GENERAL INFORMATION INCLUDES AN EXPLANATION OF THE COURT'S PURPOSE, DEFINITIONS OF LEGAL TERMS, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF ELIGIBLE USERS AND TYPES OF PERMISSIBLE CLAIMS. THE POTENTIAL PLAINTIFF IS SHOWN HOW TO FILE A CLAIM IN A SMALL CLAIMS COURT, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AND AFTER A CLAIM IS FILED, WHAT FEES ARE REQUIRED, HOW TO PREPARE A CASE FOR TRIAL, WHETHER WITNESSES ARE PERMITTED, WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE AND DURING THE TRIAL, AND HOW TO COLLECT THE JUDGMENT. SIMILAR INFORMATION FOR THE POTENTIAL DEFENDANT INCLUDES A DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURES FOR DISPUTING OR REFUSING TO PAY A COURT JUDGMENT AND FOR FILING A COUNTERCLAIM. INSTRUCTIONS ARE PROVIDED FOR COMPLETING VARIOUS FORMS USED IN SMALL CLAIMS COURTS, INCLUDING THE STATEMENT OF CLAIM (GENERAL AND SPECIFIC PROPERTY FORMS) AND DEFENDANT'S ANSWER AND COUNTERCLAIM FORMS. A DIRECTORY OF SMALL CLAIMS COURTS IN ALABAMA IS APPENDED.