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Small claims court in your state.

The limit, the fee, how to file and how to collect, in plain words. Start with the basics that apply everywhere, then pick your state. Every answer links to where we found it and says how sure we are, and nothing you type leaves your device.

This is information, not legal advice. Last checked November 14, 2026. Limits and fees change. Your court can tell you the current rules. If a court page looks older than the law, ask the clerk. For advice about your situation, talk to legal aid or a lawyer.

The basics

What small claims court is

Small claims court is a simpler part of the court system for money disputes. You fill out short forms, the rules are relaxed, and most people do it without a lawyer. In most places the judge can only order the other side to pay money, not to do or stop doing something.

From an official court or government source

Sources: California Courts Self-Help Guide, Small claims basics · Illinois Courts, How to File and Serve a Small Claims Complaint · NH Judicial Branch, A Quick Guide to Small Claims Cases

What it costs, and if you cannot pay

If you cannot afford the filing fee, almost every state has a way to ask the court to waive or delay it. Ask the clerk for the fee waiver form, which may be called an affidavit of indigency or a request to waive court fees.

From an official court or government source

Example: Illinois Courts, How to File and Serve a Small Claims Complaint (Application for Waiver of Court Fees) · Read the source

Winning is not the same as getting paid

The court does not collect the money for you. If the other side does not pay, you have to use extra court steps, and some of those cost fees: wage garnishment (taking part of a paycheck), a bank levy (taking money from a bank account), or a lien (a claim on property).

From an official court or government source

Sources: California Self-Help Guide, If you win · Minnesota Judicial Branch, Conciliation Court self-help

What to bring

Bring your proof: contracts, receipts, repair estimates, letters, emails, texts, photos, and witnesses. Witnesses in person are best. Many courts ask for copies of everything; ask yours how many.

From an official court or government source

Superior Court of California, County of Santa Cruz, Preparing for Your Small Claims Trial · Read the source

What changed recently

Limits that went up or changed in the last few years, where an official source says so. Where we could not confirm the day a change took effect, we leave the date out.

Pick your state

Private. Nothing you type on this page leaves your phone or computer. Your state shows in the page address (like #RI) so you can share the link, and it is remembered on this device only. No sign-up.

Pick your state above. Its limit, filing fee, where to file, serving the papers, appeals, collecting and free help will show here.

More that applies in every state

Ask first, in writing

Before you sue, ask the other side in writing to pay or fix the problem, and keep a copy. Some states require it: Oregon makes you swear on the claim form that you tried in good faith to resolve it first.

From an official court or government source

Oregon Judicial Department, Small Claims Instructions for Plaintiff (form 05-77, 01/26) · Read the source

If you are the one being sued

If you are sued, do not ignore it. Depending on the state, you must file a written answer by a deadline or simply show up on the court date. If you do neither, the other side usually wins by default without you.

From an official court or government source

Sources: California Self-Help Guide, Respond to a claim · Fulton County (GA) Magistrate Court, Small Claims Defendant Pamphlet

Free mediation

Many small claims courts offer free mediation, where a neutral person helps both sides reach a deal. Some require it first, like Maine on the hearing day, New Hampshire for claims of $5,000 or more, and Utah and Hawaii through online dispute resolution.

From an official court or government source

Sources: Maine Small Claims Guide, Part B.11 · NH Quick Guide to Small Claims Cases · Lehi (UT) Justice Court, Small Claims · Hawaii Judiciary, Small Claims page

Owing money is not a crime

You generally cannot be arrested or jailed just for owing money on a civil judgment. But if a judge orders you to come to a hearing about your money and you skip it, some states can issue a civil arrest or contempt order.

From an official court or government source

Sources: North Carolina Judicial Branch, Lawsuits help topic · Maine Judicial Branch, Small Claims Guide, Part C.7

How much of a paycheck can be taken

Federal law limits wage garnishment for ordinary debts to the smaller of 25 percent of take-home pay or the amount over 30 times the federal minimum wage ($217.50 a week). If your state's limit is lower, the lower one applies. You cannot be fired over garnishment for one debt.

From an official court or government source

U.S. Department of Labor, Fact Sheet #30: Federal Wage Garnishment Law (CCPA Title III) · Read the source

Money that is protected

Social Security, SSI, veterans benefits, federal retirement and some other federal benefits are generally protected from people collecting a judgment. If they are directly deposited, your bank must protect two months of benefits in your account.

From an official court or government source

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Can a debt collector garnish my federal benefits? · Read the source

If you have a disability

Courts must make reasonable changes for people with disabilities and communicate effectively, for example with a sign language interpreter. Contact the court's ADA coordinator or clerk before your hearing.

From an official court or government source

U.S. Department of Justice, ADA Title II (State and Local Governments) topic page · Read the source

If you need an interpreter

If you do not speak English well, ask the clerk early about an interpreter. In 2010 the U.S. Justice Department told state courts that get federal money to provide free language help in civil cases. Some small claims courts still ask you to bring your own, so check.

From an official court or government source

Sources: U.S. Department of Justice press release, Aug. 17, 2010 · Santa Cruz Superior Court, Preparing for Your Small Claims Trial

Sources, and how sure we are

We read each state answer on a court, state or county government page where we could. A few come from a secondary source, like a legal aid group or a bar association. Some answers come from one county's court, and we say so under the answer. Limits and fees change. Your court can tell you the current rules. If a court page looks older than the law, ask the clerk.

Last checked November 14, 2026.

350
of the 459 state answers came from the statute or an official court or state source.
20
came from a secondary source. Each one has an amber label.
89
we could not confirm, so we make no claim and point you to the court.

That is 9 answers for each of 50 states and Washington, D.C. The basics above come from court and federal government pages.

Who made this, and how to correct it

This is information, not legal advice. Laws change. For advice about your situation, talk to legal aid or a lawyer.

Made by Known Quantity LLC, a small Rhode Island company, as free public-interest work. We have no relationship with any court or legal service, and no one paid for this page. We do not see or keep anything you type here.

If we got something wrong or a limit has changed, email [email protected] with the source and we will fix it.

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Free to reuse, copy, print and share, with or without credit. Last checked November 14, 2026.

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