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Small Claims Court Limit in Massachusetts

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

Official statuteRead word-for-word
against M.G.L. c.218 §21 · mass.gov
Read from the official source · Jul 9, 2026How we verify →
Our researchMassachusetts ranks #6 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 Massachusetts small claims checker →

Maximum small claim · Massachusetts
$7,000
Lawyers allowed
Maximum claim$7,000
Filing fee$40 / $50 / $100 / $150
Lawyers at hearingAllowed
Statute / court ruleM.G.L. c.218 §21

The limit, the fee & who can appear in Massachusetts

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

Maximum claim$7,000
How the limit worksOne statewide limit
Filing fee$40 / $50 / $100 / $150
by claim tier ($40 up to $500; $50 for $501–$2,000; $100 for $2,001–$5,000; $150 for $5,001–$7,000)
Lawyers at the hearingAllowed
Statute / court ruleM.G.L. c.218 §21; Uniform Small Claims Rules
Which court?

The $7,000 cap does NOT apply to claims for property damage caused by a motor vehicle; those can exceed $7,000. And statutory multipliers (e.g. the c.93A double/treble-damages provision) can push a final award above $7,000 even when the base claim is within the limit.

Where to file in Massachusetts

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

Filing in Massachusetts?

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 Massachusetts's official court self-help resource.

→ Mass.gov Small Claims

What Massachusetts filers get wrong

Massachusetts sets its small-claims ceiling at $7,000 under G.L. c.218 §21, but two exceptions keep it from being a hard wall. First, the $7,000 limit doesn't apply to claims for property damage caused by a motor vehicle; those can be brought for more. Second, Massachusetts is a consumer-protection state: statutory multipliers such as the Chapter 93A double- or treble-damages provision can lift a final award above $7,000 even when the underlying claim fits within the limit. Lawyers are allowed, though most claimants appear on their own, and the filing fee is tiered from $40 to $150 by claim size. This page is marked draft: the figures line up across reputable sources, but the official state sites blocked automated access at review time, so we're holding it for human confirmation.

Common questions

What is the small claims limit in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts small claims covers most disputes up to $7,000 under G.L. c.218 §21. The cap does not apply to claims for property damage caused by a motor vehicle, which may exceed $7,000.

Can a Massachusetts small claims award be more than $7,000?

Yes, in two situations: motor-vehicle property-damage claims are not capped at $7,000, and statutory multipliers such as Chapter 93A double or treble damages can raise a final award above $7,000 even if the base claim was within the limit.

How much does it cost to file small claims in Massachusetts?

The fee is tiered by amount: $40 for claims up to $500, $50 for $501–$2,000, $100 for $2,001–$5,000, and $150 for $5,001–$7,000.

Do I need a lawyer for small claims in Massachusetts?

No. Massachusetts small claims is designed for self-represented parties, and most claimants appear on their own. Lawyers are allowed if you want one.

Primary source
→ M.G.L. c.218 §21; Uniform Small Claims Rules
Mass.gov · mass.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 Massachusetts law

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

Small-claims limits · other states
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