Easton Secure Solutions

How to File Small Claims in New York City (and Actually Collect)

Sep 20, 2025By Easton Secure Solutions

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New York City is home to one of the busiest court systems in the country. With millions of residents and countless business transactions happening daily, disputes are inevitable. Whether it’s an unpaid loan, a damaged apartment, or a broken contract, the New York City Small Claims Court and Civil Court provide ways to resolve conflicts without requiring an attorney.

But here’s the truth most people don’t realize: winning your case is only half the battle. Enforcing the judgment—actually collecting the money—is often the hardest step. Many debtors hide assets, avoid service, or simply refuse to pay. That’s where hiring a licensed private investigator can make all the difference.

This guide walks you through the NYC small claims and civil court process, explains how to file, what to expect in court, and most importantly, how to enforce a judgment. At every stage, we’ll show how Easton Secure Solutions LLC, a licensed New York State private investigation firm, can assist you.

👉 For official resources, start with the NYC Small Claims Court Help Center and the New York Courts website.

 
Understanding NYC Small Claims Court


Small Claims Court was designed to be informal, affordable, and user-friendly, making it accessible for everyday New Yorkers. Here are the basics:

  • Monetary limit: In NYC, you can sue for up to $10,000 (outside the city, limits are $5,000 or $3,000 depending on location).
  • Eligible cases: Unpaid loans, property damage, defective products, security deposit disputes, minor accidents.
  • Filing fees: $15 for claims up to $1,000; $20 for claims over $1,000.
  • Jurisdiction: The defendant must live, work, or own property in New York.

How to File

  • Identify the correct defendant – You’ll need their full name and a valid street address. A private investigator can verify this information, uncovering current addresses, employment, and property ownership, ensuring you name the right person on the claim.
  • Complete the claim form – Available at your borough’s Civil Court clerk’s office or online through NY Courts e-filing.
  • Pay the filing fee – Modest compared to other courts.
  • Service of notice – The court clerk mails notices, but if service fails, you’ll need personal service. Private investigators assist here by skip tracing evading defendants, making sure the notice reaches the correct party.


How a private investigator helps at this stage:

  • Confirms the defendant’s legal identity and current location.
  • Ensures businesses, property owners, or corporate defendants are correctly named.
  • Saves clients from wasted filings due to misidentified defendants.
     

    Overview of NYC Civil Court

While Small Claims handles disputes under $10,000, the Civil Court manages claims up to $50,000. It covers:

  • Goods sold and services rendered.
  • Breach of contract.
  • Personal injury claims.
  • Landlord-tenant disputes (Housing Court division).
  • Real estate partitions and foreclosures (within limits).

Cases are more formal than Small Claims. They involve summonses, complaints, and sometimes discovery.

👉 Visit the NYC Civil Court page for filing details.

How a private investigator helps in Civil Court:

  • Ensures proper service of process (avoiding dismissals for bad service).
  • Locates witnesses and conducts interviews for supporting testimony.
  • Retrieves property or business records to strengthen evidence.
  • Provides surveillance or fact-finding when claims involve fraud or misrepresentation.
     

    The Litigation Process in NYC Courts

Whether you’re in Small Claims or Civil Court, preparation is everything.

  • Small Claims: File, serve notice, gather evidence (receipts, contracts, witness statements). Judges often decide cases the same day. A private investigator can collect photos, records, and witness statements in advance, ensuring your case is strong from the start.
  • Civil Court: More formal. Includes pleadings, discovery (document requests, depositions), and possibly jury trials. Investigators can assist with background checks, asset verification, and gathering evidence during discovery.

Common pitfalls:

  • Improper service → case dismissal.
  • Missing deadlines → forfeiting rights.
  • Incomplete evidence → weak claims.

How a private investigator fits in throughout litigation:

  • Confirms the defendant’s current contact info and assets.
  • Tracks down witnesses or associates who can provide testimony.
  • Documents any fraudulent or inconsistent claims by the defendant.
     

    Enforcing Judgments in NYC Courts

Winning a judgment doesn’t guarantee payment. Courts don’t collect money for you—you have to enforce it. Options include:

  • Wage garnishment (income execution).
  • Bank levies.
  • Property liens.
  • Asset seizure through a Marshal or Sheriff.

Information Subpoena (CPLR § 5224)
One of the first steps after winning is sending an information subpoena under New York Civil Practice Law and Rules (CPLR) § 5224.

This legal tool compels the debtor—or third parties like banks and employers—to disclose financial details, such as:

  • Bank account numbers.
  • Employment information.
  • Property ownership.
  • Vehicles or investments.
    👉 Learn more about subpoenas from the NY Courts Help Center and the official New York State Government site.

How a private investigator assists:

  • Verifies the debtor’s current addresses and service of process to ensure subpoenas reach the right person.
  • Could assist with identifying banks, employers, or other third parties to target.
  • Investigates undisclosed assets or accounts, providing supporting documentation.
  • This supports motions for contempt if the subpoena is ignored.
     

    The Role of a Private Investigator Throughout the Entire Process

1. Before Filing

  • Confirms the defendant’s identity, addresses, and employment.
    Avoids wasted filings due to misidentification.

2. Serving the Defendant

  • Handles skip tracing for evasive debtors.
  • Ensures legal notices are successfully delivered.

3. Preparing for Court

  • Collects and verifies evidence: receipts, contracts, witness statements, and surveillance data.
  • Confirms any claims by the defendant are accurate or exposes inconsistencies.

4. During the Case

  • Conducts background checks, interviews, or surveillance to strengthen your claim.
  • Provides affidavits for court to support motions or rebut defenses.

5. After Winning

  • Can serve subpoenas (CPLR § 5224) with verified addresses.
  • Conducts asset searches: real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, investments.
  • Tracks lifestyle or income inconsistencies to identify leviable assets.
  • Collaborates with marshals or sheriffs to ensure collection is successful.


Real example (fictionalized for privacy):
A landlord in Queens won a $9,500 judgment against a former tenant who claimed to be broke. Our investigators verified the tenant’s employment off the books and traced luxury assets, including an SUV. Using an information subpoena and asset search, the landlord successfully garnished wages and seized funds.

 
Why Work With Easton Secure Solutions LLC


Unlike generic databases or do-it-yourself searches, Easton Secure Solutions LLC provides professional, licensed, and discreet investigations. We:

  • Work legally and ethically under New York law.
  • Understand NYC and Long Island courts.
  • Offer skip tracing, asset searches, surveillance, and litigation support at every stage.
  • Maximize recovery chances by being involved from filing through enforcement.

 
Final Thoughts: Taking the First Step


Filing a small claims or civil court case in New York City can feel daunting, but the process is manageable if you have the right resources—and the right investigative support. From locating the defendant to serving documents, preparing evidence, issuing subpoenas, and enforcing judgments, a private investigator can guide you at every step.

At Easton Secure Solutions LLC, our mission is simple: to help New Yorkers protect their rights, recover what they’re owed, and find peace of mind.

📌 If you’re preparing to file—or if you’ve already won but can’t collect—don’t wait. The sooner you act, the more effective the process will be.

 
✅ Contact Us Today for a Confidential Consultation


Easton Secure Solutions LLC
Licensed NYS Private Investigator #11000228434

☎️ Call: (516) 962-1267
✉️ Email: [email protected]
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