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	$6,000
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	$10,000
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	$10,000
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.

For the information, tips, and strategies you need to sue someone successfully in small claims court, see Everybody's Guide to Small Claims Court, by Ralph Warner (Nolo).