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Small Claims Court Limit in Michigan

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

Official statuteRead word-for-word
against MCL §600.8401 · 36thdistrictcourtmi.gov
Read from the official source · Jul 9, 2026How we verify →
Our researchMichigan ranks #41 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 Michigan small claims checker →

Maximum small claim · Michigan
$7,000
No lawyers at hearing
Maximum claim$7,000
Filing fee$30–$70
Lawyers at hearingNot allowed
Statute / court ruleMCL §600.8401

The limit, the fee & who can appear in Michigan

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$30–$70
by claim tier ($30 up to $600; $50 for $601–$1,750; $70 for $1,751–$7,000), plus about $16 per defendant for certified mail
Lawyers at the hearingNot allowedSelf-represent only
The small-claims division bars attorneys. The right to a lawyer is waived when you use it. If either side wants a lawyer, the case can be moved to the regular district-court civil docket instead.
Statute / court ruleMCL §600.8401

Where to file in Michigan

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

Filing in Michigan?

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 Michigan's official court self-help resource.

→ Michigan Legal Help

What Michigan filers get wrong

Michigan's small-claims division hears claims up to $7,000 under MCL §600.8401, and it comes with a trade-off people don't always expect: no lawyers. Using the small-claims division means both sides waive the right to be represented by an attorney. It's designed to be handled by the parties themselves. If either side insists on a lawyer, the case gets removed to the regular district-court civil docket, where representation is allowed but the process is more formal. The 36th District Court (Detroit) states the $7,000 figure and the attorney-waiver rule directly. Fees are tiered by claim size ($30/$50/$70) plus about $16 per defendant for certified-mail service. The $7,000 ceiling took effect in 2024 (up from $6,500); the statute provides for periodic adjustment.

Common questions

What is the small claims limit in Michigan?

Michigan’s small-claims division hears claims up to $7,000 under MCL §600.8401. The figure is adjusted periodically and rose to $7,000 in 2024.

Can I bring a lawyer to small claims court in Michigan?

No. Using the small-claims division waives the right to an attorney for both sides. If you want a lawyer, the case must be moved to the regular district-court civil docket instead.

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

The fee is tiered: $30 for claims up to $600, $50 for $601–$1,750, and $70 for $1,751–$7,000, plus about $16 per defendant for certified-mail service.

What if my Michigan claim is more than $7,000?

It cannot use the small-claims division. You would file a regular civil case in district court (which handles claims up to $25,000), where lawyers are allowed and the procedure is more formal.

Primary source
→ MCL §600.8401
36th District Court · 36thdistrictcourtmi.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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