Dear Real Change,
Please allow me to tell you about my experience with small claims court. Your [Ask a Lawyer] article in the July 4-10 issue suggests that small claims court is a solution. It is not!
I took and paid for all the proper steps, including having the sheriff deliver the summons. I wanted my $700 deposit back from the landlord after living for 10 years in his West Queen Anne triplex. He chose not to come to court. THE CASE WAS decided in my favor. End of story!
He did not pay and the court does not enforce its decisions. The debt collection agency I contacted said that he merely had to refuse to pay. He has chosen to ignore the small claims judgment and I can do nothing to enforce it. I’ve wasted my time and money.
Please tell Derek de Bakker, the attorney at Foster Pepper PLLC and your readers that small claims court — even if you win — is not an answer.
Bettylou Valentine | Seattle