Michigan Small Claims Court: Rules, Limits, and How It Works

What Michigan Small Claims Court Actually Is

Michigan's Small Claims Division sits inside the District Court system. Every one of Michigan's 100-plus district courts runs a small claims docket, and a handful of municipal courts (mostly in Macomb and Wayne County) do as well.

The forum exists for one thing: money judgments. You can sue for up to $7,000 — the limit that took effect January 1, 2024 under MCL 600.8401. If someone owes you money for a broken contract, property damage, an unpaid invoice, or a withheld security deposit, this is the place. What you cannot get here is an injunction, a court order forcing someone to do something, the return of personal property, or an eviction. Those require the General Civil or Landlord-Tenant divisions.

Who Can File — and Who Cannot

Any individual, sole proprietor, partnership, or corporation can bring a claim. But Michigan explicitly bars collection agencies, assignees, and third-party debt buyers from the small claims division under MCL 600.8407. If you bought someone else's debt, you cannot use this court.

Claims involving fraud, libel, slander, assault, battery, or other intentional torts are also excluded under MCL 600.8424. Those belong in the general civil division.

What You Give Up by Filing Here

Small claims court is fast and informal, but the trade-off is real. By filing, you waive:

• Attorney representation at trial — lawyers cannot participate in filing, prosecuting, or defending a small claims case (MCL 600.8408). You can get legal advice beforehand, but you appear alone.
• Jury trial — the magistrate or judge decides.
• Formal rules of evidence — the court accepts relevant documents directly.
• Appeal rights if a judge hears your case — a judge's decision is final. Only magistrate decisions can be appealed (within 7 calendar days) for a new hearing before a judge.

Either side can demand removal to the general civil division before trial starts, which restores all of these rights — but also adds formal discovery, longer timelines, and the general civil filing fee differential.

Filing Fees

Fees are based on how much you are claiming:

Each fee includes a $5 electronic filing system charge under MCL 600.176. Certified mail service adds roughly $10–15 per defendant. If you cannot afford the fee, Form MC 20 lets you request a waiver — eligibility includes receiving SNAP, Medicaid, FIP/TANF, WIC, SSI, or other means-tested public assistance; being represented by legal aid; or having gross household income at or below 125% of the federal poverty guidelines.

The Basic Process

1. Send a demand letter. Not legally required for every claim, but it establishes your timeline, documents the amount owed, and shows the court you tried to resolve things first.
2. File Form DC 84 (Affidavit and Claim) at the district court where the defendant lives, works, or where the dispute happened. Sign it under oath in front of the clerk or a notary.
3. Serve the defendant. The court sends your paperwork by certified mail, or you arrange personal service through a process server or court officer. Service must happen at least 7 calendar days before the hearing.
4. Attend the hearing. Bring three copies of every piece of evidence — one for the judge, one for the other side, one for yourself. The judge or magistrate hears both sides and decides.
5. Collect or appeal. If you win, the defendant should pay. If they do not, you move to enforcement (garnishments, writs of execution). If a magistrate heard your case and you lost, you have 7 calendar days to appeal for a fresh hearing before a judge.

Where to File

Venue rules under MCL 600.8415 say you file in the district where the defendant lives or is established, where they work, or where the dispute happened. With multiple defendants in different districts, you must file where at least one of them lives or is established — you cannot file solely where the dispute occurred.

Filing in the wrong court can result in your case being transferred or dismissed.

What Happens at the Hearing

The judge or magistrate puts everyone under oath, hears the plaintiff's side first, then the defendant's response. The bench officer can ask questions directly. Formal evidence rules do not apply, but organized, clear documentation carries weight. Written witness letters are treated as hearsay — bring witnesses in person whenever possible.

If the defendant does not show up after valid service, the court enters a default judgment after you present sworn testimony or documentary proof establishing a prima facie case. If the plaintiff does not show up, the case is dismissed without prejudice, or with prejudice for a repeat default.

Getting Started

The procedural details — filling out Form DC 84 correctly, naming the right defendant, tracking service deadlines, and organizing your evidence — are where most self-represented filers stumble. Our Michigan small claims filing guide walks through each step with printable worksheets for service tracking, exhibit indexing, and deadline management.

See more Michigan guides →