Tennessee Small Claims Court: $25,000 Limit, Fees and How to File

Tennessee does not have a separate small claims court. Civil cases of up to $25,000 go to the General Sessions Court in your county, under Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.) § 16-15-501(d)(1), which extends general sessions jurisdiction "to the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) in all civil cases, both law and equity."

General Sessions Court is where Tennesseans take the disputes other states send to small claims: an unpaid loan, a kept security deposit, a bad repair job. This guide follows a Tennessee general sessions civil case from filing to collection; 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 civil money claims in Tennessee General Sessions Courts under T.C.A. Title 16, Chapter 15 (including §§ 16-15-501, 16-15-718, 16-15-721, 16-15-724, 16-15-727 and 16-15-732), appeals under T.C.A. § 27-5-108, and the judgment interest and lien statutes cited below. It does not cover evictions (forcible entry and detainer), criminal cases, cases filed directly in circuit or chancery court, or small claims in other states. Fees quoted here are county figures, not statewide amounts.

Tennessee's $25,000 general sessions limit

The limit is $25,000 in all civil cases heard in general sessions courts "where they have been created" (T.C.A. § 16-15-501(d)(1)). When the court decides whether a judgment fits under that amount, attorney fees, court costs and discretionary costs are left out of the count (T.C.A. § 16-15-501(d)(2)).

Some general sessions courts were created by private acts of the legislature, and those courts may have additional powers under their own acts (T.C.A. § 16-15-501). The Tennessee courts' own description is that general sessions jurisdiction "varies from county to county based on state laws and private acts." If your county has an unusual court setup, ask the clerk.

If your claim is larger than $25,000. The sources verified for this page do not say whether you can split one claim into several general sessions cases, or give up the amount over $25,000 to stay in general sessions. Ask the clerk before trying either, and assume that money you leave out of a case may be gone for good. A larger claim belongs in circuit court.

Every claim has a filing deadline. Before you file, check the Tennessee statute of limitations for your type of claim, or use our statute of limitations calculator.

Is the limit going up to $50,000?

Not yet. House Bill 982 and Senate Bill 572 in the 114th General Assembly would raise the general sessions civil limit from $25,000 to $50,000. Neither bill has passed.

The General Assembly's bill page shows the Senate version assigned to a Senate Judiciary general subcommittee on March 31, 2025, and the House version taken off notice in the House Civil Justice Subcommittee on March 18, 2026. Neither has become a Public Chapter. Until a change is enacted, the limit is $25,000.

What you can sue for, and who can file

General sessions civil cases cover money claims of up to $25,000 in both law and equity, plus evictions and suits to get back personal property with no dollar limit (T.C.A. § 16-15-501(d)(1)). Typical cases include unpaid debts, damaged property, repair disputes and deposits a landlord would not return. If yours is a deposit dispute, read Tennessee landlord-tenant laws first, so your claim lines up with what the law requires of the landlord.

A minor or a person who is legally incompetent sues through a guardian, conservator or next friend (T.C.A. § 16-15-706).

Claims against the federal government are different. If a federal employee's negligence damaged your property or injured you, federal district courts have exclusive jurisdiction over that claim (28 U.S.C. § 1346(b)(1)), and you must first present it in writing to the federal agency (28 U.S.C. § 2675(a)), generally within two years (28 U.S.C. § 2401(b)). That is not a general sessions case.

Where to file

Each general sessions court's jurisdiction is "geographically coextensive with the limits of their respective counties" (T.C.A. § 16-15-503), so you file with the general sessions civil clerk of a county. For most money claims, you may file in the county where the claim arose or the county where an individual defendant lives; if you and the defendant live in the same Tennessee county, file there or where the claim arose (T.C.A. § 20-4-101). Some case types have their own venue rules, so confirm with the clerk before you file.

Tennessee's Supreme Court-approved general sessions civil forms are mostly for defendants and debtors; the forms page does not list a statewide form for the plaintiff's civil warrant.

