SMALL CLAIMS COURT GUIDE · 51 STATES

Small claims court, by state

Maximum claim amounts, filing fees, whether lawyers are allowed, appeal rules, and the official forms — for every state we've indexed.

Highest limit

$25,000

Delaware

Lowest limit

$2,500

Kentucky

Pick a state

$10,000 max claim

Small Claims (District Court)

$6,000 max claim

Small Claims Court (District Court)

$5,000 max claim

Small Claims Court (District Court)

$3,500 max claim

Small Claims Division (Justice Court)

No lawyers No appeal

$12,500 max claim

Small Claims Division of Superior Court

$7,500 max claim

Small Claims Court (County Court)

$5,000 max claim

Small Claims Court (Superior Court)

Lawyers OK No appeal

District of Columbia DC

$10,000 max claim

Small Claims and Conciliation Branch (D.C. Superior Court)

$25,000 max claim

Civil Division (Justice of the Peace Court)

$8,000 max claim

County Court (Small Claims Division)

$15,000 max claim

Magistrate Court

$5,000 max claim

Small Claims Division (District Court)

Lawyers OK No appeal

$6,500 max claim

Small Claims (District Court)

$5,000 max claim

Small Claims Department (Magistrate Division)

$10,000 max claim

Circuit Court (Small Claims)

$10,000 max claim

Small Claims Court (Superior or Township Court)

$4,000 max claim

Small Claims (Limited Actions Division)

$2,500 max claim

Small Claims Division (District Court)

$5,000 max claim

Small Claims Division (City or Parish Court)

Lawyers OK No appeal

Massachusetts MA

$7,000 max claim

Small Claims Session (District Court)

$5,000 max claim

Small Claims (District Court)

$6,000 max claim

Small Claims Court (District Court)

$7,000 max claim

District Court (Small Claims Division)

No lawyers No appeal

$15,000 max claim

Conciliation Court

$5,000 max claim

Small Claims Court (Associate Circuit Division)

$3,500 max claim

Justice Court (Small Claims)

$8,000 max claim

Small Claims Court (Justice Court)

North Carolina NC

$10,000 max claim

Magistrate's Court (Small Claims Division)

North Dakota ND

$15,000 max claim

Small Claims Court (District Court)

No lawyers No appeal

$3,800 max claim

Small Claims Court (County Court)

New Hampshire NH

$10,000 max claim

Small Claims (District Division)

$5,000 max claim

Small Claims Section (Special Civil Part)

$10,000 max claim

Magistrate Court (Civil)

$10,000 max claim

Small Claims Court (Justice Court)

$10,000 max claim

Small Claims Part of City, Town, or Village Court

$6,000 max claim

Small Claims Division (Municipal/County Court)

$10,000 max claim

Small Claims Court (District Court)

$10,000 max claim

Small Claims Department (Justice or Circuit Court)

Pennsylvania PA

$12,000 max claim

Magisterial District Court

Rhode Island RI

$5,000 max claim

Small Claims Court (District Court)

South Carolina SC

$7,500 max claim

Magistrate Court

South Dakota SD

$12,000 max claim

Small Claims (Magistrate or Circuit Court)

Lawyers OK No appeal

$25,000 max claim

General Sessions Court (Civil)

$20,000 max claim

Justice of the Peace Court

$15,000 max claim

Small Claims (Justice or District Court)

$5,000 max claim

Small Claims Division (General District Court)

$10,000 max claim

Small Claims (Superior Court — Civil Division)

$10,000 max claim

Small Claims Department (District Court)

$10,000 max claim

Small Claims (Circuit Court)

West Virginia WV

$10,000 max claim

Magistrate Court

$6,000 max claim

Small Claims Court (Circuit or Justice Court)

How small claims works

Small claims courts are simplified civil courts designed for self- represented litigants. The procedure varies by state — California bars lawyers entirely at the initial hearing, Michigan disallows appeals, and Texas and Georgia let lawyers in but cap claims at $20,000 and $15,000 respectively. Pick your state above for the specifics.