Rule 141.01 Action - When

Starting a small claims case in Missouri is simple. You just need to file a petition with the clerk at the small claims division of the circuit court. This petition tells the court who you're suing and why.

The petition needs to follow a specific format that the court has already approved. You can find this approved form in Rule 152. Using this standard form makes sure your case has all the basic information the court needs to move forward, and it keeps the process straightforward since you don't need a lawyer to write up a complicated legal document.