Nevada Small Claims Court: $10,000 Limit, Fees and How to File

In Nevada, you can sue for up to $10,000 in small claims court. Small claims cases are heard by a justice of the peace in the justice court for the township, and they are limited to claims for money only (NRS 73.010).

Procedures, forms and fees vary from one justice court to another. Clark County alone has eleven justice courts organized by township, including Las Vegas, Henderson and North Las Vegas. Much of the practical detail below comes from the Civil Law Self-Help Center that serves the Clark County courts, so check with your own justice court before you file. For other states, see our guide to small claims court by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-07. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers small claims cases in Nevada justice courts under NRS Chapter 73 and the Justice Court Rules of Civil Procedure (JCRCP). It does not cover regular civil cases in justice or district court, evictions, or small claims in other states.

Nevada small claims limit: $10,000

The Civil Law Self-Help Center states the limit as "up to TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000)," and the statute, NRS 73.010(1), allows small claims "for the recovery of money only, where the amount claimed does not exceed $10,000." An award cannot go above $10,000, including any punitive or pain-and-suffering damages.

NRS 73.010, as updated through the 2025 legislative session, still sets the limit at $10,000.

Claims worth more than $10,000. You can still file in small claims, but you give up the rest. The self-help center explains:

you give up ("waive") any amount above $10,000. You cannot split one large claim into two or more smaller claims

To try to recover more, you would need to file a regular civil case instead.

Money only. Small claims cannot order someone to return property or to stop doing something. In the self-help center's words: "Anything other than money (you want the Court to make the other party return property...) ... is not a small claims case."

Your claim must also be filed on time. Deadlines to sue depend on the type of claim; see the Nevada statute of limitations guide.

Where to file

According to the self-help center, you file in the justice court for the township where the defendant lives, does business or is employed (either when the claim arose or when you file). You may also file in the township where the injury happened or where the contract obligation was or is to be performed (NRS 73.010(2)).

Filing fees

Nevada does not have one statewide small claims fee that we could verify; each justice court sets its own. The Clark County justice courts charge by the amount of the claim, according to the Civil Law Self-Help Center:

If you file outside Clark County, ask your justice court for its current fee. Service fees for a constable, sheriff or process server are extra.

Fee waiver. If you cannot afford the fees, you can apply to waive them (in forma pauperis). According to the self-help center, an order waiving fees also waives the appeal filing fee, but not the appeal bond.

Lawyers

Lawyers are allowed, but each side pays its own. The self-help center says "attorneys can represent clients in small claims cases. However, you will be solely responsible for paying your attorney's fees." Attorney fees generally cannot be recovered from the other side (NRS 73.040). On an appeal to the district court, the winner is awarded an attorney fee of no more than $15 (NRS 73.050).

A corporation, partnership, association or other nongovernmental business entity may be represented in small claims by its director, officer or employee (NRS 73.012).

Mediation before trial

Mediation depends on the court. According to the self-help center, Henderson Justice Court requires mediation on the hearing date, Las Vegas Justice Court offers an optional mediator on the trial day, and the Neighborhood Justice Center offers free mediation.

Serving the defendant

After you file, you are responsible for serving the defendant with the complaint and trial date. The self-help center lists a constable, a sheriff or a private process server; anyone else who serves papers must be 18 or older and not a party to the case. If personal service fails, you can ask the court for permission to serve by certified mail. File an affidavit (proof) of service with the court.

Timing matters: "The other party must be served at least fourteen business days before your trial or mediation."

If you are sued

A defendant does not have to file a written response. The self-help center says: "You do not have to file any response to a Small Claims complaint." But you do have to show up. If the defendant does not attend and the plaintiff proves service, the court may enter a default judgment. Before a default judgment, federal law also requires the plaintiff to file an affidavit stating whether the defendant is in military service (50 U.S.C. 3931).

A defendant may file a counterclaim within 21 days after being served, in the same sworn affidavit form as a complaint (JCRCP 88(b)), so do not wait for the trial date to raise one. A counterclaim is also capped at $10,000; any excess is waived and the counterclaim cannot be split (JCRCP 13 and 88, as described by the self-help center).

There is no jury in Nevada small claims. The self-help center cites a 2005 Nevada Supreme Court decision holding that there is no right to a jury trial in small claims.

The hearing

A justice of the peace hears the case, and the self-help center says a hearing usually lasts ten or fifteen minutes. Be ready to tell your story quickly and back it up with documents.

• Bring the original of each exhibit and three copies.
• The court can arrange an interpreter.
• You can ask the court to subpoena witnesses.
• You can ask, by motion, to appear by telephone.

The court sets the trial date when you file, and it must be no more than 90 days out unless the court finds good cause (JCRCP 90(b)).

Appealing a small claims judgment

Both the plaintiff and the defendant can appeal, and the deadline is short. JCRCP 98(b) says: "The filing of a notice of appeal must be done within 7 calendar days from the service of the judgment," and 3 calendar days are added if the judgment was served by mail (JCRCP 6(d)). The Sparks Justice Court's appeal packet describes the deadline the same way. The Clark County self-help center counts the 7 days from the date the decision was filed, so to be safe, count from the earlier date. Older sources that give a 5-day deadline are out of date.

The appeal goes to the district court, which reviews the record. You cannot present new evidence. The district court may set aside, confirm or modify the decision, or order a new trial. According to the Clark County self-help center, there is no further appeal after the district court rules.

