Small Claims Court Limits by State 2026
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
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Small claims court is designed for disputes too small for a full lawsuit but too large to walk away from. Every state sets its own maximum dollar amount you can sue for:
| State | Maximum Limit | Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $6,000 | $50-$300 |
| Alaska | $10,000 | $50-$100 |
| Arizona | $3,500 | $25-$70 |
| Arkansas | $5,000 | $30-$65 |
| California | $10,000 (individual); $5,000 (business) | $30-$75 |
| Colorado | $7,500 | $31-$55 |
| Connecticut | $5,000 | $95 |
| Delaware | $25,000 | $35-$50 |
| Florida | $8,000 | $55-$300 |
| Georgia | $15,000 | $45-$75 |
| Hawaii | $5,000; $40,000 (summary possession) | $35 |
| Idaho | $5,000 | $75 |
| Illinois | $10,000 | $20-$200 |
| Indiana | $8,000 | $35-$97 |
| Iowa | $6,500 | $40-$95 |
| Kansas | $4,000 | $35-$85 |
| Kentucky | $2,500 | $25-$50 |
| Louisiana | $5,000 | $50-$150 |
| Maine | $6,000 | $40-$80 |
| Maryland | $5,000 | $34-$51 |
| Massachusetts | $7,000 | $40-$150 |
| Michigan | $6,500 | $30-$70 |
| Minnesota | $15,000 | $75 |
| Mississippi | $3,500 | $45 |
| Missouri | $5,000 | $25-$50 |
| Montana | $7,000 | $10-$30 |
| Nebraska | $3,600 | $26 |
| Nevada | $10,000 | $50-$100 |
| New Hampshire | $10,000 | $50-$175 |
| New Jersey | $5,000; $3,000 (against landlord) | $15-$50 |
| New Mexico | $10,000 | $25 |
| New York | $5,000 (city); $3,000 (town/village) | $15-$20 |
| North Carolina | $10,000 | $96 |
| North Dakota | $15,000 | $10-$50 |
| Ohio | $6,000 | $25-$60 |
| Oklahoma | $10,000 | $31-$60 |
| Oregon | $10,000 | $35-$50 |
| Pennsylvania | $12,000 | $50-$100 |
| Rhode Island | $2,500 | $23-$35 |
| South Carolina | $7,500 | $40-$80 |
| South Dakota | $12,000 | $29-$50 |
| Tennessee | $25,000 | $50-$165 |
| Texas | $20,000 | $31-$100 |
| Utah | $11,000 | $60-$185 |
| Vermont | $5,000 | $30-$75 |
| Virginia | $5,000 | $40-$75 |
| Washington | $10,000 | $35-$50 |
| West Virginia | $10,000 | $20-$50 |
| Wisconsin | $10,000 | $70-$95 |
| Wyoming | $6,000 | $10-$20 |
| Washington, DC | $10,000 | $15-$35 |
Highest and Lowest Limits
Highest limits (best for larger disputes):
- Tennessee — $25,000
- Delaware — $25,000
- Texas — $20,000
- Georgia — $15,000
- Minnesota — $15,000
Lowest limits (may need regular court for moderate claims):
- Kentucky — $2,500
- Rhode Island — $2,500
- Arizona — $3,500
- Mississippi — $3,500
- Nebraska — $3,600
Attorneys: Allowed or Not?
| Rule | States |
|---|---|
| Attorneys NOT allowed | California, Michigan, Nebraska, and a few others |
| Attorneys allowed but not required | Most states |
| Attorney may be required for businesses | Some states require LLC/corp representation by attorney |
In states where attorneys aren't allowed, both parties represent themselves — creating a more level playing field.
What You Can Sue For
Small claims court handles money disputes only — you're asking for a specific dollar amount, not for someone to do something.
| Common Cases | Example |
|---|---|
| Unpaid debts | Friend owes $3,000 from a loan |
| Property damage | Neighbor's tree fell on your car |
| Security deposit | Landlord kept $2,000 deposit unfairly |
| Breach of contract | Contractor didn't finish the job |
| Consumer disputes | Product failed, company won't refund |
| Car accident | Minor collision, other driver's insurance won't pay |
| Personal property | Someone damaged or kept your belongings |
What You Can't Do in Small Claims
- Get an injunction (order someone to stop doing something)
- File for divorce, custody, or eviction
- Sue the federal government
- File criminal charges
- Recover amounts above the state limit
Key Rules to Know
Statute of Limitations
You must file within the time limit (varies by claim type and state):
| Claim Type | Typical Limit |
|---|---|
| Written contracts | 4-6 years |
| Oral contracts | 2-4 years |
| Property damage | 2-3 years |
| Personal injury | 2-3 years |
Where to File
File in the county where:
- The defendant lives or works
- The contract was signed or to be performed
- The incident occurred
Appeals
Some states allow the losing party to appeal to a higher court for a full trial. Others make the small claims judgment final (no appeal). Check your state's rules before filing.
Collecting Your Judgment
Winning is step one — collecting is step two. If the defendant doesn't pay voluntarily:
| Collection Method | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Wage garnishment | Court orders employer to deduct from paycheck |
| Bank levy | Sheriff seizes funds from defendant's bank account |
| Property lien | Attach a lien to defendant's real estate |
| Asset seizure | Sheriff takes personal property for auction |
| Debtor's examination | Court orders defendant to reveal assets |
Collection can take months or years. About 75-80% of small claims judgments are eventually collected.
Nolo — Small Claims Court Resources→Frequently Asked Questions
Can a business sue in small claims court?
In most states, yes — but some states have lower limits for business plaintiffs (California limits businesses to $5,000 vs $10,000 for individuals). Some states require businesses to be represented by an attorney.
What if my claim is over the state limit?
You can either: (1) sue for the maximum and waive the excess, or (2) file in regular civil court (more expensive and time-consuming). For claims slightly over the limit, many people choose to cap their claim at the small claims maximum.
Use our Small Claims Guide to check your state's rules, learn how to file a case step by step, and see the security deposit dispute guide for the most common small claims case.
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