- Claim limit
- $7,000
- Court
- District Court
- File online
- Yes (statewide)
- Appeal window
- 7 days
Common questions
Who can I sue in small claims court in Michigan?
An individual or a business, as long as your claim is within the $7,000 limit. You must name and serve the correct legal person or entity.
How much can I sue for in Michigan?
Up to $7,000, excluding costs awarded by the court. Over that, you can waive the excess and still use small claims.
Do I need a lawyer to sue in Michigan small claims?
No — small claims is designed for self-representation.
What are the steps to sue someone in Michigan?
Send a demand, file your county's claim form in District Court, pay the fee, and serve the defendant. We prepare the demand and the filing from the same facts.
Serving the defendant
The plaintiff chooses the method: the court clerk can mail the notice by certified mail for a fee, or the plaintiff may hire a process server or court officer to personally serve the defendant.
- Certified mail, restricted delivery, arranged by the court clerk for a fee paid by the plaintiff
- Personal service by a sheriff, court officer, or licensed process server hired by the plaintiff
- Personal service by any competent adult who is not a party to the case
If the defendant was not properly served by the hearing date, the hearing is typically adjourned and a new hearing date is set rather than the case proceeding to default judgment.
Pick the county where you'll sue
Small claims is filed at the county level. Pick your county for its court, fee, and forms — or start your claim and we'll ask where you'd sue.
Start my claimYour small claims filing packet — $49
Everything above, assembled and filled in with your facts:
- Your court's own forms, with your claim written in the language the court expects
- A demand letter built from the same facts
- A filing checklist with your court's address, hours, and fee
- What to bring to your hearing
Answer a few questions first. See your claim written out before you pay anything.
Reviewed by Small Claims Desk · Last reviewed 2026-08-23 · Sourced from Michigan judiciary self-help resources and each county's clerk of court and MCL 600.8401 (Small Claims Division; $7,000 limit effective January 1, 2024, up from $6,500 in 2021, $6,000 in 2018, $5,500 in 2015, $5,000 in 2012). See how we verify.