In California, the upper limit of small claim court is $7500.
(1) If you want to claim $20-30K, the small claim court will not take your case. You have to go to civil court.
(2) If you only claim $7500, and give up the remained money, the small claim will take your case. Notice: "give up the remained money" is to give up in all courts, and permanent. In California, the lawyer is not allowed in small claim court. That is, you can save the attorney fee. You can do a caculation: possible amount the judge gives in civil court-attorney fee-court fee. If this number is smaller than or similar to $7500, you still can think small claim court. The filing fee in small claim court is only $75.
