Michigan Small Claims Court
Owed money in Michigan? Here's the dollar limit, the court that hears it, what filing costs — and a free demand letter to send first, which resolves many disputes without a case. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
Michigan small claims · as of 2026
- Maximum claim
- $7,000
- Court
- Small Claims Division of the District Court
- Filing fee
- Statutory tiers under MCL 600.8420: $25 (claims to $600), $45 ($600.01-$1,750), $65 (over $1,750); court fee schedules commonly show $30/$50/$70 with the statewide $5 electronic filing fee added.
- Lawyers at the hearing
- NOT allowed — MCL 600.8408(1) bars attorneys (except on their own behalf), collection agencies, and other representatives from taking part in filing, prosecution, or defense in the small claims division.
Source: MCL 600.8401 (limit); MCL 600.8408 (no attorneys); MCL 600.8420 (fees) · verify ↗. Limits and fees change — confirm with the Small Claims Division of the District Court clerk before filing.
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How to file in Michigan — the short version
- Demand first. Send the letter above by a trackable method and keep proof — judges expect it, and it often gets you paid without a case.
- File with the Small Claims Division of the District Court where the defendant lives or the dispute happened. Fee: Statutory tiers under MCL 600.8420: $25 (claims to $600), $45 ($600.01-$1,750), $65 (over $1,750); court fee schedules commonly show $30/$50/$70 with the statewide $5 electronic filing fee added..
- Serve the defendant the way Michigan rules require (clerk, sheriff, certified mail, or process server — ask the clerk). Bad service is the #1 way cases get thrown out.
- Bring evidence: contracts, invoices, photos, messages, this demand letter and its delivery proof, and any witnesses.
- Collect. If you win and they don't pay, ask the clerk about garnishment, levy, and liens.
Check the current Michigan small claims rules before filing.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I sue for in Michigan small claims court?
The limit is $7,000 (as of 2026). $7,000 for claims filed on or after January 1, 2024, under the statutory step schedule in MCL 600.8401 ($5,500 in 2015, $6,000 in 2018, $6,500 in 2021, $7,000 in 2024 — no further scheduled increases). Source: MCL 600.8401 (limit); MCL 600.8408 (no attorneys); MCL 600.8420 (fees). If you're owed more, you can sue in the regular civil court instead — or waive the excess and stay in small claims, which is usually faster and cheaper.
Where do I file?
In Michigan, small claims cases are heard by the Small Claims Division of the District Court, generally in the county (or district) where the defendant lives or where the dispute happened. Filing fee: Statutory tiers under MCL 600.8420: $25 (claims to $600), $45 ($600.01-$1,750), $65 (over $1,750); court fee schedules commonly show $30/$50/$70 with the statewide $5 electronic filing fee added.. Check the exact venue rule when you file — filing in the wrong place gets cases dismissed.
Can I bring a lawyer?
In Michigan: NOT allowed — MCL 600.8408(1) bars attorneys (except on their own behalf), collection agencies, and other representatives from taking part in filing, prosecution, or defense in the small claims division.. Either way, small claims procedure is deliberately informal — you present your story, your documents, and your witnesses directly to the judge.
What happens if I win but they don't pay?
A judgment isn't a check — if the defendant doesn't pay voluntarily, you enforce it: wage garnishment, bank levy, or property liens, depending on Michigan law. The court clerk can point you to the forms. Judgments also accrue interest and stay enforceable for years, so a stubborn debtor doesn't run out the clock quickly.
How does Michigan compare? See the small claims limits in all 50 states, every figure cited to statute.
How Michigan compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Michigan: MCL 600.8401 (limit); MCL 600.8408 (no attorneys); MCL 600.8420 (fees) ↗.
- Small claims limit
Small claims limit: $7,000 — below the national median of $10,000 across the 51 states with a statutory rule.
Ranked #32 of 51 states (tied with 2) — higher means larger disputes can use the small claims process.
2 other states use the same figure.
Small claims limit in neighboring states — Indiana ($10,000), Ohio ($6,000), Wisconsin ($10,000).
The rest of what Michigan requires
The figures below are Michigan's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full Michigan page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- 1.5 months' rent Mich. Comp. Laws §554.602 ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 30 days after move-out Mich. Comp. Laws §554.602 ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days Mich. Comp. Laws §554.602 ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 7 days to pay or quit MCL 554.134 ↗
- Notice to cure a lease violation · as of 2026
- 30 days MCL 554.134 ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- No statutory limit Michigan Legislature ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required Michigan SoS / DMV.ORG ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization required Mich. Comp. Laws §556.205 (form §556.401) ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules MCL 450.4102(2)(r) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- County Register of Deeds · no witnesses MCL 565.8 ↗
Small claims guide in other states
More Michigan legal forms
Different state? See small claims rules by state →