Small Claims Complaint - Preparation Worksheet - South Dakota

DO NOT FILE THIS PACKET AS-IS. South Dakota small-claims procedure depends on the exact court, the claim type, the parties, and current official instructions. This packet records those instructions and organizes facts for an accepted complaint or official form.

SOUTH DAKOTA SMALL-CLAIMS COMPLAINT PREPARATION PACKET

1. Court and Filing Control Sheet

☐ The selected complaint format and filing route were confirmed for the exact court.

☐ The current official form or instructions are attached.

2. Caption Worksheet

3. Party and Service Information

Plaintiff

Legal name: [________________________________]

Entity type and authority to sue, if applicable: [________________________________]

Address and contact information: [________________________________]

Defendant

Exact legal name: [________________________________]

Individual / entity status: [________________________________]

Service address and source used to confirm it: [________________________________]

Registered agent or other authorized recipient, if applicable: [________________________________]

4. Claim Facts

5. Claim-Theory Worksheet

This worksheet does not plead a cause of action. Reviewing counsel must identify each theory, its current elements, any deadline, and the facts supporting it.

Complaint text approved for the court's accepted form or attachment:

[____________________________________________________________]

[____________________________________________________________]

6. Damages and Remedy Schedule

☐ The total and every component fit the selected court's current authority.

7. Exhibits and Witnesses

8. Signature or Verification Module

Use only the execution form required by the official form or current court instruction.

☐ Signature only

☐ Attorney certification

☐ Verification before an authorized officer

☐ Other: [________________________________]

Signer: [________________________________]

Capacity: [________________________________]

Signature: ____________________________________

Date: [__/__/____]

Required verification or acknowledgment text: [________________________________]

9. Filing and Service Record

10. Final Do-Not-File Checklist

☐ The exact court, division, county, parties, addresses, and claim amount match the official form and supporting records.

☐ Eligibility, monetary limit, venue, filing, fee, service, jury, execution, interest, default, and review assumptions were checked against current official instructions.

☐ Every claim, amount, and requested remedy has factual support and counsel-approved authority.

☐ No deadline, rule, remedy, or procedure was imported from another South Dakota court or another state.

☐ Confidential and identifying information has been redacted or handled under the governing court instruction.

☐ A complete filed copy, exhibits, payment receipt, service proof, and court receipt will be retained.