Filing fees

Tennessee has no single statewide filing fee for general sessions civil cases. Before any original process issues, the plaintiff must "deposit with the clerk a sum that the clerk has previously established as adequate to pay the usual costs," including litigation taxes (T.C.A. § 16-15-718). Each county clerk sets that deposit, so totals differ.

Two county schedules show how much they can vary:

These are county figures, not statewide amounts. Other charges on those schedules:

• Davidson County: $52.00 for each additional defendant; out-of-county sheriff service $52; Secretary of State service $20 per defendant; counterclaim $42; transfer to circuit court $200.
• Hamilton County: with private, out-of-county or Secretary of State service, the civil warrant total is $219.25 and you pay the service fee separately to the proper agent; $52 sheriff fee for each additional defendant; subpoena $62 (sheriff service) or $10 (private service); appeal to circuit court $314.50; copies $0.50 per page.

For any other county, call the general sessions civil clerk or check the clerk's website for the current schedule.

If you cannot afford the fees. Tennessee courts accept a pauper's oath in place of prepaid costs; Hamilton County's clerk notes that costs are prepaid unless a pauper's oath is filed. The Supreme Court-approved general sessions forms include a "Request to Postpone Filing Fees" and a "Request Not to Pay Fees for Appeal (Pauper's Oath in Lieu of Appeal Bond)." The state's general sessions guidelines warn: "If you file an appeal for free, the court which hears the appeal can still make you pay court costs at a later date if you lose the appeal in whole or in part."

Do you need a lawyer?

No. Hamilton County's Sessions Civil FAQ states: "A person may represent himself without an attorney." You may still hire a lawyer if you want one.

Businesses are a different question. The Tennessee Supreme Court has held that the statute letting any person conduct their own case (T.C.A. § 23-1-109) "is not applicable to corporations, even when the person undertaking to act for the corporation is an officer or a shareholder" (Old Hickory Engineering & Machine Co. v. Henry, 937 S.W.2d 782 (Tenn. 1996)). The Tennessee Attorney General has applied the same reasoning to limited liability companies in Sessions Court (Op. Tenn. Att'y Gen. 05-036). Plan on a licensed lawyer if you are suing, defending or appealing for a corporation or LLC. Hamilton County's FAQ puts it plainly: "A corporation filing suit must have an attorney."

If you need a court interpreter, the state's general sessions guidelines direct you to the Administrative Office of the Courts at 615-741-2687 or 800-448-7970.

Serving the defendant

A general sessions civil case starts with a civil warrant, the statutory form of which is addressed "To any lawful process server" (T.C.A. § 16-15-716). The clerk sets the hearing date in advance of service. Hamilton County's clerk explains that warrants are served by the county sheriff, the Secretary of State or the Commissioner of Insurance, and that serving someone in another county or out of state takes an additional warrant. The Davidson and Hamilton fee schedules also list private process service.

Timing rules from the statute:

• The case cannot be set for trial "until the fourth day after the date of service of original summons" (T.C.A. § 16-15-724).
• Filing the warrant commences the action whether or not it is served. If the warrant comes back unserved, you keep your original filing date for statute of limitations purposes only if you obtain new process within nine months of each unserved return, or refile the case within one year after the first warrant came back unserved (T.C.A. § 16-15-710).

We did not verify any other deadline for serving the defendant before the hearing. Watch the return on your warrant, and ask the clerk what to do if service fails.

If you are the defendant

Show up. The state's general sessions guidelines put it plainly: "Some defendants will lose their case because they are not there." We did not verify any statewide requirement to file a written answer before the hearing; check the instructions on your warrant and ask the clerk.

Sued on a sworn account? If the plaintiff attached a sworn affidavit that the account is correct, the account is treated as conclusive against you unless you deny it under oath (T.C.A. § 24-5-107(a)). You can file the court-approved "Sworn Denial" form, and the court must also let you deny the account orally under oath at the hearing (T.C.A. § 24-5-107(b)).

Counterclaims. A defendant can bring a cross action by cross summons filed any day before the trial (T.C.A. § 16-15-724). Davidson County charges $42 to file a counterclaim. We did not verify how a counterclaim over $25,000 is handled.

