Contract Disputes
Complete guide to handling contract and agreement disputes in small claims court.
Contract & Agreement Disputes
Written contracts, verbal agreements, and service disputes are common in small claims court. Get money owed when promises are broken.
What Small Claims CAN Handle
- •Written contracts not honored (services, goods, loans)
- •Verbal agreements broken (within provable terms)
- •Service not delivered as promised
- •Non-payment for services rendered
- •Small business disputes (invoices, deliveries)
- •Personal loans not repaid
What Requires Different Courts
- •Complex commercial contracts (multi-party, international)
- •Contracts with mandatory arbitration clauses
- •Claims exceeding state small claims limits
- •Employment contracts (usually labor board)
- •Real estate purchase agreements
- •Injunctions or specific performance requests
Common Scenarios
Written Contract Not Honored
You signed a contract for goods or services, paid in full or partially, but the other party failed to deliver what was promised in the agreement.
Verbal Agreement Broken
You made an oral agreement for services or a personal loan, the other party agreed, but they did not follow through. Witnesses or partial performance help prove this.
Non-Payment for Services
You completed work as agreed - freelance, consulting, or small business services - but the client refuses to pay or stopped responding after delivery.
Small Business Disputes
B2B disputes over unpaid invoices, goods not delivered as ordered, or service agreements where one party did not meet their obligations.
Evidence You Should Gather
Contract cases are won with documentation. The more proof you have of the agreement and breach, the stronger your case.
Contract Documents
- Signed contracts or agreements
- Written proposals or quotes accepted
- Invoices and purchase orders
- Terms of service or scope of work
- Any amendments or change orders
Communications
- Emails discussing the agreement
- Text messages confirming terms
- Letters or written requests
- Demand letter sent before filing
- Any responses or excuses received
Payment Records
- Bank statements showing payments
- Canceled checks or money orders
- Credit card statements
- Payment app records (Venmo, Zelle, etc.)
- Receipts for any partial payments
Proof of Performance
- Delivery confirmations
- Photos of completed work
- Time logs or work records
- Witness statements
- Client approvals or sign-offs
Critical Contract Dispute Information
Pro Tip: Keep All Communications
Save every email, text, and voicemail. Even informal messages confirming work was completed or payment was due can be powerful evidence.
Prove Your Performance
Show that you held up your end of the deal. Time sheets, delivery receipts, photos of work, or client approvals all demonstrate you fulfilled your obligations.
Example Case + How This Site Helps
Example: You paid a deposit for services that were never delivered.
A vendor took a $2,000 deposit under a written agreement, missed deadlines, and stopped responding. You want your deposit and related losses back.
Typical claim range: $1,000-$5,000
What to collect first
- Signed agreement, invoice, and proof of payment
- Timeline of missed milestones and follow-up attempts
- Demand letter and delivery confirmation
Confirm fit and priorities
Start with the quiz so the app can steer you toward the right dispute flow and state rules.
Take the quizOrganize evidence and timeline
Use Case Manager to track facts, deadlines, and uploads so your story is clear and ready for court.
Open Case ManagerPrepare your pre-filing package
Generate a demand letter and supporting documents to improve settlement chances before filing.
Build demand packagePlan filing and hearing prep
Use filing guidance, calendar, and statement tools so you can submit correctly and present clearly.
Review filing stepsReady to Assess Your Contract Dispute?
Take our intake quiz to organize your facts, evidence, and see if small claims is right for your situation.
Related Resources
Legal Disclaimer
This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Laws vary by state and locality, and information may be outdated. No attorney-client relationship is created. Consult a licensed attorney for advice about your specific situation. See our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.