Should I Sue? Free Self-Assessment Quiz
Most disputes don't belong in court — small-claims, demand letters, mediation, and limited-scope counsel resolve faster and cheaper. This free quiz walks you through the same five questions a plaintiff's lawyer asks before agreeing to a case: Is the claim still timely? Is the dollar amount worth the cost of filing? Do you have written evidence? Is the defendant collectible? What does state law say about your specific claim?
At a glance
- Statute of limitations is the #1 case killer — most personal-injury claims expire in 2–3 years from the date of harm.
- Small-claims caps range from $3,000 (NY town court) to $20,000 (Texas justice court) — under the cap means no lawyer required.
- Demand letters are mandatory in some states — Texas DTPA requires 60 days, California CCP § 364 requires 90 days for medical professionals.
- Contingency fees are typically 33% pre-suit and 40% post-filing — but med-mal is capped lower in California (Bus. & Prof. § 6146).
- If the defendant has no assets or insurance, even a winning judgment may collect $0 — collectibility is a screening question, not an afterthought.
Important: This tool provides educational estimates only — not legal advice. Made For Law is not a law firm and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any federal, state, county, or local government agency or court system. Calculator results are based on statutory formulas and publicly available fee schedules — not AI. Supporting content is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Results may not reflect recent legislative changes or your specific circumstances. Do not rely solely on these estimates — always verify with official sources and consult a licensed attorney before making legal or financial decisions. Full disclaimer
Pick your state to begin
The pilot covers California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois. Additional states roll out as we finish per-state legal verification — no estimates, no scraped numbers.
How the quiz works
Pick your state, answer five questions about your dispute, and the quiz returns a plain-English recommendation: small claims, demand letter, hire a lawyer, or walk away. Every output cites the underlying statute or court rule — no hand-waving, no "consult an attorney" cop-out.
The quiz is built on verified statutory data from all 50 states and DC (90.4% verified as of May 2026), refreshed quarterly. Sources are cited inline on every state page.
Who this quiz is for
- People considering small-claims court for a consumer dispute, unpaid invoice, or security deposit
- Injury victims weighing whether to call a personal-injury attorney
- Tenants or landlords trying to decide whether to escalate a housing dispute
- Anyone who's been told "you should sue" and wants a sanity check first
Ready to start?
Pick your state above — no signup required.
Choose your state