Courts · Small Claims
Small Claims Court Limit in Nebraska
The most you can sue for in Nebraska 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 Nebraska
The claim ceiling, how the filing fee is set, and whether lawyers are allowed at the hearing.
| Maximum claim | $7,500 |
| How the limit works | One statewide limit |
| Filing fee | ~$25–$35 per county court, plus a service cost; the county court clerk quotes the current figure for the court where you file |
| Lawyers at the hearing | Not allowedSelf-represent only You may not be represented by a lawyer in Nebraska small claims court. A partnership may appear through a partner or employee, and a corporation through an officer or employee, but none of them may be a lawyer acting as counsel. A party may file no more than two claims in any calendar week and no more than 10 in a calendar year. |
| Statute / court rule | Neb. Rev. Stat. §25-2802 (limit); §25-2803 (no attorneys) |
The $7,500 limit took effect July 1, 2025 under LB 139 and is set to be reviewed for an inflation adjustment (tied to the Consumer Price Index) at the next five-year interval. Older articles quoting $6,000 or $3,900 reflect prior figures.
Where to file in Nebraska
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 Nebraska's official court self-help resource.
→ Nebraska Judicial Branch (small claims)What Nebraska filers get wrong
Nebraska raised its small claims ceiling to $7,500 on July 1, 2025 under LB 139, up from $6,000, and Neb. Rev. Stat. §25-2802 states the figure plainly ("seven thousand five hundred dollars beginning July 1, 2025"). We confirmed it in the statute and in the Judicial Branch announcement. The limit is not fixed forever: it is reviewed for an inflation adjustment on a five-year cycle, so sites still quoting $6,000 or an older $3,900 are out of date. Nebraska is one of the strictest no-lawyer states. Under §25-2803 you may not be represented by an attorney in small claims. A business can appear through an officer or employee, but that person cannot be a lawyer acting as counsel. To keep the forum from being used as a collection mill, a party is limited to two claims a week and 10 a year. Filing fees are low, around $25 to $35 depending on the county court.
Common questions
What is the small claims limit in Nebraska?
Nebraska small claims courts hear claims up to $7,500, a figure that took effect July 1, 2025 under LB 139 (Neb. Rev. Stat. §25-2802). The previous limit was $6,000.
Can I have a lawyer in Nebraska small claims court?
No. Under §25-2803 you may not be represented by an attorney in small claims court. A partnership can appear through a partner or employee and a corporation through an officer or employee, but that representative cannot be a lawyer acting as counsel.
Does the Nebraska small claims limit change over time?
Yes. The limit is reviewed for an inflation adjustment on a five-year cycle tied to the Consumer Price Index. It rose to $7,500 on July 1, 2025, so always check the current figure before you rely on an older number.
How many small claims can I file in Nebraska?
A party may file no more than two small claims in any calendar week and no more than 10 in a calendar year. The cap keeps the simplified forum from being used for high-volume debt collection.
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.