This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and county. Consult a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
Small Claims Court: What You Need to Know
A plain-language guide to whether small claims is right for you, how the process works, and what to expect.
Know the basics? Jump to the lookup tool.
Select your state to see your state's claim limit, filing fees, and official court website.
If you're here because of a dispute, you're in the right place.
Small claims court asks for documentation — receipts, messages, and agreements signed by both parties for the strongest validity. A signed Conti agreement captures exactly that. Create an agreement
What is small claims court?
Small claims court is a division of civil court designed for everyday disputes — no lawyers required, lower filing fees, and faster resolution than regular civil court.
It's built for people, not corporations. Students, renters, freelancers, and marketplace buyers and sellers use it to resolve money disputes without needing an attorney.
The tradeoff: claim limits are lower (they vary by state), and the process still requires you to show up prepared with documentation.
Is small claims right for you?
- Award you money you're owed
- Resolve disputes over deposits, unpaid work, damaged property, and broken agreements
- Give you a legally binding judgment
- Be filed without a lawyer
- Move relatively fast — weeks to months, not years
- Force someone to apologize or admit wrongdoing
- Return physical property in most states
- Handle criminal matters
- Award damages above the state limit
- Guarantee collection — winning a judgment and collecting are two different things
Small claims is a tool. Like any tool, it works best when you know what it's for.
How it works
Check that your dispute is a money claim and falls within your state's limit. The lookup tool at the bottom of this page can help.
What to bring to court
- Written agreements or contracts (signed by both parties for the strongest validity)
- Receipts, invoices, or payment records
- Text messages or emails related to the dispute
- Photos or videos of damaged property
- Witness statements (written or in person)
- Any prior attempts to resolve the dispute — messages asking for repayment, returned items, etc.
A signed Conti agreement is exactly this kind of documentation.
It captures what was agreed to, by whom, and when — in a format that's clear to everyone in the room, including a judge.
- Lawyer-vetted agreement templates
- Verified signatures with audit tracking
- Both parties verified by SMS
- General provisions included by default
- Custom assembly by agreement type
What to expect, timeline-wise
Timelines are general estimates. Your local court's schedule and caseload will determine actual timing.
Find what applies to your area
Small claims rules vary by state — and sometimes by county. Select your state to see the claim limit, filing fee range, and court info for your area.
Browse small claims rules for all 50 states
| State | Claim Limit | Filing Fee Range | Court | Filing Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Up to $6,000 | $45–$95 depending on claim amount | District Court — Small Claims Division | In person at your local District Court |
| Alaska | Up to $10,000 | $50–$100 | District Court | In person |
| Arizona | Up to $3,500 | $31–$58 depending on claim amount | Justice Court — Small Claims Division | In person |
| Arkansas | Up to $5,000 | $35–$75 | District Court | In person |
| California | Up to $12,500 | $30–$75 depending on claim amount | Superior Court — Small Claims Division | In person; some counties offer online filing |
| Colorado | Up to $7,500 | $31–$55 | County Court — Small Claims Division | In person |
| Connecticut | Up to $5,000 | $75–$95 | Superior Court — Small Claims Session | In person |
| Delaware | Up to $25,000 | $25–$50 depending on claim amount | Justice of the Peace Court | In person |
| District of Columbia | Up to $10,000 | $5–$45 depending on claim amount | Superior Court — Small Claims Branch | In person |
| Florida | Up to $8,000 | $55–$125 depending on claim amount | County Court | In person; some counties offer online filing |
| Georgia | Up to $15,000 | $45–$75 | Magistrate Court | In person |
| Hawaii | Up to $5,000 | $30–$80 | District Court — Small Claims Division | In person |
