Estimate your filing fees, service costs, and state claim limits before you file. Takes 60 seconds — no attorney required.
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Choose the closest description. Court limits and eligible case types vary, so verify the result with the court that would hear the claim.
Confirm venue, claim eligibility, filing deadline, service rules, and the evidence needed. Compare the likely recovery with filing, service, travel, and collection costs.
Small claims commonly focuses on money judgments. Injunctions, title disputes, or other nonmonetary relief may require another court or procedure.
Winning a judgment does not guarantee payment. Research lawful collection options, exemptions, additional fees, and whether the defendant has reachable income or assets.
Filing in small claims court typically costs $30–$150 in filing fees plus $15–$80 for serving the defendant — a total out-of-pocket cost of under $200 in most states. If you win, you can usually recover these fees from the other party as part of your judgment.
Small claims court is a simplified, low-cost division of the civil court system designed for disputes involving relatively small amounts of money. The process is intentionally streamlined so that ordinary people can represent themselves without an attorney. Hearings are informal, rules of evidence are relaxed, and judges typically issue a decision the same day. Common cases include unpaid rent or security deposits, personal loans that weren't repaid, property damage, minor contract disputes, and defective products or services.
Small claims court handles money disputes only — you can't use it to force someone to do something or seek non-monetary relief. Typical cases include landlord-tenant security deposit disputes (one of the most common), unpaid personal loans between friends or family, damage to your vehicle or property caused by someone else, refunds for poor workmanship (contractors, mechanics, service providers), and disputes over cancelled services or unfulfilled contracts. You cannot use small claims court to sue for defamation, personal injury exceeding the limit, or cases requiring injunctions.
| State | Claim Limit | Filing Fee Range |
|---|---|---|
| California | $12,500 (individuals) / $6,250 (businesses) | $30–$75 |
| Texas | $20,000 | $46–$131 |
| Florida | $8,000 | $55–$300 |
| New York | $10,000 (NYC) / $5,000 (other) | $15–$20 |
| Illinois | $10,000 | $51–$179 |
| Pennsylvania | $12,000 | $30–$100 |
| Ohio | $6,000 | $35–$100 |
| Georgia | $15,000 | $50–$90 |
| Washington | $10,000 | $14–$50 |
| Arizona | $3,500 | $18–$87 |
| Colorado | $7,500 | $31–$55 |
| Michigan | $6,500 | $30–$70 |
| North Carolina | $10,000 | $96 |
| Virginia | $5,000 | $26–$58 |
| Tennessee | $25,000 | $48–$60 |
Winning a small claims judgment is only half the battle. The court awards you a judgment, but it does not collect the money for you. If the defendant doesn't pay voluntarily, you'll need to take additional steps to collect — such as garnishing wages, levying a bank account, or placing a lien on property. These enforcement steps may require additional court filings and fees. About 40–60% of small claims winners have difficulty collecting their judgments, so it's worth assessing whether the defendant actually has assets before filing.
Small claims court is specifically designed for self-representation, and in some states like California, attorneys are actually barred from appearing at small claims hearings. That said, a one-time legal consultation ($150–$300) can be worth it in a few situations: if your claim is near the upper limit and you want to confirm you're presenting the strongest possible case; if the defendant has filed a counterclaim for a significant amount; if the case involves a complex contract interpretation or landlord-tenant law question; or if you're unsure whether the defendant can be successfully served or has collectible assets. Before filing, it's also worth consulting your state bar association's lawyer referral service or a legal aid clinic, many of which offer free advice sessions for small claims litigants.
Written by the FreeLegalIQ Editorial Team · Last updated: August 2026
Filing fee limits and small claims court thresholds sourced from the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) and state court self-help center publications.