No jury in general sessions. Hamilton County's FAQ states that there are no jury trials in Sessions Court. A jury is available only after the case moves to circuit court.

Moving the case to circuit court before trial. A defendant can ask to remove the case to circuit court at least three business days before trial by filing an affidavit that the defense is substantial, complex or expensive, along with a cost bond; the judge decides whether to allow it, and the statute provides that no default is entered at the general sessions level (T.C.A. § 16-15-732). Once removed, the case "shall not be subject to any monetary jurisdictional limit that would have applied in the general sessions court" (T.C.A. § 16-15-732(a)). The removal statute does not apply in counties with a population of 770,000 to 780,000 under the 1980 federal census.

Sued by a debt collector? Federal law requires a debt collector suing a consumer to sue only where the consumer signed the contract or lives when the case is filed (15 U.S.C. § 1692i(a)(2)). The FTC advises that if you are sued on a debt past its statute of limitations, you should "tell the judge that the statute of limitations has run out." For Tennessee's rules on collectors, see Tennessee debt collection laws.

Military service. Before a court enters judgment for a plaintiff against a defendant who has not appeared, federal law requires the plaintiff to file an affidavit stating whether the defendant is in military service (50 U.S.C. § 3931(b)(1)).

The hearing

A general sessions judge hears the case, and Tennessee does not relax the rules of evidence there: "Unless specifically provided otherwise, the Tennessee rules of evidence shall be fully applicable in general sessions courts" (T.C.A. § 16-15-721). Bring originals of contracts, receipts, estimates, photos and messages, and bring the people who saw what happened.

Witnesses who will not come voluntarily can be required to attend by subpoena or summons (T.C.A. § 16-15-708). In Hamilton County a subpoena costs $62 with sheriff service or $10 with private service.

The state's general sessions guidelines describe the usual order of a hearing: the docket call, an attempt to settle, opening statements, the plaintiff's proof, then the defendant's proof.

Appeals and setting aside a judgment

Any party can appeal a general sessions decision to the circuit court of the same county "within a period of ten (10) days" (T.C.A. § 27-5-108). The circuit court hears the case again from the beginning (de novo), including damages (T.C.A. §§ 27-5-108(c), 16-15-729). This 10-day rule applies in every county, regardless of any private act (T.C.A. § 27-5-108).

An appeal requires a bond for the costs of the appeal unless you take the oath for poor persons (T.C.A. § 27-5-103). Hamilton County charges $314.50 to appeal to circuit court.

If you missed the hearing or something went wrong. Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure 60.01 and 60.02 apply in general sessions court. A Rule 60.02 motion in general sessions court must be filed within 10 days of the judgment; filing it pauses the appeal deadline, and you then have 10 days from the ruling on the motion to appeal (T.C.A. § 16-15-727). Do not wait: the 10-day windows are short.

Collecting your judgment

Winning a judgment does not guarantee payment, and the court does not collect for you. If no appeal is taken within 10 days, execution may issue (T.C.A. § 27-5-108(d)(1)). Hamilton County's clerk says a garnishment can issue on the 11th day after judgment and that a wage garnishment stays in effect for six months.

Collection tools verified for this page:

• Garnishment. The FTC explains that a debt collector "must first sue you to get a court order," called a garnishment, to take money from a paycheck, and "can get a court order to take money from your bank account." For ordinary debts, federal law caps wage garnishment at the lesser of 25% of weekly disposable earnings or the amount above 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage (15 U.S.C. § 1673(a)). Tennessee's own garnishment rules and exemptions are covered on our Tennessee debt collection laws page, and our wage garnishment calculator gives an estimate.
• Examining the debtor. A judgment creditor can examine the debtor about assets by subpoena or through discovery under the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure (T.C.A. § 16-15-712).
• Lien on land. A general sessions judgment over $500 becomes a lien on the debtor's land when a certified copy is registered in the county register's office (T.C.A. § 25-5-101(b)). The lien lasts for the rest of a ten-year period from the judgment (T.C.A. § 25-5-105).

