Small Claims Court
Small claims court is the low-cost, do-it-yourself way to sue over money — no jury, simple forms, quick hearings. It’s state (and sometimes local) law, so the most you can sue for, whether you can bring a lawyer, and how appeals work all depend on where you file.
Know your options
- Built for regular people: Forms are simple, filing fees are low (often $30–$100), and hearings are informal. You tell your side to a judge — there’s no jury.
- There’s a dollar cap: Each state limits how much you can sue for in small claims — from a few thousand dollars up to $25,000. Above the cap, you use a regular civil court.
- Lawyers — sometimes: Most states let you bring a lawyer but don’t require one. A few (like California and Michigan) bar lawyers from the small-claims hearing to keep it fair.
- Appeals are limited: If you lose, your right to appeal is narrow and short — often a few days to a few weeks, and in some states only the person who was sued can appeal.
Your state’s rules
Pick your state above to see your rules.
Alabama
- Most you can sue for
- $6,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims docket of the district court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed on either side.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to circuit court within 14 days — a new trial (de novo).
Alaska
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims in the District Court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed (required for collection-agency assignees).
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to superior court within 30 days — on the record, not a new trial.
Arizona
- Most you can sue for
- $5,000 (raised from $3,500 in 2025).
- Where you file
- Small claims division of the justice court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Not allowed unless both sides agree in writing.
- Appeal
- No appeal — the decision is final. (Move the case to the regular civil docket first if you want appeal rights.)
Arkansas
- Most you can sue for
- $5,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims division of the district court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Not allowed — if either side brings one, the case moves to the regular docket.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to circuit court within 30 days — a new trial (de novo), with a bond.
California
- Most you can sue for
- $12,500 (individuals); $6,250 for businesses.
- Where you file
- Small claims division of the superior court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Not allowed at trial (you can consult one first; they’re allowed on appeal).
- Appeal
- Only the person sued can appeal, within 30 days — the plaintiff can’t.
Colorado
- Most you can sue for
- $7,500.
- Where you file
- Small claims division of the county court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Not allowed unless the defendant hires one first (then you can too).
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to district court within 15 days (on the law, not the facts).
Connecticut
- Most you can sue for
- $5,000 (higher for some housing-security-deposit claims).
- Where you file
- Small Claims (a session of the Superior Court).
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- No appeal — a small-claims judgment is final (you can ask to reopen within 4 months).
Delaware
- Most you can sue for
- $25,000 — the highest small-claims cap in the country.
- Where you file
- Justice of the Peace Court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to the Court of Common Pleas within 15 days — a new trial (de novo).
Florida
- Most you can sue for
- $8,000 (excluding interest, costs, and fees).
- Where you file
- County court, small claims division.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to the circuit court within 30 days (on the record).
Georgia
- Most you can sue for
- $15,000.
- Where you file
- Magistrate court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal within 30 days (default or no-show judgments can’t be appealed).
Hawaii
- Most you can sue for
- $5,000 (no limit for the return of a residential security deposit).
- Where you file
- Small Claims Division of the District Court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed — but not in security-deposit cases.
- Appeal
- No appeal — a small-claims judgment is final (you can ask to set it aside within 10 days).
Idaho
- Most you can sue for
- $5,000.
- Where you file
- Small Claims Department of the magistrate court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Not allowed — no lawyers for either side (allowed on appeal).
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to district court within 30 days — a new trial (de novo).
Illinois
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims division of the circuit court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed; corporations must be represented by one.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal within 30 days.
Indiana
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000 ($8,000 in Marion County township courts).
- Where you file
- Small claims court (circuit, superior, or county).
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal within 30 days.
Iowa
- Most you can sue for
- $6,500.
- Where you file
- Small claims docket of the district court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal within 20 days.
Kansas
- Most you can sue for
- $4,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims procedure in the district court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Not allowed at the hearing (unless the other side is/uses a lawyer); allowed on appeal.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to a district judge within 14 days for a new trial.
Kentucky
- Most you can sue for
- $2,500 — one of the lowest in the country.
- Where you file
- Small Claims Division of the District Court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to circuit court within 10 days — a new trial (de novo).
Louisiana
- Most you can sue for
- $5,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims division of a city or parish court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed (individuals may self-represent; businesses usually need one).
- Appeal
- No appeal from a small-claims judgment — move the case to the regular docket within 10 days if you want that right.
Maine
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000 (raised from $6,000 on Jan 1, 2026).
- Where you file
- Small claims in the District Court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal within 30 days (a plaintiff only on a question of law; a defendant on law or facts).
Maryland
- Most you can sue for
- $5,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims in the District Court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to circuit court within 30 days — a new trial (de novo).
Massachusetts
- Most you can sue for
- $7,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims session of the District or Boston Municipal Court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Only a defendant who showed up and lost can appeal (the plaintiff can’t), within 10 days, with a $100 bond.
Michigan
- Most you can sue for
- $7,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims division of the district court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Not allowed at the hearing.
- Appeal
- Very limited — if a magistrate heard it, appeal within 7 days and both sides must consent. You can move the case out of small claims to keep full appeal rights.
Minnesota
- Most you can sue for
- $20,000 (raised from $15,000 in 2024; $4,000 for consumer-credit claims).
- Where you file
- Conciliation Court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed, but an individual can’t use a non-lawyer.
