Courts · Small Claims
Small Claims Court Limit in Tennessee
The most you can sue for in Tennessee 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 Tennessee
The claim ceiling, how the filing fee is set, and whether lawyers are allowed at the hearing.
| Maximum claim | $25,000 |
| How the limit works | One statewide limit |
| Filing fee | ~$120–$250 total (about $42 statutory base plus county costs and service) the statutory general sessions civil base fee is about $42, but county litigation taxes and sheriff service push the real total to roughly $120 to $250 depending on the county |
| Lawyers at the hearing | Allowed |
| Statute / court rule | Tenn. Code §16-15-501 |
Tennessee has no separate small claims court. The general sessions court hears these cases, and §16-15-501 sets its civil jurisdiction at $25,000. Two case types have NO dollar cap: forcible entry and detainer (eviction) and actions to recover personal property both carry "unlimited original jurisdiction," including an alternative money judgment. Note also that four urban counties (Anderson, Davidson, Hamilton, and Knox) are widely reported to cap general sessions civil cases at $15,000 rather than $25,000, so confirm the ceiling with the county clerk if your case is in one of those.
Where to file in Tennessee
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 Tennessee's official court self-help resource.
→ Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts (Self-Help Center)What Tennessee filers get wrong
Tennessee is a special case, and answering "what's the small claims limit?" honestly means explaining a court, not just a number. There is no separate small claims court here. The general sessions court, often called "the people's court," handles these cases, and §16-15-501 sets its civil jurisdiction at $25,000, the highest such ceiling in the country. But the statute carves out two situations with no dollar limit at all: eviction cases (forcible entry and detainer) and actions to recover personal property both carry "unlimited original jurisdiction," including the power to award an alternative money judgment. So the $25,000 figure governs ordinary money claims, while a suit to get your property back is not capped. We confirmed the $25,000 limit and both unlimited-jurisdiction carve-outs against the official University of Tennessee county government reference, which tracks §16-15-501. One caution: four urban counties (Anderson, Davidson, Hamilton, and Knox) are widely reported to cap general sessions civil cases at $15,000, so confirm the ceiling with the clerk if your case sits in one of them. Lawyers are allowed on either side.
Common questions
What is the small claims limit in Tennessee?
For ordinary money claims it is $25,000, the highest in the country. Tennessee has no separate small claims court, so these cases go to the general sessions court, whose civil jurisdiction is set at $25,000 by Tenn. Code §16-15-501.
Is there really no limit for some Tennessee cases?
Correct. The statute gives general sessions court unlimited original jurisdiction in two situations: eviction (forcible entry and detainer) and actions to recover personal property. In those, there is no dollar cap, and the court can even award an alternative money judgment.
Is the Tennessee limit always $25,000?
Not everywhere. The statutory figure is $25,000, but four urban counties (Anderson, Davidson, Hamilton, and Knox) are widely reported to cap general sessions civil cases at $15,000. If your case is in one of those counties, confirm the ceiling with the court clerk before you file.
How much does it cost to file in general sessions court in Tennessee?
The statutory base fee for a general sessions civil case is about $42, but county litigation taxes and sheriff service costs push the real total to roughly $120 to $250 depending on the county. Ask the clerk in your county for the exact amount, including any charge for each additional defendant.
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.