Educational Guide • Small Claims
How to File in Michigan Small Claims Court
An educational walkthrough of Michigan's Small Claims Division for self-represented plaintiffs and defendants — including DC 84, fees, service, and hearing prep.
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.
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To file a Michigan small claims case, complete an Affidavit and Claim — Small Claims (DC 84) and file it in the district court for the defendant's residence or where the dispute occurred. Pay the filing fee ($30–$70 based on amount), arrange service, and bring your evidence to the hearing.
Key points
- Small claims handles money disputes up to $7,000.
- No attorneys are allowed at the small claims hearing.
- Filing fees range from $30 to $70 depending on the amount claimed.
- Cases are filed in the district court for the defendant's address or where the dispute happened.
- Either party can demand removal to the regular district court — at which point lawyers can appear.
The process, step by step
- 1
Confirm small claims is right
Claims must be for money only and $7,000 or less. Lease and contract disputes can fit; you cannot ask the judge to order specific actions.
- 2
Identify the right court
File in the district court covering the defendant's address or where the underlying transaction happened.
- 3
Complete DC 84
Fill out the Affidavit and Claim describing what is owed and why, then sign in front of a notary or court clerk.
- 4
File and pay
Submit the form to the clerk and pay $30 (≤$600), $50 ($600.01–$1,750), or $70 ($1,750.01–$7,000).
- 5
Serve the defendant
Most clerks send certified mail. If that fails, use a process server or sheriff.
- 6
Prepare for the hearing
Bring contracts, receipts, photos, text messages, and witnesses. Hearings are informal but evidence still wins or loses cases.
- 7
Collect the judgment
If you win and the defendant doesn't pay, you can request garnishment or a debtor's exam.
| Claim amount | Filing fee |
|---|---|
| $0 – $600 | $30 |
| $600.01 – $1,750 | $50 |
| $1,750.01 – $7,000 | $70 |
In-depth explanation
Removal to district court
Either party can demand the case be moved out of small claims and into the regular district court civil docket. After removal, both sides may use attorneys, formal discovery rules apply, and a jury trial becomes available.
Hearing format
Small claims hearings are short and informal. The judge or magistrate will ask each side what happened, review documents, and rule from the bench in most cases.
Collecting
Winning a judgment is not the same as getting paid. Common collection tools include wage garnishment, bank account garnishment, state tax-refund interception, and a creditor's examination of the debtor.
What trips people up
- Suing the wrong legal entity (e.g., a DBA instead of the LLC).
- Filing in the wrong district court.
- Bringing witnesses without their direct testimony — hearsay limits still apply loosely.
- Forgetting proof of service before the hearing.
- Asking the court for non-money relief like 'order them to fix it'.
Direct answers to common questions
How much can I sue for in Michigan small claims?+
Up to $7,000. Claims above that must be filed in regular district court or circuit court.
Can I have a lawyer in Michigan small claims?+
No attorneys appear in the small claims division. If anyone wants legal counsel, they must demand removal to the general district court docket.
How long does a small claims case take?+
Most hearings happen 30–60 days after filing. Removed cases follow the standard district court schedule (often 4–9 months).
What if I lose? Can I appeal?+
You cannot appeal a small claims judgment, but you can demand removal before the hearing. Removed-case judgments can be appealed.
Do I have to serve the defendant myself?+
No. Most courts handle service by certified mail; if it fails, a process server or sheriff completes service for a small fee.
Can a business sue in small claims?+
Yes, but a non-attorney officer or full-time employee must appear on behalf of the business.
What happens if the defendant doesn't show up?+
The court can enter a default judgment in your favor as long as service was proper.
How do I collect a small claims judgment?+
Use garnishment of wages or bank accounts, intercept state tax refunds, or request a creditor's examination.
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.