What is the maximum amount I can sue for in Michigan small claims court?

The Michigan small claims court limit is $7,000. If your claim exceeds this amount, you can either reduce your claim to $7,000 (waiving the excess) or file in regular district or circuit court.

Do I need a lawyer for Michigan small claims court?

No. Small claims court in Michigan is designed for self-represented parties. In fact, corporations and LLCs must be represented by an officer or authorized employee, not an attorney. Individuals may not have attorney representation in small claims.

How much does it cost to file a small claims case in Michigan?

Filing fees are typically $30-$75 depending on the claim amount and court. You can also recover the filing fee as part of your judgment if you win.

Where do I file my small claims case?

File in the district court where the defendant lives or where the dispute occurred (where the contract was made, where the damage happened, etc.). If you're unsure, the court clerk can help determine if their court has proper jurisdiction.

What happens if the defendant doesn't show up?

If the defendant fails to appear after proper service, the court will enter a default judgment in your favor for the amount you requested, assuming your claim is valid.

How long do I have to file a small claims case in Michigan?

Michigan's statute of limitations sets the deadline. Most written and oral contract claims must be filed within 6 years, property damage and most other injury-to-property claims within 3 years. Filing after the deadline gives the defendant a complete defense, so file as early as you can.

How long does a Michigan small claims case take?

Most Michigan small claims cases are heard 3 to 8 weeks after filing. The clerk sets a hearing date when you file, the defendant is served by certified mail, and the magistrate usually decides at that single hearing.

Can I sue a business or LLC in Michigan small claims court?

Yes. Sue the business using its exact registered name and serve its resident agent. You can look up the registered name and agent address for free in the Michigan LARA business entity search.

What if I lose my small claims case in Michigan?

Either party can appeal a magistrate's small claims decision to a district court judge, generally within 7 days of the decision. The appeal is a new hearing before a judge, and attorneys are allowed at that stage.

Can I recover my filing fee and costs?

Yes. If you win, the magistrate can add your filing fee and service costs to the judgment. Small claims court does not award attorney fees, because attorneys are not permitted to represent individuals there.

How do I collect my judgment if I win?

If the defendant doesn't pay voluntarily, you can use enforcement tools including wage garnishment, bank account levy, or property liens. The court clerk can provide information about these post-judgment remedies.

Michigan Guide

How to File a Small Claims Case in Michigan

Everything you need to know about Michigan small claims court, from filing to collecting your judgment.

Quick Answer

What is the small claims limit in Michigan and how do I file?

Michigan small claims court handles disputes up to $7,000. You file an Affidavit and Claim (form DC 84) at the district court where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened, pay a $30-$75 filing fee, and the clerk sets a hearing usually 3 to 8 weeks out. Attorneys are not allowed to represent individuals, a magistrate decides the case at one short hearing, and the winner can add the filing fee and service costs to the judgment.

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Michigan Small Claims Court Overview

Michigan small claims court (part of the district court system) provides a simplified, affordable way to resolve disputes involving $7,000 or less. The process is designed so you can represent yourself without a lawyer. Cases are heard by a magistrate and typically resolved in one hearing.

Key Facts

• Maximum claim: $7,000
• Filing fee: $30-$75
• Attorneys: Not allowed for individuals
• Appeal: Either party can appeal to district court

Step 1: Determine If Small Claims Is Right

Good cases for small claims:

Unpaid debts or loans under $7,000
Security deposit disputes
Property damage claims
Breach of contract disputes
Defective products or services

Step 2: Prepare Your Filing

Complete an Affidavit and Claim form (available from your district court clerk). You'll need the defendant's full name and address, the amount you're claiming, and a clear description of why they owe you money.

Need help? ClearPath prepares complete small claims filing packets starting at $149.See small claims document preparation →

How to Fill Out Form DC 84, Line by Line

The Affidavit and Claim (DC 84) is one page. These are the blanks, in the order they appear, and what belongs in each one.

Court name and address: the district court that covers where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened.
Plaintiff: your full legal name, mailing address, and phone number.
Defendant: the person's full legal name, or a business's exact registered name and resident agent address from the Michigan LARA business entity search. A nickname or a store sign name can get your judgment thrown out.
Amount claimed: the dollar figure you are owed, up to $7,000. Anything above $7,000 is waived by filing here.
Reason for the claim: two or three plain sentences — what was agreed, what went wrong, and the date. Example: "On March 4, 2026, defendant agreed to repair my furnace for $1,450. The work was never completed and the deposit was not returned."
Date the claim arose: the day the money became owed. This is what the deadline runs from.
Signature: you sign under oath in front of the clerk or a notary — do not sign it in advance at home unless a notary is present.

Step 3: File and Serve

File your claim at the district court clerk's office and pay the filing fee. The court will issue a notice of hearing to the defendant. Make sure the defendant is properly served—the court usually handles this by mail, but personal service may be required.

