Look closely at the hierarchy of the NC court. You see that the magistrate court is listed higher than the clerk of court. The magistrate court’s suing limit is 10,000. Dollars. When you are sued in any court in U.S. you need to know what court to file your case in. For example, what if your mortgage company sue you for the progression of your home a 100,000 value, because of no payment for three months.  The mortgage company refuses to give you more time to catch up on payments. The mortgage company sue you in the clerk of court as judges’ office. You lose your home. If you knew the law, then you would have insisted on a district court hearing, because the clerk of court suing is less than 10,000.  Look at the hierarchy you would need to go to a higher court to get justice.  You need to know how to sue if you are taken to the wrong court.  Learn the law, by taking paralegal classes.