| Idaho | Up to $5,000 | $31–$56 | Small Claims Court | In person |
| Illinois | Up to $10,000 | $50–$130 depending on claim amount | Circuit Court — Small Claims Division | In person; some circuits allow online filing |
| Indiana | Up to $10,000 | $35–$55 | Small Claims Court | In person |
| Iowa | Up to $6,500 | $40–$85 | Small Claims Court | In person |
| Kansas | Up to $4,000 | $35–$55 | Small Claims Court | In person |
| Kentucky | Up to $2,500 | $20–$50 | Small Claims Court | In person |
| Louisiana | Up to $5,000 | $50–$100 | City/Parish Court — Small Claims Division | In person |
| Maine | Up to $6,000 | $40–$80 | District Court — Small Claims | In person |
| Maryland | Up to $5,000 | $34–$75 depending on claim amount | District Court | In person; online filing available at mdcourts.gov |
| Massachusetts | Up to $7,000 | $30–$100 depending on claim amount | District Court — Small Claims Session | In person |
| Michigan | Up to $7,000 | $30–$70 depending on claim amount | District Court — Small Claims Division | In person |
| Minnesota | Up to $15,000 | $65–$75 | Conciliation Court | In person; online filing available in some districts |
| Mississippi | Up to $3,500 | $30–$65 | Justice Court — Small Claims Division | In person |
| Missouri | Up to $5,000 | $30–$50 | Small Claims Court | In person |
| Montana | Up to $7,000 | $30–$60 | Justice Court — Small Claims | In person |
| Nebraska | Up to $3,600 | $30–$55 | County Court — Small Claims | In person |
| Nevada | Up to $10,000 | $60–$100 | Justice Court — Small Claims Division | In person |
| New Hampshire | Up to $10,000 | $65–$100 | Circuit Court — Small Claims | In person |
| New Jersey | Up to $5,000 | $35–$75 depending on claim amount | Superior Court — Special Civil Part, Small Claims Section | In person |
| New Mexico | Up to $10,000 | $30–$60 | Magistrate Court — Small Claims | In person |
| Outside New York City, New York | Up to $5,000 | $10–$20 | City Court or Town/Village Justice Court — Small Claims | In person |
| New York City (five boroughs), New York | Up to $10,000 | $15–$20 | NYC Civil Court — Small Claims Part | In person; resources at nycourts.gov |
| North Carolina | Up to $10,000 | $30–$96 depending on claim amount | Magistrate Court (Small Claims) | In person |
| North Dakota | Up to $15,000 | $35–$75 | Small Claims Court | In person |
| Ohio | Up to $6,000 | $30–$75 depending on claim amount | Small Claims Court | In person; some courts offer limited online options |
| Oklahoma | Up to $10,000 | $45–$80 | Small Claims Court | In person |
| Oregon | Up to $10,000 | $45–$95 depending on claim amount | Small Claims Court | In person |
| Pennsylvania | Up to $12,000 | $30–$75 | Magisterial District Court | In person |
| Rhode Island | Up to $2,500 | $45–$80 | District Court — Small Claims | In person |
| South Carolina | Up to $7,500 | $40–$80 | Magistrate Court — Small Claims Division | In person |
| South Dakota | Up to $12,000 | $40–$70 | Small Claims Court | In person |
| Tennessee | Up to $25,000 | $60–$150 depending on claim amount | General Sessions Court | In person |
| Texas | Up to $20,000 | $54–$125 depending on claim amount and county | Justice Court (Justice of the Peace) | In person; some counties offer online filing |
| Utah | Up to $11,000 | $60–$85 | Small Claims Court | In person; some courts offer limited online options |
| Vermont | Up to $5,000 | $60–$100 | Small Claims Court | In person |
| Virginia | Up to $5,000 | $30–$75 depending on claim amount | General District Court — Small Claims Division | In person |
| Washington | Up to $10,000 | $30–$60 | District Court — Small Claims | In person |
| West Virginia | Up to $10,000 | $30–$65 | Magistrate Court | In person |
| Wisconsin | Up to $10,000 | $30–$95 depending on claim amount | Small Claims Court | In person |
| Wyoming | Up to $6,000 | $35–$60 | Circuit Court — Small Claims Division | In person |
Next time, protect yourself before it gets here.
Small claims court exists because deals fall apart. A Conti agreement won't prevent every dispute — but it makes sure both people are on the same page from the start, and gives you the documentation you'd need if things go sideways.
This isn't legal advice. It's just a better starting point.
Create an agreement — it's free to start