Comparison • Civil
Michigan Small Claims vs Circuit Court
Where to file your Michigan civil dispute — small claims, district court general civil, or circuit court — and how each works.
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Michigan small claims handles money disputes up to $7,000 in district court — informal, no attorneys, no appeals. District court general civil handles up to $25,000 with attorneys and appeals. Circuit court handles claims above $25,000 and equitable matters like injunctions.
Key points
- Small claims: ≤$7,000, no attorneys, no appeals.
- District court general civil: ≤$25,000, attorneys allowed.
- Circuit court: >$25,000 and most equitable claims.
- Either party can remove a small claims case to district court general civil.
- Filing fees scale with the size of the claim.
| Factor | Small claims | District / Circuit court |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum claim | $7,000 | Up to $25,000 (district) / unlimited (circuit) |
| Attorneys allowed | No | Yes |
| Filing fees | $30–$70 | $45–$255 |
| Discovery | None | Yes (interrogatories, depositions, etc.) |
| Appeals | None | Yes (to circuit / Court of Appeals) |
| Hearing length | 5–15 minutes typical | 30 minutes – multi-day |
Direct answers to common questions
Can I split my $10,000 claim into two small claims cases?+
No — splitting a single claim to fit the limit is prohibited and will get the second case dismissed.
What does 'removal' mean?+
Either party can demand a small claims case be moved to district court general civil before the hearing. Then attorneys can appear and standard rules apply.
When should I file in circuit court?+
When you're seeking more than $25,000 or non-money relief like an injunction or specific performance.
Official Michigan resources
These links go directly to government and public-interest sources for self-represented litigants. Always verify form numbers and procedures with your local court.
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Important: Clear Path Document Services is a document preparation and filing-assistance service — not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice, attorney representation, or create attorney-client relationships. All documents are prepared based on information you provide for educational and administrative purposes.Read full disclaimer.