Appeal costs vary by court:

The appeal bond must be posted when the notice of appeal is filed, and it cannot be waived. A plaintiff who appeals posts $115 ($100 for appeal costs plus $15 toward the other side's attorney fee). A defendant who appeals must also promise to pay the full judgment plus interest if the appeal fails, and the court can require that part as a cash or surety bond (JCRCP 100). Posting the appeal bond does not stop collection; to pause enforcement, the appealing party must ask for a stay with a supersedeas bond.

Setting aside a default judgment

A defendant who missed the hearing can file a motion to set aside the default judgment under JCRCP 60(b) and (c). According to the self-help center, filing the motion does not stop collection that is already underway. The motion must be made within a reasonable time, and for mistake, inadvertence, surprise or excusable neglect, newly discovered evidence, or fraud no more than 6 months after the hearing or after written notice of entry of the judgment is served, whichever is later; the court cannot extend this deadline (JCRCP 60(c)(1)). A defendant who was not personally served and did not appear may also move within 6 months after written notice of entry of the default judgment is served (JCRCP 60(d)(2)).

Collecting a Nevada small claims judgment

Winning a judgment does not guarantee you will be paid, and the court does not collect for you. The decision cannot be enforced until the appeal period has passed. After that, the self-help center describes these tools:

• Writ of execution. File a writ of execution and a notice of execution, which the constable or sheriff carries out. In Clark County, filing a writ of execution costs $25. Some courts allow only one outstanding writ at a time.
• Writ of garnishment. The self-help center lists a writ of garnishment as a collection tool.
• Judgment lien. Record the judgment to create a lien.
• Judgment debtor examination. Ask the court, by motion, to order a judgment debtor examination.

Small claims does not allow attachment or garnishment before judgment (NRS 73.020).

How long a judgment lasts. A Nevada judgment expires six years after entry (NRS 11.190(1)(a)) unless it is renewed by an affidavit filed within 90 days before it expires. The affidavit must be recorded within 3 days if the judgment was recorded, and mailed to the debtor by certified mail within 3 days (NRS 17.214). A judgment lien lasts six years after the judgment is docketed and continues each time the judgment is renewed (NRS 17.150(2)).

Some property and income is protected from collection under NRS 21.090. For how those exemptions and wage garnishment work, see Nevada debt collection laws. Federal law also protects Social Security benefits (42 U.S.C. 407(a)) and VA benefits (38 U.S.C. 5301(a)(1)) from garnishment and levy.

Security deposits and other common disputes

Common small claims cases include a kept security deposit, a contractor who did not finish the work, and an unpaid personal loan. For deposit rules, see Nevada landlord-tenant laws.

Official resources

• Civil Law Self-Help Center, small claims (Clark County)
• Sparks Justice Court small claims appeal packet (Washoe County)
• Nevada Supreme Court Self-Help Center (statewide)

Related

• Small claims court by state
• Nevada statute of limitations
• Nevada debt collection laws
• Nevada landlord-tenant laws
• California small claims court
• Arizona small claims court

Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information about small claims cases in Nevada justice courts under NRS Chapter 73 and the Justice Court Rules of Civil Procedure, verified on 2026-10-07. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. For help with your situation, contact your justice court, a self-help center, a legal aid office, or a lawyer licensed in Nevada.

Last updated: 2026-10-07.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the small claims limit in Nevada?

$10,000, for money-only claims (NRS 73.010(1)). An award cannot exceed $10,000, including punitive or pain-and-suffering damages.

Can I sue for more than $10,000 in Nevada small claims?

Only by giving up the amount over $10,000, and you cannot split one claim into several smaller cases, according to the Civil Law Self-Help Center. To seek more, file a regular civil case.

How much does it cost to file small claims in Las Vegas?

Clark County justice courts charge $66 for claims up to $1,000, rising in steps to $196 for claims over $7,500 up to $10,000. Other Nevada courts set their own fees.

Can a lawyer represent me in Nevada small claims court?

Yes, but you pay your own lawyer; attorney fees generally cannot be recovered from the other side (NRS 73.040).

Does a defendant have to file an answer in Nevada small claims?

No written response is required, but the defendant must attend. If the defendant does not attend and the plaintiff proves service, the court may enter a default judgment. A counterclaim may be filed within 21 days after service (JCRCP 88(b)).

Is mediation required in Nevada small claims?

It depends on the court. Henderson Justice Court requires mediation on the hearing date, while Las Vegas Justice Court offers an optional mediator on the trial day.

How long do I have to appeal a Nevada small claims decision?

7 calendar days from service of the judgment, plus 3 calendar days if it was mailed (JCRCP 98, 6(d)). The Clark County self-help center counts from the date the decision was filed, so count from the earlier date to be safe. Both sides can appeal to the district court, which reviews the record without new evidence.

How much does it cost to appeal a Nevada small claims judgment?

In Clark County, a $97 justice court appeal fee plus a $115 cost bond; in Sparks, $50 plus the $115 bond and a $211 district court filing fee. The bond cannot be waived, and a defendant who appeals must also promise to pay the full judgment plus interest if the appeal fails (JCRCP 100(b)).

How long is a Nevada small claims judgment good for?

Six years from entry (NRS 11.190(1)(a)), unless renewed by an affidavit filed within 90 days before it expires and mailed to the debtor by certified mail within 3 days (NRS 17.214). A judgment lien continues each time the judgment is renewed (NRS 17.150(2)).