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Small Claims Court Limit in Kentucky

The most you can sue for in Kentucky small claims, with the filing-fee range and whether a lawyer is allowed, cited to the statute.

Official statuteRead word-for-word
against KRS §24A.230(1) · apps.legislature.ky.gov
Read from the official source · Jul 11, 2026How we verify →
Our researchKentucky ranks #50 of 50 in our Consumer Protection Index, an original score read from the statutes.

Have a number in mind? See if your claim fits in the Kentucky small claims checker →

Maximum small claim · Kentucky
$2,500
Lawyers allowed
Maximum claim$2,500
Filing fee~$25–$30 filing fee, plus service costs
Lawyers at hearingAllowed
Statute / court ruleKRS §24A.230(1)

The limit, the fee & who can appear in Kentucky

The claim ceiling, how the filing fee is set, and whether lawyers are allowed at the hearing.

Maximum claim$2,500
How the limit worksOne statewide limit
Filing fee~$25–$30 filing fee, plus service costs
by county; the district court clerk sets the local fee, and sheriff service can add roughly $25–$50
Lawyers at the hearingAllowed
Attorneys are permitted for either side in the small claims division. Individuals usually appear on their own because the process is informal, while corporations commonly appear through counsel. Kentucky also caps how many small claims one plaintiff may file per calendar year under KRS §24A.250.
Statute / court ruleKRS §24A.230(1)
Recent or pending change

At $2,500 Kentucky has one of the lowest small claims ceilings in the country (tied with Rhode Island), and it has not been raised since 1976. Watch for bills that would increase it.

Where to file in Kentucky

A reference page, not a filing walkthrough: here's the official resource for procedure.

Filing in Kentucky?

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 Kentucky's official court self-help resource.

→ Kentucky Court of Justice (small claims)

What Kentucky filers get wrong

Kentucky runs small claims through the small claims division of the district court in each county, and the cap is $2,500 under KRS §24A.230(1). That figure is corroborated by the Kentucky Court of Justice small claims materials and the current statute text, which describe jurisdiction over claims where the money or value of personal property "does not exceed two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), exclusive of interest and costs." The $2,500 ceiling is among the lowest in the nation, tied with Rhode Island, and it has stood since 1976. Filing fees are low, roughly $25 to $30 depending on the county, plus the cost of serving the other party. Lawyers are allowed but most people handle these cases on their own.

Common questions

What is the small claims limit in Kentucky?

Kentucky small claims cover claims of $2,500 or less under KRS §24A.230, exclusive of interest and costs. That is one of the lowest ceilings in the country and has not changed since 1976.

How much does it cost to file a small claim in Kentucky?

Filing fees are low, roughly $25 to $30, set by the district court clerk in the county where you file. You also pay to serve the defendant, which can add about $25 to $50 if a sheriff serves the papers.

Can I use a lawyer in Kentucky small claims court?

Yes. Attorneys are allowed for either side in the small claims division. Most individuals represent themselves because the process is informal, while corporations often appear through counsel.

What happens if my claim is more than $2,500 in Kentucky?

A claim above $2,500 cannot use the small claims division. It goes on the regular district court civil docket (up to $5,000) or to circuit court for larger amounts. You may instead waive the excess and sue for $2,500 to stay in small claims.

How many small claims can I file in Kentucky?

Kentucky limits how many small claims a single plaintiff may bring in the same court per calendar year under KRS §24A.250. This mainly affects frequent filers such as businesses; most people never reach the cap.

Primary source
→ KRS §24A.230(1)
Kentucky Revised Statutes (Legislative Research Commission) · apps.legislature.ky.gov
Cholilurrohman
Every figure on this page is checked line-by-line against the current statute. Editorial standards →

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.

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More Kentucky law

Other everyday-law questions we answer for Kentucky, each from the state's own statute and cited to the source.

Small-claims limits · other states
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