Suing in Small Claims Court: State-By-State Limits, Fees, and Steps

By Oni Harton, Esq., John Devendorf, Esq. | Reviewed by Canaan Suitt, J.D. | Last updated on April 24, 2026

Small claims court is a local court process that allows individuals and businesses to resolve minor financial disputes quickly and easily without necessarily needing a lawyer.

If someone owes you money for a loan or personal property damage, or a contractor failed to finish the job you paid them to do, small claims court offers a simple way to go to court to get a resolution to your legal matter.

For more complex cases, you may find it helpful to consult a local attorney for legal guidance. If you find yourself in a legal dispute, understanding how the small claims system works could save you time, money, and stress. Read on to learn more.

What Is Small Claims Court?

Unlike traditional civil court cases, small-claims court is simpler and designed for everyday people. It allows you to resolve certain legal disputes without navigating complex court rules, legal jargon, or hiring expensive lawyers.

Its main purpose is to give individuals and small businesses a fast, accessible way to recover money they are owed, all within the set small claims court limits that determine the maximum amount you can sue for.

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What Types of Cases Do Small Claims Courts Handle?

Small claims cases cover a variety of everyday conflicts, including:

  • Seeking repayment for a personal loan
  • Fighting for an unreturned security deposit
  • Recovering costs for minor property damage or personal injury
  • Addressing a breach of contract
  • Handling an eviction or other real estate disputes

In addition to monetary compensation, successful plaintiffs may be awarded certain court costs and attorney fees, if permitted by law or contract.

If the losing party doesn’t pay after the court’s ruling, the court may assist with enforcement actions, like wage garnishment, to help collect what you’re owed. In other cases, you must file a separate case to collect the full amount you’re owed if they do not pay.

Although parties to a small claims case can hire a lawyer, no lawyers are required, making it a more affordable and accessible option for resolving disputes. Small claims court offers a quick solution for money-related issues, and in many cases, the entire process can be handled online, saving time and effort.

How Much Can You Sue for in My State’s Small Claims Courts?

Small claims court deals with smaller disputes involving personal injury or unpaid debts. The court strictly limits the amount of money you can sue for in these cases.

Although the exact limit varies by state and county, it is typically under $10,000. You should always check your local court’s website or contact the court clerk to find the most up-to-date limits and guidelines in your jurisdiction.

Filing fees also vary by state and by claim type. The table below summarizes maximum amounts and filing fee ranges for each state’s small claims courts.

StateMaximum Amount in DisputeFiling Fee Range*Official Court WebsiteState Statute
Alabama$6,000$35 – $256https://www.alacourt.govAla. Code § 12-19-71
Alaska$10,000$50 – $100https://public.courts.alaska.govAlaska Stat. § 09.60.010
Arizona$5,000$30 – $60https://www.azcourts.govAriz. Rev. Stat. § 22-281
Arkansas$5,000$67.50https://www.arcourts.govArk. Code Ann. § 21-6-403
California$12,500$30 – $100https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 116.230
Colorado$7,500$31 – $55https://www.courts.state.co.usColo. Rev. Stat. § 13-32-101
Connecticut$5,000$95https://www.jud.ct.govConn. Gen. Stat. § 52-259
Delaware$25,000$30 – $45https://courts.delaware.gov/jpcourtDel. Code Tit. 10, § 9301
Florida$8,000$55 – $300https://www.flcourts.govFla. Stat. § 34.041
Georgia$15,000$54https://georgiacourts.govO.C.G.A. § 15-10-80
Hawaii$5,000$35https://www.courts.state.hi.usHaw. Rev. Stat. § 607-4
Idaho$5,000 ($15,000 as of July 1, 2026)$69https://isc.idaho.govIdaho Code § 31-3201
Illinois$10,000$89 – $379https://www.illinoiscourts.gov705 ILCS 105/27.1a
Indiana$10,000$97 – $130https://www.in.gov/courtsInd. Code § 33-37-4-2
Iowa$6,500$95https://www.iowacourts.govIowa Code § 602.8105
Kansas$10,000$49 – $69https://www.kscourts.orgKan. Stat. Ann. § 61-4001
Kentucky$2,500$30 – $40https://kycourts.govKy. Rev. Stat. § 24A.170
Louisiana$5,000$75 – $111.50https://www.lasc.orgLa. Rev. Stat. § 13:2589
Maine$10,000$70https://www.courts.maine.gov14 Me. Rev. Stat. § 7482
Maryland$5,000$44https://www.mdcourts.govMd. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 7-202
Massachusetts$7,000$40 – $150https://www.mass.gov/courtsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 218, § 22
Michigan$7,000$30 – $70https://www.courts.michigan.govMich. Comp. Laws § 600.8420
Minnesota$20,000$65 – $80https://www.mncourts.govMinn. Stat. § 357.022
Mississippi$3,500$75 – $85https://courts.ms.govMiss. Code Ann. § 9-11-9
Missouri$5,000$20.50– $35.50https://www.courts.mo.govMo. Rev. Stat. § 488.012
Montana$7,000$30 – $50https://courts.mt.govMont. Code Ann. § 25-35-608
Nebraska$7,500$32https://supremecourt.nebraska.govNeb. Rev. Stat. § 25-2802
Nevada$10,000$66 – $196https://nvcourts.govNev. Rev. Stat. § 73.010
New Hampshire$10,000$125 – $180https://www.courts.nh.govN.H. Rev. Stat. § 490:26-a
New Jersey$5,000$35https://www.njcourts.govN.J. Stat. Ann. § 22A:2-37
New Mexico$10,000$77https://nmcourts.govN.M. Stat. Ann. § 35-6-1
New York$10,000$15 – $20https://www.nycourts.govN.Y. Uniform City Ct. Act § 1803
North Carolina$10,000$96https://www.nccourts.govN.C. Gen. Stat. § 7A-305
North Dakota$15,000$20https://www.ndcourts.govN.D. Cent. Code § 27-08.1-03
Ohio$6,000$80 – $105https://www.supremecourt.ohio.govOhio Rev. Code § 1925.04
Oklahoma$10,000$58 – $219.14https://www.oscn.netOkla. Stat. Tit. 28, § 151
Oregon$10,000$37 – $57https://www.courts.oregon.govOr. Rev. Stat. § 46.445
Pennsylvania$12,000$15 – $150https://www.pacourts.us42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 1725
Rhode Island$5,000$75.75https://www.courts.ri.govR.I. Gen. Laws § 8-8-15
South Carolina$7,500$80https://www.sccourts.orgS.C. Code Ann. § 8-21-1010
South Dakota$12,000$4 – $20https://ujs.sd.govS.D. Codified Laws § 16-2-29
Tennessee$25,000$49 – $250https://www.tncourts.govTenn. Code Ann. § 8-21-401
Texas$20,000$54https://www.txcourts.govTex. Gov’t Code § 27.031
Utah$20,000$60 – $185https://www.utcourts.govUtah Code Ann. § 78A-2-301
Vermont$10,000$65 – $90https://www.vermontjudiciary.org32 Vt. Stat. Ann. § 1431
Virginia$5,000$36 – $52http://www.vacourts.govVa. Code Ann. § 16.1-69.48:2
Washington$10,000$35 – $50https://www.courts.wa.govWash. Rev. Code § 3.62.060
Washington, D.C.$10,000$5 – $45https://www.dccourts.govD.C. Code § 15-701
West Virginia$20,000$30 – $70http://www.courtswv.govW. Va. Code § 50-2-1
Wisconsin$10,000$94.50 – $98https://www.wicourts.govWis. Stat. § 814.61
Wyoming$6,000$10https://www.courts.state.wy.usWyo. Stat. Ann. § 5-9-135

