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Small Claims Court Guide
All 50 States

File a claim, respond to a lawsuit, or find your local courthouse. Free guides for every state — no attorney required.

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Browse by State

Select your state to see filing limits, fees, and step-by-step instructions

AL
Alabama
Limit: $6,000
Fee: $45
AK
Alaska
Limit: $10,000
Fee: $30
AZ
Arizona
Limit: $3,500
Fee: $29
AR
Arkansas
Limit: $5,000
Fee: $65
CA
California
Limit: $12,500
Fee: $30
CO
Colorado
Limit: $7,500
Fee: $31
CT
Connecticut
Limit: $5,000
Fee: $75
DE
Delaware
Limit: $15,000
Fee: $45
FL
Florida
Limit: $8,000
Fee: $55
GA
Georgia
Limit: $15,000
Fee: $50
HI
Hawaii
Limit: $5,000
Fee: $35
ID
Idaho
Limit: $5,000
Fee: $45
IL
Illinois
Limit: $10,000
Fee: $85
IN
Indiana
Limit: $8,000
Fee: $60
IA
Iowa
Limit: $6,500
Fee: $50
KS
Kansas
Limit: $4,000
Fee: $45
KY
Kentucky
Limit: $2,500
Fee: $50
LA
Louisiana
Limit: $5,000
Fee: $50
ME
Maine
Limit: $6,000
Fee: $50
MD
Maryland
Limit: $5,000
Fee: $35
MA
Massachusetts
Limit: $7,000
Fee: $40
MI
Michigan
Limit: $6,500
Fee: $30
MN
Minnesota
Limit: $15,000
Fee: $75
MS
Mississippi
Limit: $3,500
Fee: $50
MO
Missouri
Limit: $5,000
Fee: $45
MT
Montana
Limit: $7,000
Fee: $30
NE
Nebraska
Limit: $3,600
Fee: $39
NV
Nevada
Limit: $10,000
Fee: $50
NH
New Hampshire
Limit: $10,000
Fee: $65
NJ
New Jersey
Limit: $5,000
Fee: $30
NM
New Mexico
Limit: $10,000
Fee: $45
NY
New York
Limit: $10,000
Fee: $15
NC
North Carolina
Limit: $10,000
Fee: $96
ND
North Dakota
Limit: $15,000
Fee: $30
OH
Ohio
Limit: $6,000
Fee: $35
OK
Oklahoma
Limit: $10,000
Fee: $55
OR
Oregon
Limit: $10,000
Fee: $50
PA
Pennsylvania
Limit: $12,000
Fee: $52
RI
Rhode Island
Limit: $2,500
Fee: $75
SC
South Carolina
Limit: $7,500
Fee: $80
SD
South Dakota
Limit: $12,000
Fee: $45
TN
Tennessee
Limit: $25,000
Fee: $75
TX
Texas
Limit: $20,000
Fee: $54
UT
Utah
Limit: $11,000
Fee: $60
VT
Vermont
Limit: $5,000
Fee: $75
VA
Virginia
Limit: $5,000
Fee: $30
WA
Washington
Limit: $10,000
Fee: $14
WV
West Virginia
Limit: $10,000
Fee: $50
WI
Wisconsin
Limit: $10,000
Fee: $50
WY
Wyoming
Limit: $6,000
Fee: $25
View Full State Comparison Table →

Common Case Types

Find guides specific to your type of dispute

🏠

Landlord / Tenant Disputes

Resolve disputes over security deposits, unpaid rent, property damage, and wrongful eviction.

Security deposit withholdingUnpaid rentProperty damage
🔨

Contractor Disputes

Sue contractors for incomplete work, overcharging, property damage, or failure to deliver services.

Incomplete workOverchargingProperty damage
🚗

Car Accident Claims

Recover vehicle repair costs, medical expenses, and related damages from minor car accidents.

Fender bendersProperty damageUninsured driver
💵

Unpaid Loans / Debts

Collect on personal loans, bounced checks, unpaid invoices, and other money owed to you.

Personal loans to friends/familyBounced checksUnpaid invoices
📦

Defective Products

Sue retailers or manufacturers for defective goods, false advertising, or warranty violations.

Broken goodsFalse advertisingWarranty claims
📋

Services Not Rendered

Recover deposits and payments for services that were never delivered or were severely inadequate.

Wedding vendor no-showsRefund disputesSubscription fraud

Popular Guides

Answers to the most common small claims questions

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How Much Can You Sue for in Small Claims Court?
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Can You Sue a Business in Small Claims Court?
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I've Been Sued in Small Claims Court — What Do I Do?
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How Small Claims Court Works

The basics — in plain English

1

Send a Demand Letter

Give the other party a chance to resolve the dispute before court. Many cases settle here.

2

File Your Claim

Visit your local courthouse, complete the paperwork, and pay the filing fee (usually $30–$100).

3

Present Your Case

Attend your hearing with evidence. The judge decides — usually the same day.