Fill and Sign the State of Alabama Statement of Claim Unified Judicial System Form

State of Alabama Unified Judicial System Form SM-1 (front) Rev. 3/95 STATEMENT OF CLAIM (Complaint) General Case Number IN THE SMALL CLAIMS CO URT OF _________________________________________________________________, ALABAMA (Name of County) __________________________________________ v._______________________________________ Plaintiff Defendant Plaintiff’s Defendant’s Home Address Home Address Plaintiff’s Attorney’s Additional Address Defendant(s) and Add resses NOTICE TO EACH DEFENDANT – READ CAREFULLY YOU ARE BEING SUED IN THE SMALL CLAIMS COURT BY THE PLAINTIFF(S) SHOWN ABOVE. THE JUDGE HAS NOT YET MADE ANY DEC ISION IN THIS CASE, AND YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL TO TELL YOUR SIDE. HOWEVER, IF YOU, OR YOUR LAWYER, FAIL TO FILL OUT THE ENCLOSED ANSWER FORM AND DELIVER OR MAIL IT TO THE CLERK AT THE ADDRESS SHOWN BELOW, SO THAT IT WILL GET TO THE CLERK’S OFFICE WITHIN FOURTEEN (14) DAYS AFTER YOU RECEIVE THESE PAPERS, A JUDGMENT CAN BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU FOR THE MONEY OR P ROPERTY DEMANDED IN THE FOLLOWING COMPLAINT, ONCE A JUDGMENT HAS BEEN ENTERED AGAINST YOU, YOUR PAYCHECK CAN BE G ARNISHED AND/OR YOUR HOME OR PROPERTY SOLD TO SATISFY THAT JUDGMENT. COMPLAINT 1. I claim the defendant owes the pl aintiff the sum of $____________________ because: 2. Plaintiff also claims from the defendant court costs in the sum of $ ________________________ (see note below, plus $__________________ for interest and $________________ for lawyers’ fees (onl y if plaintiff is represented by a licensed, practicing attorney and if the contra ct or note you signed so provides.) NOTE: The total amount of court costs may be more than this amount w hen the case is finally settled. The clerk will inform you of any additional costs at the close of the case. CLERK’S ADDRESS: _____________________________________________ ________ Plaintiff or Plaintiff ’s Attorney (Signature) Attorney Code __________________________ _____________________________________________________ Plaintiff’s or Plaintiffs Attorney’s Phone Number Clerk’s Phone No. _______________________________ ( See instructions on the Back) Date of Filing_________________________________________ Form SM-1 (back) Rev. 3/95 INSTRUCTIONS TO THE PLAINTIFF’S This is your case, and if you are acting as your own lawyer, y ou are responsible in seeing that your claim is successfully pres ented at each stage of the procedur e until it is concluded. The clerk of the court has a brochure which tells you how to handle a Small Claims case. This brochure is free to you on reques t.. 1. You must complete one of these forms for each defendant you wish to sue. Each defendant must be described by his/her correct legal name and address (not a post office box). Be as br ief as possible but include every important name, date and place 2. To start your case you must file the completed form with the clerk assigned to Sma ll Claims cases. The clerk will stamp a copy for you to show that the case has been filed and will insert the number of the case on the front of this form. 3. You are responsible for seeing that eac h defendant receives a copy of this form. If you haven’t heard from anyone about the case in about fourteen days, then check with the clerk’s office, to ma ke sure that each defendant has been served. 4. If any of the defendants ask for a trial y ou will be notified of the place, the date, and the time. You must be present or your case will be dismissed. You may take a judgment by default fourteen (14) days after the defendant has received a copy of this form, if the defendant fa ils to file his/her Answer. 5. You are responsible to see to the enforcement of any judgment that is awarded to you. The Small Claims brochure will tell you how to go about recovering your money. It is not the re sponsibility of the court or the clerk to collect the judgment for you. ANY TIME YOU CONTACT THE CLERK ABOUT THIS CASE YO U MUST REFER TO THE CASE NUMBER ON THE FRONT. INSTRUCTIONS TO SHERI FF OR PROCESS SERVER To Any Sheriff or Any Person Authorized by Rule 4.1(b)(1) or 4.1(b)(2) of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure to Effect Service in the State of Alabama. You are hereby commanded to serve this summons and a copy of the Statement of Claim in this action upon the defendant(s) named __________________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ and make proper return to this court. Date ________________________ _____________________________________ By_______ ___ Clerk RETURN ON SERVICE: Served on defendant (s) named _______________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ by delivering a copy of the Summons and Statement of Claim to him/her in ____________________________________________ County, Alabama, on (Date) ______________________________________________________________________, ____________________________________________________ Process Server Signatur e ____________________________________________________ Title of Process Server This service by certified mail of this Summons and Statement of Claim is initiated upon the request of _______________________ ______________________________ pursuant to Rule 4. 1.(c) of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. Date Requested ___________________________________ Date Mailed __________________________________________ Return Receipt Date _______________________________ ______________________________ By___________________ Clerk