AI Prompts 1: Do I Have a Claim?

Part 1 of 8 in the AI prompt guide. Before you file anything, get your story straight: what happened, when, who is responsible, and whether you may still be within the statute of limitations (the legal deadline to sue). AI can be a tool as you organize; it can't tell you the law in your state for sure. Guide: the roadmap.

Copy a prompt, replace every [bracket] with your own facts, and paste it into the AI tool you use.

Use AI safely

• AI can be wrong. It can state rules that don't exist or invent court cases. Check every rule, deadline and form with your court or your state page.
• Keep private details out. Don't paste account numbers, Social Security numbers, birth dates, or other people's full addresses and phone numbers. Use placeholders like [ADDRESS].
• Read before you use it. Never file, send or read aloud AI-written text you haven't read and checked line by line. You're responsible for what you submit.
• Facts come from you. If the AI adds a fact you didn't give it, delete it.

Sample prompts

Build a timeline

I'm thinking about a small claims case. Turn my notes into a clear, dated timeline. Use only the facts I give you. If a date or detail is missing, list it as a question at the end instead of guessing.

My notes:
[paste your notes, using placeholders for private details]

Summarize the dispute in plain words

In 5 sentences or fewer, summarize this dispute the way I'd explain it to a judge: what was agreed, what went wrong, when, and what it cost me. Don't add facts. Don't say who will win.

Facts:
[paste your timeline]

This information is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Rules, deadlines, fees and forms vary by state and court. Check your court's rules or self-help center before you act.

In the Playbook (members):

• Who should I name?
• Deadline-to-sue check reminder
• Is small claims a fit?