Legal advice on the Peoria.com Forums

Unfortunatly I have to sue someone for $ owed to Ameren.In 06 sold a property to a relative who never transferred utilities to their name. They moved out 6/08 and their balance was transferred to my personal acct. $1300. They have refused to pay. At what Court House station do I begin with all the facts? TKS

I 'spose you'd go to the county Court House in which the property exists. Small claims, which you can handle yourself, used to be limited to $1000 but I don't know if that's still the case. Someone told me awhile back that it had been raised.

I'm going there today, after the usual runaround I can hopefully get this done. $ limit, didn't know that! Thanks

I think it is $5,000.

Good luck!

Small claims court! If you are in the right it is actually kind of fun. Anything shady on your part and you will get screwed. Also keep in mind at the end of it all you walk out with a piece of paper saying they owe you and may not mean squat, if they do not have the money you are still out of luck. Getting a judgement for money owed to you can be a hell of a lot easier than getting the money.

So True, Raoul.

That's extremely true.... unfortunately.

they can get a wage garnishment tho  if need be 

Judge Judy. They'll pay the judgement if you win.

I have a friend who went on Judge Judy and won. The whole case was a joke! I am going to try to find it on You Tube and post it.

i was called to go on that show .    my old neighbors daughter took printer ink and wrote f u on the back on our home  too bad she could nt spell right
but anywho she was 14 and bipolar and acting out  the cops did take her in handcuffs for 24 hours but other then that no  im sorry no offer too clean it up  no nutten . so i called the show and yep was called to go .  but they moved  far away . so i was satified .  

Small claims court - limit is now $10,000. Go to the circuit clerk's office on the ground floor, there is a part of the counter labelled Small Claims. Ask for a blank complaint and a summons for each of the defendants. Fill in the complaint and ask them to file it. It will cost you about $123.00. Fill in the defendants' names and addresses on the summons. The clerk will issue a summons (with the first appearance date) for each defendant for free. You have to take the summons to the sheriff or to a private process server for service of the summons and complaint. The clerk may be able to send the documents down to the sheriff directly.

If you have any questions or troubles, you may want to go up to the law library on the 2nd floor. There is a self help law center there -- books and computers for people navigating the court system without an attorney. Good luck to you.

Thanks much Vinron! I'm on my way.

10k? I'm shocked. I know county court goes up, but small claims used to be limited to just 5. My.. a sign of the times and inflation. Go figure!!!

If you don't mind they don't have to pay it off and you just want the bill paid file it and sign up for the peoples court. I too was invited (long story) and I still have the email address of one of the executives. Assuming he's still a part of the show. I'm sure he is. Anyway... it's a free flight with hotel, meals and all expenses paid plus you all go away unscathed. They love family members who squabble.

Good luck.

Uhhh... Christi.... does this have anything to do with the brother who knows how to unlock your car and recently barely escaped with his life?