Small Claims Court Finder

How small claims court works

Small claims court is a simpler, cheaper part of a state court for disputes about money. You file a short claim form with the clerk, pay the filing fee, and have the papers delivered to the person or business you are suing. A judge or magistrate then hears both sides, usually at one short hearing.

Each state sets its own dollar limit. Today the lowest is $2,500 (Kentucky) and the highest is $25,000 (Delaware and Tennessee). 2 states set a lower limit when a business is the one suing (California and Washington).

The finder answers in the order you will need it: does the amount fit, what does filing cost, where do you file, how is the other side served, can a lawyer take part, do you have to ask for payment first, and what happens if you lose. Each answer links to the statute, court rule or court page it comes from.

Small claims limits and filing fees by state

The table lists each state's general limit for a person suing over money, its filing fee range, and its appeal rule. Fees often depend on the amount you sue for, and in 14 states the local court sets them. The state name links to our full guide for that state.

When your claim is more than the limit

If you are owed more than the limit, you can file in the regular civil court for the full amount. Some states also let you give up the part above the limit to stay in small claims: the sources we checked state that option in 15 states, and the finder shows the rule where a source states it.

Splitting one debt into several small claims to get under the limit is not the same as waiving the excess. Where a source addresses it, the finder says so. When in doubt, ask the clerk before you file.

Before you file: ask for the money in writing

In 6 states the law or the official claim form expects you to have asked for payment before you sue. Elsewhere it is not required, but a written demand still helps: it gives the other side a last chance to pay and it shows the judge you tried.

Our demand letter generator builds that letter with your state's rules, including security deposit deadlines where you are asking a landlord for a deposit back.

Lawyers and appeals

7 states do not let lawyers represent parties at the small claims hearing (Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Nebraska and Virginia). 9 states set special rules, such as allowing a lawyer only if both sides agree or in narrow cases, or requiring one for a business (Arizona, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Montana, Oregon and Washington). The rest allow a lawyer but do not require one. The finder shows each state's rule.

In 6 states a small claims judgment cannot be appealed in the usual way (Arizona, Connecticut, Hawaii, North Dakota, Oregon and South Dakota). In 3 states only the losing defendant can appeal (California, Massachusetts and Rhode Island). Appeal deadlines are short, often a few weeks or less, so check the finder the day you get the judgment.

What this tool does not do

• It does not file anything or contact the court. Filing happens through your state court, in person, by mail, or on its own e-filing site.
• It does not tell you whether you will win or how much a judge will award. It reports the court's rules for the amount you enter.
• It does not cover evictions, suits against the federal government, or claims that small claims courts exclude in your state.
• It does not check your statute of limitations. Use our statute of limitations calculator for that.