How much can you sue for in small claims court? It depends on the state. The limits run from $2,500 in Kentucky to $25,000 in Delaware and Tennessee. Half of the states allow claims up to about $10,000 or more. Filing fees are usually between $30 and $100, and in many states they depend on how much you ask for.
The table shows the 2026 limit for people, the limit for businesses where it is different, the filing fee range, whether lawyers can appear, and the deadline to sue over a written contract. Click a state for the full guide: forms, where to file, how to serve the other side, and a free demand letter.
| State | Limit (people) | Limit (businesses) | Filing fee | Lawyers | Deadline: written contract |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $6,000 | Same | $77–$255 | Optional | 6 years |
| Alaska | $10,000 | Same | $50–$100 | Optional | 3 years |
| Arizona | $5,000 | Same | $58–$60 | No lawyers | 6 years |
| Arkansas | $5,000 | Same | $65–$68 | No lawyers | 5 years |
| California | $12,500 | $6,250 | $30–$75 | No lawyers | 4 years |
| Colorado | $7,500 | Same | $31–$55 | No lawyers | 3 years |
| Connecticut | $5,000 | Same | $95 | Optional | 6 years |
| Delaware | $25,000 | Same | $35–$45 | Optional | 3 years |
| District of Columbia | $10,000 | Same | $5–$45 | Optional | 3 years |
| Florida | $8,000 | Same | $55–$300 | Optional | 5 years |
| Georgia | $15,000 | Same | $95–$115 | Optional | 6 years |
| Hawaii | $5,000 | Same | $35 | Optional | 6 years |
| Idaho | $15,000 | Same | $69 | No lawyers | 5 years |
| Illinois | $10,000 | Same | $94–$379 | Optional | 10 years |
| Indiana | $10,000 | Same | $97–$125 | Optional | 10 years |
| Iowa | $6,500 | Same | $115 | Optional | 10 years |
| Kansas | $10,000 | Same | $48–$70 | No lawyers | 5 years |
| Kentucky | $2,500 | Same | $58 | Optional | 10 years |
| Louisiana | $5,000 | Same | $87–$130 | Optional | 10 years |
| Maine | $10,000 | Same | $70 | Optional | 6 years |
| Maryland | $5,000 | Same | $44 | Optional | 3 years |
| Massachusetts | $7,000 | Same | $40–$150 | Optional | 6 years |
| Michigan | $7,000 | Same | $30–$70 | No lawyers | 6 years |
| Minnesota | $20,000 | Same | $65 | Optional | 6 years |
| Mississippi | $3,500 | Same | $85 | Optional | 3 years |
| Missouri | $5,000 | Same | $20–$100 | Optional | 10 years |
| Montana | $7,000 | Same | $30 | No lawyers | 8 years |
| Nebraska | $7,500 | Same | $30 | No lawyers | 5 years |
| Nevada | $10,000 | Same | $55–$196 | Optional | 6 years |
| New Hampshire | $10,000 | Same | $90–$145 | Optional | 3 years |
| New Jersey | $5,000 | Same | $35–$45 | Optional | 6 years |
| New Mexico | $10,000 | Same | $77 | Optional | 6 years |
| New York | $10,000 | Same | $10–$20 | Optional | 6 years |
| North Carolina | $10,000 | Same | $96–$126 | Optional | 3 years |
| North Dakota | $15,000 | Same | $20 | Optional | 6 years |
| Ohio | $6,000 | Same | $37–$124 | Optional | 6 years |
| Oklahoma | $10,000 | Same | $58–$225 | Optional | 5 years |
| Oregon | $10,000 | Same | $57–$102 | No lawyers | 6 years |
| Pennsylvania | $12,000 | Same | $95–$228 | Optional | 4 years |
| Rhode Island | $5,000 | Same | $76 | Optional | 10 years |
| South Carolina | $7,500 | Same | $80 | Optional | 3 years |
| South Dakota | $12,000 | Same | $25–$43 | Optional | 6 years |
| Tennessee | $25,000 | Same | $146–$269 | Optional | 6 years |
| Texas | $20,000 | Same | $54 | Optional | 4 years |
| Utah | $20,000 | Same | $60–$185 | Optional | 6 years |
| Vermont | $10,000 | Same | $65–$90 | Optional | 6 years |
| Virginia | $5,000 | Same | $46–$55 | No lawyers | 5 years |
| Washington | $10,000 | $5,000 | $35–$50 | No lawyers | 6 years |
| West Virginia | $20,000 | Same | $30–$50 | Optional | 10 years |
| Wisconsin | $10,000 | Same | $95 | Optional | 6 years |
| Wyoming | $6,000 | Same | $10 | Optional | 10 years |
The limit is the most you can ask a small claims court to award. If you are owed more, you can usually give up the extra amount and still use small claims, or file in a higher court where the rules are stricter. You cannot split one debt into several smaller cases to stay under the limit.
In 12 states, people must speak for themselves at a small claims hearing: Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Virginia, Washington. In the rest, a lawyer is allowed but rarely needed.
Most courts expect you to ask for the money in writing first. A short, polite demand letter often gets you paid without going to court at all. Every state guide on this site includes a free demand letter you can fill in and download as a PDF or Word file.
Limits and fees change, and some counties charge more. Always confirm the current numbers with your local court before you file.