Washington State Small Claims Court: How It Works
How small claims works in Washington district courts, dollar limits, the $35 filing fee, who can appear, and how the informal hearing turns into an enforceable judgment.
Filing a Case
Virginia Small Claims Court: Limits, Filing, and Procedure
Virginia’s small claims division of general district court is a money-only forum capped at $5,000. Parties represent themselves, the rules of evidence step aside, and a defendant can remove to general district court at any time before the judge rules.
New Jersey Small Claims Court: How It Works
What small claims is in New Jersey, who can use it, where cases are filed, and how a $5,000-or-less dispute moves from complaint to judgment to collection.
Michigan Small Claims Court: How It Works
Michigan’s small claims division handles money disputes up to $7,000 through a simplified district court procedure: filing by affidavit, no attorneys at the hearing, and a 7-day window to demand a new hearing if a magistrate decided the case.
North Carolina Small Claims Court: Magistrate Court Limits and Procedure
An orientation to North Carolina’s small claim track: the $10,000 magistrate court, 30-day trial schedule, and the right to appeal to district court for a trial de novo.
Georgia Small Claims Court: Magistrate Court Limits and Procedure
Georgia’s magistrate courts hear civil claims up to $15,000 without juries. This reference covers filing, service, default judgments, and appeals.
Ohio Small Claims Court: How It Works
Ohio’s small claims divisions sit inside each municipal and county court, with a jurisdictional limit of $6,000 raised in 2025. This reference covers what fits, where to file, how a case proceeds, and what happens after judgment.
Illinois Small Claims Court: How It Works
An Illinois state-level hub on small claims: the $10,000 limit, venue and counties, filing fees and waivers, service of process, and the hearing.
Pennsylvania Small Claims Court: How It Works
An orientation to Pennsylvania’s magisterial district court system for civil money claims up to $12,000: jurisdictional limits, complaint requirements, hearings, and the 30-day appeal window.
New York Small Claims Court: How It Works
An orientation to New York’s four small claims forums, town and village justice courts, city courts, district courts, and the NYC Civil Court, covering dollar limits, filing fees, and how cases move from filing to judgment.
Florida Small Claims Court: Limits, Fees, and Procedure
How Florida small claims works inside the county court system, jurisdictional limits, fees, the pretrial conference and mediation step, and what happens after a judgment.
Texas Small Claims Court: How Justice Courts Work
Texas consolidated small claims into the justice courts in 2013. A procedural reference covering jurisdiction, filing, fees, service, hearings, judgments, and collection in Texas justice courts.