AOC-CVM-400 — Complaint (Magistrate's Court)

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01 PLAINTIFF (PERSON FILING THE CLAIM)

Plaintiff Name *

County *

Plaintiff Address *

Plaintiff Phone *

File No. (clerk assigns)

02 DEFENDANT (PERSON BEING SUED)

Defendant Name *

Defendant Address *

Defendant Phone (if known)

Defendant Email (if known)

03 CLAIM DETAILS

Basis of Claim *

Amount Claimed *

Annual Interest Rate (%)

Date Claim Arose *

Description of Claim *

04 RELIEF REQUESTED

Plaintiff Also Requests (select all that apply)

SELECTED COUNTY

— Select above —

$10,000 MAXIMUM CLAIM

Magistrate's Court jurisdiction is limited to $10,000 (G.S. 7A-210). Claims above this amount must be filed in District Court using form CVM-100 or a civil summons.

⚡ NEED THE SUMMONS?

After filing CVM-400, generate CVM-401 (Civil Summons) to serve on the defendant.

GENERATE CVM-401 SUMMONS →

FILING STEPS — SMALL CLAIMS

Generate and download the CVM-400 PDF
File at the clerk's office in the county where defendant lives or where the event occurred
Pay the filing fee (approx. $96 for claims over $1,500)
Serve the defendant with CVM-401 Summons via sheriff or certified mail
Appear at the scheduled magistrate's hearing with your evidence
Bring receipts, contracts, photos, and witnesses

STATUTORY REFERENCE

G.S. 7A-210Magistrate's court jurisdiction

G.S. 7A-211$10,000 limit

G.S. 7A-216Trial procedure

G.S. 24-1Interest rate — 8% legal rate

AOC-CVM-400Revised Feb 2021

PRO SE LITIGANTS — TIPS

No attorney required — you may represent yourself
Keep descriptions factual, specific, and brief
Gather all receipts, texts, emails, contracts before the hearing
Magistrate's judgment is enforceable immediately
Either party may appeal to District Court within 10 days
Barker Richardson, PLLC → for legal advice

WHAT GETS GENERATED

CVM-400 complaint with full case caption
Basis of claim marked and description included
Amount, interest rate, and relief requested
Court-ready PDF — letter size (8.5" × 11")