- Appeal
- “Remove” the case to district court within 20 days for a new trial (de novo).
Mississippi
- Most you can sue for
- $3,500.
- Where you file
- Justice court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed on either side.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to circuit court within 10 days, with a bond.
Missouri
- Most you can sue for
- $5,000.
- Where you file
- Small Claims Division of the Associate Circuit Court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed in most counties (a few bar them at the hearing).
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal within 10 days — a new trial (de novo).
Montana
- Most you can sue for
- $7,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims division of the justice court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Only if both sides agree in writing.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to district court within 10 days — a new trial (de novo).
Nebraska
- Most you can sue for
- $7,500 (raised from $3,900; rises with inflation).
- Where you file
- Small Claims Court (a division of the county court).
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Not allowed — one of the strictest no-lawyer rules.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to district court within 30 days.
Nevada
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims division of the justice court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed on either side.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to district court within 5 days — one of the shortest windows in the country.
New Hampshire
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims in the Circuit Court (District Division).
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to the Circuit Court’s civil division within 30 days — a new trial (de novo).
New Jersey
- Most you can sue for
- $5,000 (higher-value cases go to the Special Civil Part, up to $20,000).
- Where you file
- Small Claims Section of the Special Civil Part (Superior Court).
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed; businesses suing for over $5,000 must use one.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to the Appellate Division within 45 days.
New Mexico
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000.
- Where you file
- Magistrate court (or Metropolitan Court in Bernalillo County).
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed on either side.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to district court within 15 days.
New York
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000 in New York City; $5,000 in town/village courts.
- Where you file
- Civil court (NYC) or town/village court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal — but an arbitrator’s decision is final.
North Carolina
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000 (some counties differ).
- Where you file
- Small claims — heard by a magistrate.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- The loser has an absolute right to appeal to District Court within 10 days (a new trial).
North Dakota
- Most you can sue for
- $15,000.
- Where you file
- Small Claims Court (district court).
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- No appeal — the decision is final. (Choose regular court instead if you want appeal rights.)
Ohio
- Most you can sue for
- $6,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims division of the municipal or county court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed; corporations generally must use one.
- Appeal
- Object to the magistrate within 14 days; then appeal to the court of appeals within 30 days.
Oklahoma
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims docket of the district court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed on either side.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to the district court (regular docket) within 30 days.
Oregon
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims department of the circuit or justice court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Not allowed without the judge’s permission.
- Appeal
- No appeal — small-claims judgments are final. File in regular court if you want appeal rights.
Pennsylvania
- Most you can sue for
- $12,000.
- Where you file
- Magisterial District Court (Philadelphia uses Municipal Court).
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to the Court of Common Pleas within 30 days — a new trial (de novo).
Rhode Island
- Most you can sue for
- $2,500 — the lowest in the nation.
- Where you file
- Small claims in the District Court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Only the defendant can appeal, within 14 days (a new trial) — the plaintiff is bound by the decision.
South Carolina
- Most you can sue for
- $7,500.
- Where you file
- Magistrate court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to the Court of Common Pleas within 30 days.
South Dakota
- Most you can sue for
- $12,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims (a division of the circuit or magistrate court).
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but uncommon.
- Appeal
- Very limited — generally no appeal (a defendant may appeal on a point of law within 30 days).
Tennessee
- Most you can sue for
- $25,000 — the highest in the nation ($15,000 in Anderson, Davidson, Hamilton, and Knox counties).
- Where you file
- General Sessions Court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed for both sides.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to circuit court within 10 days — a new trial (de novo).
Texas
- Most you can sue for
- $20,000 (including any attorney fees).
- Where you file
- Justice of the Peace (justice) court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to county court within 21 days — a brand-new trial (trial de novo).
Utah
- Most you can sue for
- $20,000 (rising to $25,000 in 2030).
- Where you file
- Small claims in the justice court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed on either side.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to district court within 28 days — a new trial (de novo).
Vermont
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000 ($5,000 for consumer-credit claims).
- Where you file
- Small Claims (a division of the Superior Court).
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to Superior Court within 30 days — a review for legal error, not a new trial.
Virginia
- Most you can sue for
- $5,000 (bigger cases go to the regular General District Court docket, up to $50,000).
- Where you file
- Small Claims Division of the General District Court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Not allowed at the small-claims trial (either side can move the case to the regular docket to bring one).
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to circuit court within 10 days — a new trial (de novo).
Washington
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000 (individuals); $5,000 for businesses.
- Where you file
- Small claims department of the district court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Not allowed without the judge’s permission.
- Appeal
- Limited — you generally can’t appeal a claim under $250, or your own claim unless it was over $1,000.
West Virginia
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000 (magistrate court; the overall civil limit rose to $20,000 in 2025).
- Where you file
- Magistrate court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed but not required.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to circuit court within 20 days — a new trial (de novo).
Wisconsin
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000 ($5,000 for tort claims).
- Where you file
- Small claims division of the circuit court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed for both sides.
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to the Court of Appeals within 45 days.
Wyoming
- Most you can sue for
- $6,000.
- Where you file
- Small claims in the Circuit Court.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- Allowed (if one side brings a lawyer, the other gets time to get one too).
- Appeal
- Either side can appeal to district court within 30 days (on questions of law and the sufficiency of the evidence).
Educational only — not legal advice. Laws change; confirm the current rule with the linked official source before you rely on it.
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