small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Maine: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Maine, fill out a Statement of Claim (Form SC-001), serve the other party by certified mail, then file with your local District Court within 20 days. The filing fee is $50 for claims up to $4,500 or $120 for claims up to $10,

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Hawaii: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Hawaii, go to your local District Court. Fill out a Statement of Claim form. Pay the $35 filing fee. Then have the other side served. Your case gets set within 30 days. Hawaii caps most claims at $5,000. But security deposit cases have no

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Nevada: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Nevada, go to the justice court in your township. Fill out an Affidavit of Complaint. Pay between $66 and $196 based on your claim size. Then have the other side served. Nevada caps small claims at $10,000 (NRS 73.010). But here is the

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Kansas: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Kansas, go to the Clerk of the District Court in the county where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened. Fill out a Petition form, pay the filing fee ($47.50 to $67.50), and have the defendant served. Kansas small claims handles disputes

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Mississippi: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Mississippi, go to your county's Justice Court. Fill out a sworn statement of claim. Pay the filing fee ($40 to $100 depending on your county). The constable will serve the defendant. Mississippi's limit is $3,500. That's one of

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Nebraska: Complete 2026 Guide

How to File Small Claims in Nebraska To file small claims in Nebraska, fill out form CC 4:1 at your county court, pay $58, and have the other side served by certified mail or sheriff. The limit is $7,500 as of July 2025. Cases go to county court.

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in New Mexico: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in New Mexico, go to your local Magistrate Court. Fill out a complaint form. Pay $77 to $87. Then have the other side served. The court handles claims up to $10,000. Most cases wrap up in 30 to 60 days. New Mexico runs two small

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in West Virginia: Complete 2026 Guide

To file a small claims case in West Virginia, go to the Magistrate Court clerk's office in the county where the issue happened. Fill out a Civil Complaint form. Pay $30 to $50. The court sends your papers to the other side by certified mail. From filing to

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Idaho: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Idaho, go to the Magistrate Court in the county where the other person lives or where the problem happened. Fill out a Small Claims Form (CAO SC 1-2), pay $69, and have the papers sent to the other side. Idaho caps small claims at

small-claims-court

Small Claims Court Statute of Limitations by State (2026)

The statute of limitations for small claims court ranges from 1 to 10 years depending on your state and claim type. For written contracts, most states give you 3 to 6 years. For oral contracts, it's often 2 to 6 years. Personal injury claims are shorter: 1 to

Small Claims Court

How to File Small Claims in Tennessee: Complete 2026 Guide

Tennessee Has the Highest Small Claims Limit in America If someone owes you money in Tennessee, you're in luck. Tennessee's General Sessions Court lets you sue for up to $25,000 in most counties. That's the highest small claims limit in the entire country.

Freelancers

What to Do When Someone Won't Pay Your Invoice (2026 Guide)

You did the work. You sent the invoice. You waited. Then you waited some more. Now it's been 30, 60, maybe 90 days and the person who hired you still hasn't paid. Sound familiar? You're not alone. According to the Freelancers Union, 71% of

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Virginia: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Virginia, go to the Small Claims Division of your local General District Court. Fill out a Warrant in Debt (form DC-412). Pay the filing fee ($30 to $75 based on your claim). Then have the other side served. Virginia caps small claims at $5,

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Missouri: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Missouri, go to the Small Claims Division of your county's Associate Circuit Court. Fill out a Petition for Small Claims (form SC40). Pay the filing fee (which ranges from $20 to $100 depending on your county). Then have the other side served by

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Maryland: Complete 2026 Guide

To file a small claim in Maryland, fill out form DC-CV-001 and bring it to the District Court where the other person lives. Pay $34 to $46 to file. The court sets a hearing date about 60 days out. Maryland small claims covers money disputes of $5,000

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in South Carolina: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in South Carolina, go to the Magistrate Court in the county where the other person lives. Fill out a Summons and Complaint form. Pay the $80 filing fee plus $40 for service. Your trial gets set within 30 to 60 days. The limit is $7,500.

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Wisconsin: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Wisconsin, go to the Circuit Court in your county. Fill out a Summons and Complaint (form SC-500). Pay the filing fee ($94 to $105 total). The court clerk mails a copy to the other side for you. Wisconsin caps most small claims at $10,

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Minnesota: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Minnesota, go to your county's Conciliation Court. Fill out a Statement of Claim and Summons form. Pay the filing fee ($65 to $80 depending on your county). For claims of $2,500 or less, the court mails the papers to the other side

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Iowa: Complete 2026 Guide

How to File Small Claims in Iowa The Iowa small claims court process is simple. Set up a free account on the Iowa eFiling portal. Fill out the Original Notice form. Pay $95 online. The clerk sends the papers to the other side by certified mail at no extra cost.

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Alabama: Complete 2026 Guide

To file a small claims case in Alabama, go to your county's District Court clerk's office, fill out Form SM-01, pay the filing fee ($35 to $223 depending on your claim amount), and have the court serve the defendant. Most cases go from filing to

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Arkansas: Complete 2026 Guide

To file a small claims case in Arkansas, go to the District Court clerk in the county where the person you're suing lives. Fill out a complaint form. Pay the filing fee ($30 to $65). Have the other party served. The whole thing takes about 30 to 90

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Utah: Complete 2026 Guide

To file a small claims case in Utah, go to your local justice court, fill out an Affidavit and Summons form, pay a filing fee between $60 and $185, and have the defendant served. Utah lets you sue for up to $20,000 in small claims court. Most cases wrap

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Oklahoma: Complete 2026 Guide

How to File Small Claims in Oklahoma To file small claims in Oklahoma, go to your local District Court, fill out the Small Claims Affidavit, pay the filing fee ($42 to $80 depending on your county and claim size), and have the defendant served at least 7 days before the

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Connecticut: Complete 2026 Guide

To file in Connecticut small claims court, fill out form JD-CV-40, serve it on the defendant, then bring the papers to the clerk. The filing fee is $95 flat. Hearings happen on video call. Most cases resolve within 60 to 90 days. One thing most guides miss: Connecticut

small-claims-court

How to File Small Claims in Oregon: Complete 2026 Guide

To file small claims in Oregon, go to your county Circuit Court, fill out the claim form, pay $57 or $102, and serve the other side within 63 days. Oregon lets you sue for up to $10,000. Most cases finish in 30 to 60 days. This guide covers every