Interest. A Tennessee judgment earns interest at two percentage points below the formula rate published by the commissioner of financial institutions, fixed by the six-month period in which the judgment is entered; the Administrative Office of the Courts publishes the current rate on its website. A rate fixed by contract or statute controls instead (T.C.A. § 47-14-121). The commissioner's formula rate was 10.75% throughout June 2026, which puts the rate for judgments entered July 1 through December 31, 2026 at 8.75%; confirm the official figure on the AOC's judgment interest page.

Protected income. Social Security benefits are not subject to "execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process" (42 U.S.C. § 407(a)), and VA benefits are exempt from creditors' claims (38 U.S.C. § 5301(a)(1)). Tennessee adds its own exemptions, and the Supreme Court-approved forms include an "Affidavit of Claim Exemptions" for debtors, plus a "Request to Make Payments" form for a debtor asking to pay in installments.

How long the judgment lasts. We did not verify how long a general sessions judgment remains enforceable or the renewal procedure. Davidson County's fee schedule lists a "Scire Facias to Renew Judgment," so renewal exists in practice. Ask the clerk well before ten years pass.

Forms and official help

• Tennessee Courts Self-Help Center: statewide self-help resources.
• Guidelines and Helpful Information for People with a Case in General Sessions Court: the state's plain-language guide (a May 2013 template).
• Court-Approved General Sessions Civil Court Forms: fee postponement, pauper's oath for appeal, exemption and installment forms.
• Hamilton County Sessions Civil FAQ: one county clerk's answers on service, lawyers and juries.
• Davidson County general sessions civil fees and Hamilton County civil filing fees.

Related

• Small claims court by state
• Tennessee statute of limitations
• Tennessee debt collection laws
• Tennessee landlord-tenant laws
• Georgia small claims court
• Virginia small claims court

Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information about civil cases in Tennessee General Sessions Courts under T.C.A. §§ 16-15-501 through 16-15-732, § 27-5-108 and the other Tennessee statutes cited above, 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 county's general sessions civil clerk, the Tennessee Courts Self-Help Center, a legal aid office, or a lawyer licensed in Tennessee.

Last updated: 2026-10-07.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Tennessee have a small claims court?

Not a separate one. Civil cases up to $25,000 are filed in the civil division of the General Sessions Court in each county (T.C.A. § 16-15-501(d)(1)).

What is the small claims limit in Tennessee?

$25,000 in general sessions court, not counting attorney fees, court costs and discretionary costs (T.C.A. § 16-15-501(d)). Evictions and suits to recover personal property have no dollar limit.

Has Tennessee raised the general sessions limit to $50,000?

No. HB 982 and SB 572 would raise it to $50,000, but the legislature's bill page shows the House version taken off notice on March 18, 2026. Neither bill has passed.

How much does it cost to file a civil warrant in Tennessee?

It depends on the county, because each clerk sets the deposit (T.C.A. § 16-15-718). Davidson County charges $145.75 (effective July 12, 2026) and Hamilton County $271.25 (effective January 1, 2026).

Do I need a lawyer for general sessions court in Tennessee?

Individuals can represent themselves. A corporation or LLC generally needs a licensed lawyer: the Tennessee Supreme Court held that the self-representation statute does not apply to corporations (Old Hickory Engineering & Machine Co. v. Henry, 1996), and the Attorney General applied the same reasoning to LLCs in Sessions Court (Op. 05-036).

Is there a jury in Tennessee general sessions court?

No, according to Hamilton County's Sessions Civil FAQ. A defendant can ask to remove a substantial or complex case to circuit court at least three business days before trial (T.C.A. § 16-15-732).

How long do I have to appeal a general sessions judgment in Tennessee?

10 days from the judgment, to the circuit court of the county, which hears the case de novo (T.C.A. § 27-5-108). A Rule 60.02 motion, which must be filed within 10 days of the judgment, pauses that deadline (T.C.A. § 16-15-727).

When can I start collecting a Tennessee general sessions judgment?

Execution may issue if no appeal is filed within 10 days (T.C.A. § 27-5-108(d)(1)). Hamilton County's clerk says garnishment can issue on the 11th day after judgment.