Courts · Small Claims
Small Claims Court Limit in Indiana
The most you can sue for in Indiana small claims — with the filing-fee range and whether a lawyer is allowed, cited to the statute.
The limit, the fee & who can appear in Indiana
The claim ceiling, how the filing fee is set, and whether lawyers are allowed at the hearing.
| Maximum claim | $10,000 |
| How the limit works | One statewide limit |
| Filing fee | ~$35–$100 by county and court; each county sets its own filing and service costs, and some publish a single combined figure near $97 while others fall lower |
| Lawyers at the hearing | Allowed Individuals may represent themselves or hire a lawyer. For businesses, a corporation, LLC, or similar entity may appear through a non-attorney officer or employee only on claims of $1,500 or less; above $1,500 the entity generally must be represented by an Indiana-admitted attorney (Ind. Small Claims Rule 8(C)). |
| Statute / court rule | Ind. Code §33-29-2-4 (statewide); §33-28-3-4 (circuit court docket); §33-34-3-2 (Marion County) |
The statewide cap is $10,000 in the small claims docket of the circuit and superior courts (IC 33-29-2-4 / IC 33-28-3-4). Marion County (Indianapolis) is the exception: it runs nine separate township small claims courts under IC 33-34, and their cap is $8,000, not $10,000. So the honest answer statewide is $10,000, with a lower $8,000 ceiling if your case belongs in a Marion County township court.
Where to file in Indiana
A reference page, not a filing walkthrough — here's the official resource for procedure.
This page is a reference for the dollar limit, fee, and whether a lawyer is allowed — not a step-by-step filing guide. For the forms, where to file, and how service works, use Indiana's official court self-help resource.
→ Indiana Judicial Branch small claims manualWhat Indiana filers get wrong
Indiana's small-claims cap is $10,000 in most of the state, set in the small claims docket of the circuit and superior courts under IC 33-29-2-4. The statute text says the docket has jurisdiction where the amount sought is "not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000)." Indiana has a genuine local wrinkle: Marion County (Indianapolis) does not use that structure. It runs nine separate township small claims courts under IC 33-34, each with its own elected judge, and their limit is $8,000, not $10,000, in effect since July 1, 2015. So the accurate statewide answer is $10,000, with the caveat that a case filed in a Marion County township court tops out at $8,000. Filing fees are set county by county and vary widely, roughly $35 to $100 once service is included. Individuals may bring a lawyer or go it alone; businesses face a representation rule tied to the $1,500 mark. We could not open the official .gov statute pages verbatim during this review, so the page is flagged as draft while the figures are corroborated across the statute text and Indiana court materials.
Common questions
What is the small claims limit in Indiana?
The statewide cap is $10,000 in the circuit and superior court small claims docket under IC 33-29-2-4. Marion County (Indianapolis) is the exception, with an $8,000 cap in its township small claims courts.
Why is the Marion County small claims limit lower?
Marion County runs nine separate township small claims courts under a different statute (IC 33-34), and the legislature set their jurisdictional cap at $8,000, in effect since July 1, 2015. The rest of Indiana uses the $10,000 circuit and superior court docket.
Can a business file in Indiana small claims court without a lawyer?
On claims of $1,500 or less, a corporation or LLC may appear through a non-attorney officer or employee. Above $1,500, the business generally must be represented by an Indiana-admitted attorney under Small Claims Rule 8(C). Individuals may always represent themselves.
How much is the filing fee for small claims in Indiana?
It varies by county and court. Each county sets its own filing and service costs, so the total ranges from roughly $35 up to about $100. Some counties publish a single combined figure near $97. Check with the clerk where you plan to file.
Where do I file a small claims case in Indiana?
In most counties, on the small claims docket of the circuit or superior court. In Marion County, in the township small claims court for the township tied to your case. File where the defendant lives, does business, or where the dispute happened.
Not legal advicePlainStatute provides plain-language summaries of public law for general information only. This is not legal advice. Statutes change; always confirm current requirements with the official source linked above before acting.