Three ways a Michigan small claims defendant gets served:

Certified mail by the court clerk: the standard method and usually the cheapest. It fails if nobody signs for it.
Personal service by the sheriff or a process server: $25–$75, and the reliable fallback when mail comes back unsigned.
Acknowledgment of service: the defendant signs voluntarily — free, but only works when they cooperate.

Service must be complete a set number of days before the hearing. If it is not, the magistrate will adjourn and you start the clock again — so file with enough lead time.

Which District Court Do I File In?

Michigan small claims cases are heard in district court, and district courts are drawn by city and township, not by county. File where the defendant lives or does business, or where the dispute happened.

St. Clair County: the 72nd District Court covers Port Huron and Marine City; smaller communities are covered by the same district with separate locations.
Macomb County: several districts — 37th (Warren/Center Line), 38th (Eastpointe), 39th (Roseville/Fraser), 40th (St. Clair Shores), 41A/41B (Sterling Heights, Shelby, Clinton Township, Mount Clemens), 42nd (northern Macomb).
Oakland County: more than a dozen districts including the 6th (Oak Park), 43rd (Ferndale/Madison Heights/Hazel Park), 44th (Royal Oak), 48th (Bloomfield Hills), 50th (Pontiac), and 52nd (four divisions across northern Oakland).
Wayne County: the 36th District Court covers the City of Detroit; suburbs have their own districts such as the 16th (Livonia), 19th (Dearborn), and 29th (Wayne).

Not sure which one covers an address? Our Michigan court directory lists courts by county with addresses and phone numbers, and any clerk will confirm whether their court is the right one before you pay.

Step 4: Prepare for Your Hearing

What to bring to court:

Contracts, receipts, and invoices
Photos or videos of damage
Text messages, emails, and written communication
Witnesses who can support your claim
Repair estimates or other proof of damages

Step 5: Attend Your Hearing

Present your case clearly and concisely to the magistrate. Explain what happened, show your evidence, and state how much you're owed. The magistrate will either decide on the spot or mail a decision within a few days.

Michigan Small Claims Limits, Fees, and Deadlines at a Glance

Michigan small claims court limits, filing fees, and deadlines
Item	Michigan rule
Maximum claim	$7,000 (claims above this must be reduced or filed in regular district court)
Filing fee	$30 for claims up to $600, $50 for $600.01-$1,750, $75 for $1,750.01-$7,000
Main form	DC 84, Affidavit and Claim (Small Claims)
Where to file	District court where the defendant lives, does business, or where the dispute occurred
Typical time to hearing	3 to 8 weeks after filing
Contract claim deadline	6 years from the breach
Property damage deadline	3 years from the damage
Attorneys	Not allowed for individuals; businesses appear through an owner, officer, or employee
Appeal window	Generally 7 days from the magistrate's decision, reheard by a district judge
Judgment interest	Statutory interest runs from the date the complaint is filed

Fee amounts and court practices change. Confirm current amounts with your district court clerk before filing.

Small Claims vs. Regular District Court in Michigan

Comparison of Michigan small claims court and regular district court
Factor	Small claims	Regular district court
Amount	Up to $7,000	Up to $25,000
Attorneys	Not allowed for individuals	Allowed on both sides
Formality	Plain-English hearing before a magistrate	Formal rules of evidence and civil procedure
Jury	No jury	Jury available on request
Speed	Usually one hearing within a couple of months	Months, with discovery and motions
Paperwork	One affidavit and claim form	Summons, complaint, answer, and motion practice

Choosing small claims waives the right to a jury and to an attorney at the first hearing. If your dispute is complex, involves more than $7,000, or the other side is likely to be represented, regular district court may fit better. Clear Path prepares paperwork for both paths at your direction, and cannot advise you on which to choose.

Step 6: Collect Your Judgment

Winning is only half the job. A Michigan small claims judgment is not paid automatically. If the defendant does not pay within 21 days, these are the standard collection tools:

Discovery subpoena: Requires the debtor to disclose employer, bank, and asset information.
Wage garnishment: Periodic garnishment of the debtor's paycheck through their employer.
Bank garnishment: A non-periodic garnishment served on the debtor's bank.
State tax refund garnishment: Filed with the Michigan Department of Treasury for the coming tax year.
Judgment lien: Recorded against real property the debtor owns in the county.

Garnishments require a separate filing fee and a garnishment form, and a Michigan judgment stays enforceable for 10 years and can be renewed.

Michigan Small Claims FAQ

Need Help Filing Your Small Claims Case?

We prepare complete small claims filing packets with all required court documents. Every matter is reviewed before we give you a final price — nothing is purchased online.

Questions first? Call or text (833) 777-FILE and we will tell you whether small claims is the right court for your dispute.