*Filing fee ranges are approximate and subject to change. Check with your local court for exact fee amounts.

How Do I Start a Small Claims Court Lawsuit?

Starting a small claims case is relatively straightforward. First, make sure your claim falls within the small claims court limits, and that the statute of limitations has not expired for your type of claim.

Here are the basic steps to get started:

1. File the Paperwork

You must fill out a complaint form at the local county court. It may be a district court, a superior court, or some other local court.

Although the court clerk cannot provide legal advice regarding your specific case, the clerk’s office can help you with general legal information and instructions on filing your case. For example, you may need to file with the court where the defendant lives or where the damage occurred.

2. Pay the Filing Fee

You can typically pay fees by money order or from your bank account. It is important to contact the court clerk or the small claims website to determine which payment methods they accept. Once your case is filed and you have paid the filing fee, you will receive a hearing date.

3. Serve the Defendant

To initiate the case, you must notify the other party that they are being sued. This is called “serving” them. This process usually involves sending the documents by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the defendant’s address. When you do this, it allows you to receive proof that the other party received your filing.

4. Prepare for Your Case

Since you will probably not have a lawyer assisting with your case, you will need to do the heavy lifting. You must gather and organize all the evidence to prove your side of the story. Bringing copies of receipts, text message printouts, emails, and photographs is essential. You should be able to present these to the judge without fumbling around. Follow any court rules and address the judge respectfully.

    How Does Small Claims Court Work?

    One of the biggest advantages of small claims court is its simplicity. The system expects you to represent yourself in the small claims hearing. Some jurisdictions may not even allow legal representation in these types of cases.

    • The hearing. Instead of filing complex legal filings and being held to a long list of rules of evidence, you stand in front of a judge in person (or attend the remote hearing, which means that you do not have to go to court at all) and state your case plainly. The opposing party will have a chance to state their case and explain any counterclaim they may have against you.
    • The evidence. The judge hears both sides, asks questions, reviews evidence presented, and makes a binding decision.
    • The decision. The judge can decide the case on the spot, which is typical. In other cases, you will receive the judge’s decision a short time after the hearing. The court can only require someone to pay money, but the two sides may agree to whatever they want when negotiating.

    Both the person filing the lawsuit and the person being sued must participate. Otherwise, the person being sued will automatically lose. That’s called a default. The court has online resources to help with your case.

    While small claims court provides a cost-effective solution for resolving claims within its limits, some cases require more guidance. If your case becomes more complex than initially thought or involves appeals, you may benefit from legal assistance. Or, if you need help navigating the process from the start, consult an attorney.

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