurity deposit of $5,000 or less:\u003c\/strong\u003e NJ Courts lists that as a Small Claims money claim. Over $5,000, they say file Special Civil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill you collect the judgment?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNo. If you win, you are responsible for collection. The kit points to the Judiciary’s free collection brochure (\u003cstrong\u003eCN 10282\u003c\/strong\u003e) and related packets. It does \u003cstrong\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e include a collection practice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this kit attorney-reviewed?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAttorney-reviewed by Bonnie B. Henderson, Esq. Shop is not a law firm; purchase is not representation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDisclaimer\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis product is general information. It is \u003cstrong\u003enot legal advice\u003c\/strong\u003e. Buying it does \u003cstrong\u003enot\u003c\/strong\u003e create an attorney-client relationship with Bonnie B. Henderson, Esq., with any law firm, or with Plum Packet. \u003cstrong\u003ePlum Packet is not a law firm\u003c\/strong\u003e and does not appear in court. New Jersey fees, forms, and rules change — confirm on njcourts.gov before you file. You download the official court forms and file your own papers. Full text is in the Disclaimer PDF in the download.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOfficial forms and instructions: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.njcourts.gov\/self-help\/small-claims-court\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.njcourts.gov\/self-help\/small-claims-court\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Plum Packet","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48451513909469,"sku":"plum-packet-nj-small-claims","price":5.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/plumpacket.com\/products\/nj-small-claims-companion","provider":"Plum Packet","version":"1.0","type":"link"}