How Much Can I Sue for in Small Claims Court?
Small claims court dollar limits in your state.
Small Claims Court Limits for the 50 States*
|
State
|
Dollar Limit
|
|
Alabama
|
$3,000
|
|
Alaska
|
$10,000
|
|
Arizona
|
$2,500
|
|
Arkansas
|
$5,000
|
|
California
|
$7,500, except that a plaintiff may not file a claim over $2,500 more than twice a year and plaintiff must be an individual (limit for local public entity or for businesses is $5,000). $4,000 is the limit for suits involving a surety company or a licensed contractor.
|
|
Colorado
|
$7,500
|
|
Connecticut
|
$5,000 (except in landlord-tenant security deposit claims).
|
|
Delaware
|
$15,000
|
|
District of Columbia
|
$5,000
|
|
Florida
|
$5,000
|
|
Georgia
|
$15,000 (no limit in eviction cases).
|
|
Hawaii
|
$3,500; no limit in landlord-tenant residential security deposit cases. For return of leased or rented personal property, the property must not be worth more than $3,500.
|
|
Idaho
|
$5,000
|
|
Illinois
|
$10,000
|
|
Indiana
|
$6,000
|
|
Iowa
|
$5,000
|
|
Kansas
|
$4,000
|
|
Kentucky
|
$1,500
|
|
Louisiana
|
$3,000 (city court); $5,000 (justice of the peace, but no limit on eviction cases).
|
|
Maine
|
$4,500
|
|
Maryland
|
$5,000
|
|
Massachusetts
|
$2,000; no limit for property damage caused by motor vehicle.
|
|
Michigan
|
$3,000
|
|
Minnesota
|
$7,500 ($4,000 for claims based on a personal or household consumer credit transaction).
|
|
Mississippi
|
$3,500
|
|
Missouri
|
$3,000
|
|
Montana
|
$3,000
|
|
Nebraska
|
$2,700 (adjusted every five years based on the Consumer Price Index, next increase 7/1/10)
|
|
Nevada
|
$5,000
|
|
New Hampshire
|
$5,000
|
|
New Jersey
|
$3,000 ($5,000 for claims relating to security deposits).
|
|
New Mexico
|
$10,000
|
|
New York
|
$5,000 ($3,000 in town and village courts)
|
|
North Carolina
|
$5,000
|
|
North Dakota
|
$5,000
|
|
Ohio
|
$3,000
|
|
Oklahoma
|
$6,000
|
|
Oregon
|
$7,500
|
|
Pennsylvania
|
$8,000 ($10,000 in Philadelphia)
|
|
Rhode Island
|
$2,500
|
|
South Carolina
|
$7,500
|
|
South Dakota
|
$12,000
|
|
Tennessee
|
$25,000; no limit in eviction suits or suits to recover personal property.
|
|
Texas
|
$10,000
|
|
Utah
|
$7,500
|
|
Vermont
|
$5,000
|
|
Virginia
|
$5,000
|
|
Washington
|
$5,000
|
|
West Virginia
|
$5,000
|
|
Wisconsin
|
$5,000; no limit in eviction suits.
|
|
Wyoming
|
$5,000
|
*Check your state's website for any special rules or exclusions.
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