Small Claims Court Limits & Fees by State
Small claims court is designed to be used without a lawyer — but the dollar limit, the filing fee and even whether an attorney may appear vary sharply by state. Texas justice courts hear claims to $20,000; Ohio's small claims divisions stop at $6,000; New York's limit depends on which court you are in.
This hub collects the current limits, fee schedules and court names for the ten largest states, each verified against the state judiciary or statute. Filing fees are usually tiered by claim amount and are recoverable as court costs if you win.
Small Claims by state
| State | Claim limit | Verified |
|---|---|---|
| California | $12,500 individuals / $6,250 businesses | 2026-08-24 |
| Texas | $20,000 | 2026-08-24 |
| Florida | $8,000 | 2026-08-24 |
| New York | $10,000 NYC / $5,000 city courts / $3,000 town & village courts | 2026-08-24 |
| Pennsylvania | $12,000 | 2026-08-24 |
| Illinois | $10,000 | 2026-08-24 |
| Ohio | $6,000 | 2026-08-24 |
| Georgia | $15,000 | 2026-08-24 |
| North Carolina | up to $10,000 (set per county: $5,000–$10,000) | 2026-08-24 |
| Michigan | $7,000 | 2026-08-24 |
Click a state for the full picture — fees, requirements, process steps, official forms and sources.
How small claims court works
You file a short claim form with the correct local court, pay a filing fee (commonly $30–$170), arrange service on the defendant, and present your evidence at an informal hearing. Rules of evidence are relaxed, hearings are short, and judgment often issues the same day.
Winning a judgment and collecting it are different things: courts do not collect for you. Wage garnishment, bank levies and liens are separate post-judgment procedures with their own fees.
Attorney rules differ
California and Michigan generally prohibit lawyers from representing parties at the small claims hearing. Most other states allow them but the forum is built for self-representation. Business entities face special rules — in Illinois, a corporation generally needs a lawyer to sue.
Tools & comparisons
- Small Claims calculator — official fees separated from estimates
- Small Claims Court Limits by State
State guides
- California Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees & Process — California
- Texas Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees & Process — Texas
- Florida Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees & Process — Florida
- New York Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees & Process — New York
- Pennsylvania Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees & Process — Pennsylvania
- Illinois Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees & Process — Illinois
- Ohio Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees & Process — Ohio
- Georgia Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees & Process — Georgia
- North Carolina Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees & Process — North Carolina
- Michigan Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees & Process — Michigan
LawLintel provides general legal information, not legal advice. Laws, rules, procedures and fees change and can depend on your specific facts and county. Verify important information with the applicable court or a qualified attorney before acting.